Children's bicycles from 2 years old: varieties and recommendations for choosing

It is important for every parent that the child grows up not only healthy, but also physically developed. Cycling is the most affordable way for kids to exercise the muscular system. We will show you how to choose children's bicycles.

The first children's bike can be purchased for a 2-year-old child. At this age, the baby maintains a stable balance. Cycling is beneficial in that it develops virtually all the muscles in the body, coordination of movements, the ability to maneuver and focus. Besides, the kid gets a lot of fun. Children bicycles 2 years of age and older must meet certain requirements. First of all, it is the safety of the child. All protruding edges and long (more than 8 mm) protrusions of parts of a bicycle for babies that touch the body must be blunt, and the top tube of the frame should be free from protrusions.

A vehicle for a two-year-old child must be stable. Safety requires equipping the bike with a limiter that prevents the steering wheel from moving around the axis and prevents the baby from falling during turns. The weight of the bike should not be too heavy or exceed the weight of the rider, so that the child can easily handle the bike. The diameter of the wheels should correspond to 30-35 cm, which makes the transport more stable. The seat should be comfortable and non-slip and the pedals should be non-slip.

The bike must have mechanism for adjusting the height of the seat and steering wheel. This allows the bike to be adapted to the height of a growing child. It is important that you can change the angle of the handlebar to ensure correct posture.Saddle height for 2-year-olds and older should be 43.5-63.5 cm depending on height.

The braking system must be foot-operated and function easily and not jam. In this case, complete blocking of the wheels is not allowed. The hand brake is dangerous for a two-year-old child, as it can lead to sudden braking and a fall of the rider.

For beginner little cyclists, there are these types of bikes.

Usually these bicycles are preferred by parents as the first transport for young children. They are required for initial familiarization and training in cycling. They have a simple design with 1 front and 2 rear wheels. Three-wheeled bikes are designed for children with a height of 100-105 cm. This transport guarantees the rider complete safety, and the child feels confident: the three-wheeled bike is so stable that it cannot roll over.

These models have the following advantages: excellent stability, provided by three points of support, safe, reliable and simple design, low weight. They can be equipped with options such as a swivel saddle, height adjustable handlebars and seat. The disadvantages are the volumetric design and the not very convenient arrangement of the pedals, which gives the child's feet a direction not downward, but forward and creates difficulties for the child when pedaling, especially when driving on an uneven road or uphill.

Such a bike makes it easier to master the basic rules of riding. The child independently turns the pedals, steers, and the parents can correct the direction of movement. Thus, the baby acquires driving skills.

This 3-wheel vehicle model can be used as a regular stroller. In addition to a handle for parents, it has a comfortable seat with a high backrest, protective canopy and seat belts. Such models can be used for children even one year old. Many models with a parent grip have a brake lever located under the seat, a protective rim and a footrest that can be removed when not needed. There are also foldable bicycles that can be transported by car and public transport.

These bikes for 2 year olds are similar in design to classic bicycles for adults. But their main difference is the presence of 2 additional wheels for balancing, located on the axle of the rear wheels. This practically makes the bike a four-wheeled bike. These models meet safety requirements, providing full stability, not allowing vehicles to tilt to the sides.

The safety wheels can be removed when the baby is riding confidently. These bikes can also be used for older children.as they are equipped with a handlebar and saddle height adjustment mechanism. Some models also have a removable parental handle.

There are many manufacturers of children's bicycles, but the most high-quality products are produced by such Western brands: Puky, Smart Trike, Scott, Keller, Lamborghini. The models of these brands are quite expensive, but they have guaranteed quality based on innovative developments. The bikes meet all the necessary safety requirements and have a modern design.

Bikes from such companies are somewhat cheaper: Lexus Trike, Capella, Yaguar, Jetem. The models of these companies are made in China, but they have the proper quality.Budget low-cost models are represented by bicycles of Russian and joint Russian-Chinese production: "Start", Novatrack, "Polesie", 1 TOYS. Russian models, although they do not have such a bright representative appearance and comfort, are functional and are cheap.

As the rating shows, such models of children's bicycles are the most popular among consumers.

• Puky Cat S6 Ceety 2410 has a high guaranteed quality and is intended for children from 1.5 years old. This is a tricycle wheelchair with a parent handle and 5-point safety harness. This bike has an extended wheelbase design with a lower center of gravity, which gives the bike good stability. It is durable and has a comfortable, soft seat with a high back. The disadvantage of this model is considered to be a non-rotating handle for parents and a high price (more than 20 thousand rubles).

• Smart Trike Zoo 3 in 1 developed according to the principle "growing up with the child" and is intended for children from 1 year old. This is a transformer that transforms from a wheelchair bike into an ordinary bike for a 2-year-old child. The model has a pedal lock, and the seats are supplemented with armrests, which are subsequently removed, the pedals are activated, and the baby can independently control the transport. The bike is made of durable metal and high-quality plastic, the wheels are equipped with a wide rubber coating.

• Capella Action trike (A). This bike can be used for children aged 1-5 years. The bike has rubber wheels. The seat is equipped with a soft removable pad. Safety is ensured by a safety rim, seat belts. The large and voluminous removable canopy protects against the elements. The parental handle is easy and comfortable to operate.

• Lamborghini L5 Panorama 2018. This new bike has been designed by renowned Italian designers for Lamborghini vehicles. She combined all the necessary advantages: versatility, reliability and safety, comfort for both the child and the parents, stylish and original design. The seat has 2 positions: facing the road or facing parents, which can be changed using 2 control buttons. The backrest has 3 tilt levels. The steering wheel has a headlight with sound effect and LED lighting.

Bicycles for boys and girls may differ only in design. Among the popular models for girls are the following.

• Baby Driver Comfort. This wheelchair bike has great functionality: it can be adjusted to the child's height. The detachable handle helps parents adjust the bike's ride. The steering wheel can be adjusted in height. The rubberized wheels have a safety lock. The model has a comfortable seat that can be set in 3 different positions (further-closer). Has removable elements: seat belts, footrest, headrest, toy steering wheel and visor.

• 2-wheel Navatrack Marle 12 for a girl has a beautiful bright color with a pattern in pink and lilac tones. The frame is made of high quality steel. The seat provides a comfortable fit for the child. The saddle and handlebars can be adjusted in height, adapting to the growth of the baby. Additional wheels can be removed as unnecessary. The main feature of the model is the presence of a seat for the doll. The bike is equipped with a foot brake, the chain is protected by a cover. The steering wheel has a turn limiter.

Most popular models for boys.

• Rich Toys Zexus Trike Original Next. The frame and steering rack are metal and painted red, while all other parts are black. The model is intended for boys from 1 to 4 years old. Manufacturers have provided complete comfort for babies. The soft seat with a low backrest has a comfortable anatomical design and can be set in 3 different positions that are easily adjustable.The wheels are made of rubber, which ensures a smooth ride of the transport. The kit also includes a removable padded seat pad, footrest, sun visor, and safety rim.

• Scott Voltage JR 12 bike is a 2-wheel variant. The model is designed for boys 2-4 years old. Has a beautiful exterior design with brand lettering. The wheels are inflatable rubber, and the additional rear wheels are plastic. The bike is equipped with two types of braking systems: classic rear pedal and front rim. The aluminum frame is highly durable. The high handlebar and comfortable saddle, which can be adjusted in height, provide a comfortable position for the child.

The safety of the child depends on the right choice. When choosing a bike for a girl and a boy, you need to adhere to the same criteria, since there are no design differences between bicycles. They will differ only in color and design. When buying, you need to pay attention to such details.

• Manufacturing material. Plastic makes the bike lighter, but doesn't have the strength of metal. Preference should be given to models that combine metal and plastic elements. Rubber inflatable wheels provide shock absorption and make it easier to ride on uneven surfaces. Plastic wheels make a lot of noise when driving and can hardly overcome pits and bumps.
• Seat design. It should provide the child with a comfortable position. Seats with high backs are best for children under 3 years old. For older people, a seat with a low backrest is acceptable.
• Bike weight... The lightweight aluminum and plastic bike is more maneuverable and easier to transport, but is inferior in stability to the heavier metal models. In any case, the bike should not weigh more than the baby.
• Model size... It must be selected in accordance with the dimensions of the child. It is not allowed to buy large models with the expectation of further growth. A bike that is too big for a child is uncomfortable to ride because of the wrong posture, which can lead to falls and injuries.
• Brake location. Preference should be given to models with a foot brake.
• The parent handle should be comfortable to operate and provide good maneuverability. It is advisable that the kit includes seat belts, a safety rim, a protective tarpaulin or a visor (better if they are made of waterproof fabric).

Choosing a two-wheeled bike, it is recommended to purchase a model with additional rear wheels and a rim size of 12 inches. The model should be selected according to the growth of the baby. When a child is standing and holding the bike, the distance between the frame and the crotch should not be less than 10 cm. This requires not only convenience, but also safety, so that in the event of an accident, the child does not get injured.

For information on how to correctly choose a children's bike, see the next video.