Most people think I ride my bike with my kids because I like to exercise or because I want to combat climate change. Neither of those things is true (or, at least, the complete answer). No, it’s just that sitting in the pick-up or drop-off lines makes me want to find myself directly in the path of an oncoming 18-wheeler. Now that my kids are 7 and 9, and old enough to ride their bikes with me, it’s also a lot more fun to watch them jump over curbs, swing their legs, and yell, “We live in a jungle!” to wait for the traffic light to change.
The WIRED Gear team has a lot of kids and we recruit many of them to test their bikes on rides to school, on the trails or in the park. These are our top picks for every age and size. Don’t you see a bicycle for your son here? Please let us know as we will continue to test and update these selections. And if you’re looking for a bike for yourself, check out our guides on The Best Electric Bikes, Best Budget Electric Bikes, and Best Electric Cargo Bikes for Families.
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How to buy a children’s bicycle
Bicycles are expensive. It’s tempting to future-proof your purchase by buying a bike one or two sizes larger, so your child can grow into it. Don’t fall into this trap! It is not only uncomfortable, but also unsafe: how you Did you expect to control a bike that was two sizes too big for you?
To find the correct size, you will need to measure your child’s height or minimum inseam length. Kids’ bikes are measured by wheel size, so a 12-inch bike refers to a bike with 12-inch wheels, and so on. When you get the bike, check if your child can stand on the frame with their feet comfortably flat on the ground. Make sure your child can get on and off easily and that his hands can reach the brakes and shift levers, if the bike has them.
Other factors you may want to consider:
