Buying Your Child a Bike

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Sizing

• Your child should be able to straddle the top tube with both feet on the ground
• Adjust the reach of the handlebars so the child is comfortable and sitting upright
• Bikes should not be ‘grown into’; buy a bike that safely fits your child

Hand vs. Pedal Brakes

• Pedal brakes should be the child’s first brakes; teach them to stop at a fixed point
• Small children may not be able to use hand brakes due to lack of strength and reach
• Use lever ‘reach adjusters’ to bring brake levers closer for smaller hands

BMX

• Dirt jumping requires safety gear including fullface helmet, shin pads and gloves
• Beginners should also consider elbow pads, knee pads and wrist guards
• Not all bikes are strong enough to jump; check with your local bike shop

Freestyle

• Flatland trick riding requires safety gear; helmet, glove and shin pads are important
• Freestyle bikes have ‘pegs’ on front and rear axles that allow standing
• Never allow your child to transport other children on their bike

Mountain

• Children should wear a helmet and gloves when mountain biking
• Ride or walk with your child so you know the trails that they will be riding
• Set specific boundaries for where your child can and cannot ride

Growing into a Bike

• Don’t buy a bike that does not fit your child; too small later is better than too big now
• Quality bikes will be easier to resell; they last longer as hand-me-downs also
• Make sure that your child’s bike fits them by checking with your local bike shop

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