TOT: HOT OR NOT

Essential Guideto Buying aKids bike &

Cycling withkids

10 things you need to know

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1. Balance bike vs training wheels

A balance bike is a better option as a first bike.

Balance bikes promote increased balance, stability and control, and thus increase confidece. Kids

can learn about balance, balance speed (ie the slowest speed at which a bike will travel and still

stay upright) and turning corners without having to worry about pedals. Allowing both feet to touch

the ground helps them feel more secure and confidence.

Using a balance bike will generally mean that your child progresses more quickly to pedals and will

be a cautious yet skilled rider on a pedal bike.

If you don’t want to buy a balance bike then another option is to remove the pedals from a pedal

bike, although for some bikes the ergonomics won’t quite work for a first bike.

Top 10 tips for Buying a Kids Bike

& Cycling with kids

Joyce Watts @ TOT: HOT OR NOT

2. What to look for when buying a kids bike

6 things to consider:

Size. A bike needs to be comfortable now so don’t think you should buy a bigger bike that the

child will ‘grow into’. In general, if it’s a choice between two sizes then smaller is better. A child

is far more likely to ride a smaller bike, and ride more often, plus they learn bike-handling

skills far quicker and to a higher standard.

Frame size: The bike should be sized so that the child can sit on the saddle and rest the balls of

both feet on the ground, easily stand over the bike with feet flat on the ground and have their

arms at a comfortable angle with a slight bend when holding the handlebars (ie not leaning

forward).

Seat height: Consider the maximum seat adjustment. If you can’t test whether your child can

easily stand over the bike then a rule of thumb is to measure their inseam (without shoes) then

minus about 4-5cm to allow for the seat.

Pneumatic tyres: Go for a bike with standard pneumatic tyres rather than foam tyres that don’t

provide the same cushioning and grip.

Material: My recommendation is to go with an aluminium frame as it is lightweight, durable and

rust-proof. Wood looks stylish but it warps, deteriorates and does not tend to allow for seat

adjustment. Plastic is cheap and breakable.

Weight: The heavier the bike is, the harder it is to ride and the less likely your child will enjoy

it. Also, it’s almost certain that at some stage you’ll need to carry your kid’s bike home!

3. What to look for when buying a secondhand kids bike

4 things to consider:

Frame - is there rust? Cracks on the frame? Dented? Paint scratched?

Wheels - Bent cranks? Buckled wheels? Do the wheels run true? Are any of the spokes broken?

Brakes - Worn brakes? Working brakes?

Chain - Is it rusty? Can the chain be pulled nearly clear of the teeth?

Tyres - Are the tyres bald and cracked or in good condition? Obviously worn tyres can be

replaced easily so it’s just mostly to note how much the bike has been used and how well it’s

been taken care of.

4. When should kids start using gears?

Confidence and ability are the important factors to consider - but most kids will progress to multi-

gear bikes between 5-9 years old. For more extensive information click here.

5. Child Bike seats - front or back seat?

There are many child bike seats on the market and whether you want to use a front or back seat

depends on your personal preference.

I rode with Lady AB from 9 months old on a Yepp Mini Front Seat because I liked having her in front

on me. I could see what she was doing and I could converse easily with her while I was riding.

However, a front seat will only hold a child to approximately 3 years old, whereas a back seat can

still fit a child up to approximately 5 years old.

A front seat may also not fit all Australian-style bikes as they tend to have lower head stems that

don’t allow a child to sit comfortably in front. You may also find that you have to cycle with your

knees apart (like a clown!) to accommodate the width of your front seat. Front seats are better

designed for bikes with an upright sitting position ie a Dutch style step-through bike like those

from Lekker Bikes.

When choosing a child bike seat consider one that can be removed easily and is not permanently

attached to your bike.

6. Bike trailer

A bike trailer has the advantage of being easily hooked on and off an adult’s bike and can be

swapped between bikes too. They are also an economical option, compared to say a cargo bike,

and sometimes can even convert into a pram when unlatched from the bike.

I took Lady AB in a bike trailer on trip around the High Country’s bike trails and it was great fun.

However, when choosing my mode of bike transport with children I opted against a trailer because

I do a lot of on-road, inner city riding. Unfortunately Australian bicycle infrastructure is not always

accommodating of bike trailers (ie wide bike lanes that are fully separated from car traffic) and

Australian drivers are not used to noticing low-slung bike trailers on the road.

7. Cargo bike

A cargo bike is a bicycle or tricycle with a large box (often timber) at the front where you can seat

children, put shopping bags in etc. They are particularly popular in Europe.

We didn’t have a car for the first few years of having children because we relied on our Taga cargo

bike (and public transport and car share). The Taga was relatively lightweight, narrow and even

transformed into a pram at the end of the journey! Unfortunately the Taga is no longer available for

sale in Australia now so you have to buy overseas or secondhand.

We recently upgraded to a Christiania cargo bike because the kids couldn’t fit comfortably together

in the Taga anymore. It is also a better bike for my business because I can use it to haul a lot of

gear, turn it into a market stall and transforming it into the Book Swap Bike. I installed an electric

motor on it and as a result I use it a lot more because I don’t have to avoid hills or heavy loads.

7. Cycling on the road with kids

In Victoria you can cycle with kids under 12 years old on a footpath, otherwise you have to cycle on

the road/bike lane.

If you're on the road with children, take up a position behind them. If there are two adults in your

group, then have one at the back and one in front of the children.

Also teach some basic road safety rules:

indicate clearly;

ride in a position where you can see and be seen;

make eye contact with other road users so you know they've seen you;

ring your bell to let others know you are coming.

8. When should kids wear a helmet?

Helmets are mandatory in Australia for adults and children alike, including if they are sitting in a

trailer or bike seat. The only probable exception is when a baby is strapped into a baby capsule

and taken in the box of a cargo bike. (Note there’s no law stating that this is a specific exception).

One of the lightest helmets on the market for babies is the Baby Nutty range by Nutcase Helmets.

The helmets are marked as being suitable from 12 month onwards because as a general rule of

thumb babies’ delicate spines are only able to steadily and safely hold the weight of a helmet at

around 12 months.

9. How do you fit a kids helmet properly?

Fitting a helmet correctly is a 5 step process:

Helmets should sit approx 2 finger widths above the eyebrows so approximately in a horizontal

position.

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If you have a helmet with a rear wind-up adjustment at the back then open it out to the widest

point, place helmet on head, then wind up to tighten so the helmet is firm.

The straps should fit neatly either side of the ears. Adjust the triangle of the strap with the side

buckles to sit underneath the ear lobes.

The buckle should sit under the chin with no more than 1 finger width of slack when connected.

Check that the helmet is snug without being so tight it’s uncomfortable. It should not move

forward/back or side to side. Girls will need to remove their high ponytails when wearing a

helmet.

10. Bells, lights and reflectors

All bicycles must have at least one effective brake and a working bell (or similar warning device).

If you are riding a bicycle at night you must have:

white light (flashing or steady) on the front

red light (flashing or steady) on the back

a red reflector on the back.

Find a selection of bells and bike lights.