The best first bikes 2 to 3 years old in the UK 2023

Is your child past the age of playing on the walker or the bike? It's time to give him his first bike. After dozens of hours spent analyzing about thirty models, we chose the Amigo BMX Turbo. It's a sturdy and comfortable model to introduce him to real bike pedaling. It's a mixed-use bike that's perfectly suited to the body type of a 2-3 year old.

Amigo BMX Turbo 1
8/10

Best value for money

Amigo BMX Turbo

Best first 2-3 year old bike in 2021

The Turbo BMX bike offers a variety of options to suit children who are new to cycling. Safety and ergonomics are the hallmarks of this sleek looking bike.

See the price

Amigo offers this BMX Turbo to keep your child entertained and safe. It has a steel frame, a V-Brake system at the front and a back-pedal system at the rear. The evolving saddle is adjustable in height to allow the child a comfortable seat. The shock-absorbing seatpost supports the child's weight well.

This bike is equipped with two solid wheels with single wall aluminum rims. You can install training wheels in case you are unsure or if your child has trouble balancing. Details such as the closed chain guard, the front and rear reflectors with support or the small bell enhance its aesthetic.

Amigo BMX Fun 2
7/10

Best value for money

Amigo BMX Fun

Best entry-level first 2-3 year old bike

Practical and easy to assemble, this Amigo Fun BMX bike will accompany your little one's first rides. A wise choice for those who want a quality bike without breaking the bank.

See price

Amigo has designed the Fun Bike to be a safe and functional BMX. With a V-braking system, your child can stop at any time. The bike offers many adjustments to the seat, making it very comfortable to sit on. This little bike has padded handlebars for a smooth and easy grip.

The adjustable aluminum spoked tires offer a perfect grip on all types of ground. Note the numerous accessories: mudguards, chain guard, the small aluminum bell, etc. The 2 side wheels allow the child to practice pedaling and driving at his own pace.

Bobbin Gingersnap 12 3
7/10

Best value for money

Bobbin Gingersnap 12

Best high-end first 2-3 year old bike

Bobbin offers the Gingersnap 12, a beautiful miniature Dutch bike. In addition to its design, it attracts with its comfortable spring seat and overall quality.

See the price

With 12 inch wheels and available in 3 colors, the Bobbin Gingersnap 12 is a great choice. The design of this superb mini city bike exudes robustness. Your toddler's safety has not been overlooked either, thanks to the manual caliper braking system. The rubber-coated handles, rims and stabilizing wheels give this bike perfect balance, a must for learning to ride.

Comfort-wise, this bike is equipped with a stylish leather spring seat with an adjustable alloy stem. The Bobbin Gingersnap 12 also stands out for its numerous accessories: mudguards, chain guard matching the frame, wicker basket as a luggage rack guide...

Bikestar Cruiser Deluxe 4
7/10

Cruiser

Bikestar Cruiser Deluxe

Best cruiser bike for 2-3 year olds

Bikestar is a reference in terms of children's bikes. For the skeptics, the Cruiser Deluxe is a reminder of why. Beautiful and stable, this bike has everything you need.

124 £ on Amazon

This cruiser bike is for children who are ready to learn to ride or are already able to balance without side wheels. With its height-adjustable handlebars and seat, your little angel will feel comfortable on his bike rides. Stability is ensured by thick tires, which are protected by a rear fender and easy-to-handle handles.

To further secure the child, Bikestar has equipped its Cruiser Deluxe with a back-pedal brake. The kickstand will also come to his rescue in case of imbalance. This 12 inches bike is characterized by the design of its steel frame with shock and scratch resistant lacquering.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best first bike 2 to 3 years

Any specific needs?

Best first 2-3 year old bike in 2021

Best entry-level first 2-3 year old bike

Best high-end first 2-3 year old bike

Best cruiser bike for 2-3 year olds

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best first bikes 2 to 3 years old

TOP OF THE TOP CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
Amigo BMX Turbo 5
8/10
Amigo BMX Fun 6
7/10
Bobbin Gingersnap 12 7
7/10
Bikestar Cruiser Deluxe 8
7/10
OUR SELECTION
Amigo BMX Turbo
Amigo BMX Fun
Bobbin Gingersnap 12
Bikestar Cruiser Deluxe
The Turbo BMX bike offers a variety of options to suit children who are new to cycling. Safety and ergonomics are the hallmarks of this sleek looking bike.
Practical and easy to assemble, this Amigo Fun BMX bike will accompany your little one's first rides. A wise choice for those who want a quality bike without breaking the bank.
Bobbin offers the Gingersnap 12, a beautiful miniature Dutch bike. In addition to its design, it attracts with its comfortable spring seat and overall quality.
Bikestar is a reference in terms of children's bikes. For the skeptics, the Cruiser Deluxe is a reminder of why. Beautiful and stable, this bike has everything you need.
Frame
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Braking system
Front: handheldRear: coaster
Retro-pedalling
Bracket
Front: HandheldRear: Backpedal
Saddle height (lowest position)
50 cm
48 cm
33 to 43 cm
47 to 55 cm
Balancing wheel
yes
yes
yes
no
Other accessories
Closed chain guardFront V-BrakeSonette
Non-slip pedalsReflectors
Wicker basketBellMudguardEco-friendly model
Ball bearingsBellowsChain guardLuggage rack

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Buying guide - first bike 2 to 3 years

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How to choose your first bike 2 to 3 years

It's always hard to choose when it comes to children's toys. This is also the case for your little one's first bike. These few elements will help you in your steps so that you can choose the bike which will accompany his tender childhood.

#1 - The shape

It's best to choose a bike with a low frame so your child can ride it easily. The comfort of the seat and the ease of handling the handlebars are also essential criteria when choosing your toddler's first bike.

#2 - The braking system

For a child's bike, the most suitable braking system is the back-pedal one. Of course, some models are equipped with handlebar brakes, but they are not recommended if the child is not old enough to recognize all the functions of what is on the bike.

#3 - Protection and security

Accessories such as chain covers or mudguards can be useful to protect your child. The former prevents him from getting caught on the chains, while the latter keeps his clothes from getting dirty. Since he is small and rather curious, he will tend to touch the mechanisms. That's why this type of bike will need all the protection it can get.

#4 - The type

The

choice of a first bike for your child also depends on its use. If it's to play indoors, on the patio or on small garden paths, you can turn to small city or road bikes. On the other hand, if you want a sturdy bike that can handle long trips and rides in the mountains, kids' mountain bikes are the way to go.

#5 - Accessories

In recent years, helmets have become mandatory for children under the age of 12. It is a great protection in case of accident or shock. Don't forget to install small balance wheels if your child is just starting to ride. Elbow and knee pads can also be very useful to ensure the safety of your little one.

Why buy a child's bike?

The best first bikes 2 to 3 years old 9

Is your child old enough to ride a bike? Buying him a bike is not just a trend or a futility. It is mainly to stimulate his senses and it is also part of his education. Indeed, a bike is likely to develop his psychomotor skills. This toy will teach him balance and push him to discover the real functioning of the bike to explore its performance. Buying him a bike is also giving him the chance to discover the world and his environment in a different way.

During his little bike rides, he will coordinate his movements and concentrate on the essentials, i.e. the different manipulations that can be carried out. Moreover, he will want to orient himself to pedal better. It is an opportunity for him to learn to differentiate his left from his right. But most importantly, your child will be more independent, will play by himself and will have more confidence in himself. Give him time to adapt to his little bike, at his own pace and without putting pressure on him.

Child bike or draisienne ?

Child bike

The children's bike is designed for young children who want to learn to ride a bike and start to get a taste for pedalling a real bike. The advantage is that there are many models offering more comfort and safety. They can be adapted to the physical condition of children over 3 years old. Moreover, pedaling stimulates the child's motor skills.

On the other hand, some models can be expensive and these little bikes will only be used for a few years by your child. And you should think about buying your child a bigger bike as soon as he or she is over 6 years old.

Draisienne

The draisienne is a better way to teach your child to balance, maneuver, and most importantly coordinate their movements with speed. It is a great way to transition from a walker to a real bike, as it is suitable for children under 3 years old.

However, in terms of safety and protection, the draisienne is not a champion. Indeed, it lacks many safety accessories such as the brake and the child will only have his feet to brake in case of sudden speed.

Verdict

Whether it's a child's bike or a pushchair, both types of bikes are excellent alternatives. The only difference is that a pushchair is more suitable for children under the age of 3 and a bike is more suitable for older children. In terms of safety, children's bikes are safer.

Tips

Adopt the safety gestures

Teach your child to put on a helmet and all protective gear. Also check that the bike is properly assembled and that all bolts and screws are in place. Don't forget to adjust the seat and handlebars to fit the child's age.

Before you buy...

Always check that the bike has the CE mark; a guarantee of reliability and compliance with European standards. The bike should never be too big or too small for the child.

Start learning with a tricycle

The

tricycle can be used from a very young age, more exactly around 18 months. This is a good time to get your child used to the pedaling and handling of his future bike. The front pedaling system is the most suitable, as it is safer. Choose models that are made of plastic or materials that won't hurt the child.

Remove the small wheels

The

small wheels are there to keep your child balanced during his or her first few rides on the bike. Don't hesitate to remove them as soon as you notice that he's picking up more and more gears. But you must constantly reassure him so that he always feels safe.

The start-up...

That's

it! Your child has his first bike, but he's slow to get on it. This is normal since he doesn't know how. Getting started is the most difficult part. Try pushing the bike a little bit so that he gets his bearings and has time to position himself properly on the bike and start pedaling.

FAQ

What is the best first bike for 2 to 3 year olds?

The best first bike for 2 to 3 year olds depends on your needs and your budget. Read our buying guide to find out which products are the best at the moment.

What safety equipment is required for a child's bike?

The child helmet has become mandatory since March 22, 2017 until the age of 12. This is to ensure the safety of your child while learning. But there are also the other accessories that complement the helmet like support wheels, knee and elbow pads etc.

What is a coaster brake system?

This braking system is mainly found on small bikes for children. The bike has no free wheels at the rear, allowing the pedals to turn at the same time as the wheels. The brakes are activated by gradually reducing the pedal force.

Is it necessary to put suspensions on a child bike for more stability?

The installation of a suspension is not very recommended on a child bike. It is useless given the weight of the child and it makes the bike heavier. The best thing to do is to use large tyres to guarantee more stability. But make sure they are not over inflated.

When should the bike be changed?

The saddle setting defines the limit of the bike's use. If you are at the maximum and your child starts to squat on the bike, it's a sign that you need to buy a new one that is more comfortable and more suitable for their size.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. , ellesfontduvelo.com
  2. , cyclable.com
  3. , jumbo.ch
  4. , vojomag.com
  5. , bikester.fr
  6. , laurencepernoud.com
  7. , kelvelo.com
  8. , conseilsport.decathlon.fr
  9. , auchanetmoi.auchan.fr
  10. , max2kdo.com
  11. , velo-enfant.fr
  12. , decathlon.fr
  13. , parents.fr
  14. , forum.velotaf.com
  15. , selectos.eu
  16. , lecyclo.com
  17. , velo-enfant.fr
  18. , joueclub.fr
  19. , forum.velovert.com
  20. , velo-equipement.com
  21. , forum.doctissimo.fr
  22. , conseilsport.decathlon.fr
  23. , cyclable.com
  24. , naitreetgrandir.com
  25. , imagesdoc.com
  26. , primeauvelo.com
  27. , intersport.fr
  28. , amazon.co.uk
  29. , cdiscount.com
  30. , 2ememain.be
  31. , amazon.co.uk
  32. , bebes.aufeminin.com
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Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

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Our selection
Amigo BMX Turbo 10
Amigo BMX Turbo
Amigo BMX Fun 11
Amigo BMX Fun
Bobbin Gingersnap 12 12
Bobbin Gingersnap 12
Bikestar Cruiser Deluxe 13
Bikestar Cruiser Deluxe

Lecteurs

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