A balance bike is a bike with no pedals. Children sit on it and walk, then stride, then lift their feet and glide. Because there's nothing else to think about, they learn the hard part of riding first: balancing and steering. Lots of children move on to a pedal bike later without ever needing training wheels.
What age can a child start on a balance bike?
Most children start somewhere between 18 months and 3 years, once they're walking confidently. Size matters more than age, though, so measure before you choose.
How to get the right size
Measure your child's inside leg: stand them against a wall in their shoes, put a book between their legs like a saddle, and measure from the top of the book to the floor.
The seat should be set at about that height or a little lower, so they can sit with both feet flat on the ground and a slight bend in the knee. Check the seat height range in the product details: you want their measurement to sit near the bottom of the range, so the bike has room to grow.
A bike that's too big is the most common reason a child won't ride. If they're between sizes, choose the smaller one.
Trike or balance bike first?
For toddlers under two, a trike is often the better start. Three wheels keep them steady while they learn to steer and push along. Many of our trikes convert into a balance bike by moving or removing a wheel, so the same bike carries on when they're ready to balance.
From around two and a half, most children go straight to a balance bike.
What else to look for
- Weight. A light bike is one they can pick up after a fall and push themselves.
- Adjustable seat and handlebars, so it fits for longer.
- Tyres. Solid or foam tyres never go flat. Air tyres give more grip on grass and gravel.
- A hand brake on bikes for older children, once their hands are big enough to use it.
Helmets
A helmet goes on every time, from the very first ride. Choose one that sits level on the forehead and fits snugly with the strap done up.
When to move to a pedal bike
When your child can glide with their feet up for a good distance and steer around corners, they're usually ready. That's often around four or five, but every child gets there in their own time.
