How to teach my child how to learn to ride a bike ... and what's a good starter bike

Your child’s first bike is a rite of passage; just like their first pair of new shoes and their first words, you will treasure the moment forever.

We asked the team at e-commerce platform Costway to give us their Costway Kids Bike recommendations, and also their top advice for parents trying to find the right bike for their child.

When is my child ready for a bike?

There’s no easy, one-size-fits-all answer to this one. Some parents judge it on height – can the child reach the handlebars and pedals safely? For others, it is to do with balance – is the child still at the clumsy toddler stage? Or it could be to do with spatial awareness – is the child good on a climbing frame? Can they dress themselves? Are they good with building bricks? All of these can be indicators that a child has the physicality to start learning to ride a bike.

How to choose the right style of bike?

So much to choose from, and while colour and looks can be real vote-winners, particularly from the littlest members of the family, the adults should take a good look at many things. Is there a suitable kids bike with training wheels for your child? Most children will need to start off with this additional support, even if they have already gained confidence from a balance bike.

How to choose the right size of bike?

Next up is your child’s size. Kids grow like weeks, so definitely don’t err too far on the small side, as they will likely grow out of it within months. Choose one where at the lowest seat setting their feet can comfortably sit on the pedals and stretch out to almost but not quite knee-lock position.

Their tippy toes should comfortably rest on the ground, so they can steady themselves when they come to a stop.

And they should be able to comfortable read the handlebars, and, importantly, the brakes.

The team at Costway love the Costway kids bike for 4-8 years old, which is adjustable for size to last your child a good few years. It comes 95 per cent pre-assembled and can be bought in a variety of sizes. It’s been specially designed for young riders – we think they will love the look and the basket up front, while parents will like the sturdy design, safe handbrake and coaster brake.

Choosing a good bike in the right size that gives years of enjoyment is likely to be the start of a healthy hobby that can last for decades.

What safety equipment should they have?

The bike shouldn’t be the only purchase you make – first and foremost, choose a good cycle helmet. This is not only vital, as it’s likely a young driver in training will have more than a few tumbles, but it teaches good safety habits from day one. Next up, elbow and knee pads are a good choice. Stops the inevitable scrapes, helps prevent holes through their jeans, and will boost their confidence – it would be a real shame if a painful tumble put them off their great cycling adventure before it has begun.

If you are buying the bike for Christmas or a birthday treat, consider asking family members to choose cool safety equipment to help keep your child looking good and staying healthy.

What do the reviews say?

Costway reviews gather feedback from parents just like you. Lucas wrote: “My kids love this product! This bike is perfect for any kids that want to learn or ride a bike. It’s very easy to put together and only takes one person. The bike comes with a basket which is useful for putting things they like. It also comes with training wheels, which is perfect if your kid doesn’t know how to ride a bike. Overall this bicycle is amazing and I would recommend it to any kid that would love a bicycle!”

Suchi added: “Perfect Bike!! My son loves this high quality bike! Easy to put together and adjust for size of kids. Completely comfortable riding it, great tires, performs and looks perfect! Very happy with the purchase.”

User Weatherman added: “Adorable rabbit pilot design. Safe and well-built! We recently moved to a new place so we needed to buy new toys for my kids. The first thing that my daughter wanted to have is a bicycle. Since she is still learning, I narrowed down to bikes with training wheels and she liked this bike the most. She especially liked its adorable rabbit pilot design and its cute and practical storage basket. The assembly was straightforward. The instruction manual shows all the steps with images; therefore, it only took 20 minutes to fully assemble. Safety-wise, the handbrake works well and she can stop easily on her own. The height is adjustable so the bike can grow with her. I think it is overall well-built and sturdy.”

Key product takeaways

Costway have a range of kids bikes for sale, including sizes12"/14"/16"/18" all available with training wheels.

With Costway – the Home of Delights/More than just furniture, there’s fast delivery, great customer services, and a 30-day return guarantee. Find out more at Costway Kids Bike