Struggling to entertain a toddler with an abundance of energy? Or simply looking for a practical way to transport your family from point A to B? It may be time to teach your little one to ride a bike. And a toddler balance bike is a great starter model. A balance bike is simply a two-wheel bicycle without pedals. With this type, little riders can practice steering and propel themselves forwards by pushing their feet against the ground. Balance bikes offer the perfect opportunity for little ones to build up their muscles and coordination skills, all while having a blast. Not only is this a fun way to insert some physical play into their day, it’s also a great bonding opportunity for parents and kids.

Ready to get this show on the road? Here are a few shopping tips and safety considerations to get the wheels turning—plus our picks of the best balance bikes available.

In this article:
What to look for in balance bikes
Toddler bike safety
Best balance bikes
How we chose the best balance bikes

What to Look for in Balance Bikes

Toddlers as young as 18 months are old enough to handle a balance bike or a tricycle. These days the trend is to start kids on balance bikes, eventually graduating to a regular bicycle without training wheels. The idea behind a balance bike is that children learn to properly balance from the outset, eliminating the need for training wheels once they graduate to a big kid bike. Balance bikes come in sizes suitable for 18-month-olds all the way to adults but traditionally are best enjoyed by kids up to age 5.

When selecting a toddler bike, the most important thing is size. If the bike you choose is too big (or too small), it’s going to be hard for your child to ride. Unlike adult bikes, which are sized by seat height and frame, the size of a child’s bike is determined by the wheel diameter, ranging from 12 to 24 inches. To find the proper wheel size for your child, measure their height and inseam. Kids who measure between 2'10″ to 3'4″ (or have an inseam of 14 to 17 inches) require 12-inch wheels.

Another important aspect to look for is an adjustable bike seat. To properly ride a balance bike, your little one’s feet need to be able to push off of the ground while they’re sitting comfortably on the bike—and to do that, there needs to be a slight bend in your child’s knee. Adjust the seat height of your child’s bike accordingly.

Also worth noting is the weight of the bike. Ideally, a toddler bike shouldn’t be more than 40 percent of their total body weight. Do your best to find the lightest bike within your price range, as it’ll be less cumbersome for your little one to handle.

Toddler Bike Safety

Cycling with your toddler in tow is a wonderful activity for families. But always brush up on bike safety best practices before you hit the road. Below find a few major safety considerations to keep in mind:

Always wear a helmet. Invest in a good quality helmet and always strap your child in before they climb aboard their bike. Falls and scrapes are inevitable and a helmet helps protect your child from serious head injuries. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) stresses the importance of bike safety saying: “Your child needs to wear a helmet on every bike ride, no matter how short or how close to home.” Remember that children learn by observing the adults around them, so lead by example and wear a helmet any time you head out on a bike ride.
Choose an age-appropriate model. According to the AAP, oversized bikes are especially dangerous. With this in mind, always read the brand’s age and weight guidelines to make sure the bike is suitable for your child’s developmental stage. Your little one shouldn’t have to “grow into” a bike; it should be perfectly sized from the get-go.
Obey the rules of the road. Even if you stick to the sidewalk, teach your child to obey all stop signs and other traffic control devices. Remember to ride on the right, facing the same direction as traffic and never take your child for a bike ride at night.

Best Balance Bikes

Don’t be distracted by all the bells and whistles! The best balance bikes are lightweight, easy to steer and perfectly sized for your child’s age and stage. To keep you on track, we’ve asked The Bump community—real parents, just like you—to review the bikes their own children use. Keep reading to see their feedback and browse our favorite toddler balance bikes on the market.

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How We Chose the Best Balance Bikes

We get it—the amount of toys out there can be overwhelming, and it can be hard to decide which ones deserve a spot in your playroom (or garage, in the case of bicycles!). But that’s where we come in. To streamline your decision-making process, we do the bulk of the research for you so you don’t have to spend hours scrolling through online retailers. We choose products based on quality and durability, value, style and, last but definitely not least, safety. This way you can count on getting the best bang for your buck, while also having a dependable and safe product that will meet your and your child’s needs.

To decide which balance bikes are the best options on the market, we leverage our familiarity with leading brands to make sure items are from reliable manufacturers. We read user reviews to get the low-down on how these products work for toddlers, and typically don’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating. And since many of us are also parents, we rely on our writers’ and editors’ experience using these products with their own families.

Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.

Plus, more from The Bump:

Awesome Outdoor Toys for Toddlers

Best Travel Toys for Toddlers

Toddler Milestones: Skills Your Child Will Learn and When

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