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What size bike does my child needThe best kids' bike size depends on your child's height, confidence and riding experience rather than age alone. Wheel size is the simplest way to choose the right bike, but it's always worth checking that your child can comfortably reach the handlebars and place their feet securely on the ground.How do I choose the right size kids’ bike?Choosing the right kids’ bike can initially be quite daunting, as there is so much information out there, so many different brand, sizes and styles of bikes, so where do you start? With wheel size, that’s where. James Olsen, who helped develop the Ridgeback kids range, explains: "Correct fit gives children confidence. A bike that feels manageable is far more enjoyable to ride than one they're expected to grow into."Wheel size is the best way to measure kids’ bikesAt Ridgeback, we like to simplify things by talking about wheel size, as that is the most obvious difference that defines different size kids’ bikes. As
What is the best first bike for my childShort answer: The best first bike for kids is a Scoot balance bike. ‘What is the best first bike for my child?’ and ‘Should children start on a balance bike or a pedal bike with stabilisers?’ are two of the most common questions we get here at Ridgeback. In answer to this, we always suggest starting with a Scoot balance bike, if children are small enough and just starting out. Here is why. If your child is between 2 and 4 years old, a lightweight balance bike is usually the best first bike. Balance bikes help children learn balance and steering naturally before introducing pedals, making the transition to a pedal bike much easier.Should they learn to ride on a balance bike first?When you find yourself asking ‘What is the best first bike for my child?’ you might find that things have changed since you learned to ride. No longer are children waiting until they’re big enough to ride a pedal bike with stabilisers. Many, or even most children
How to teach your child to rideAt Ridgeback, we strongly believe that bike fit is the most important aspect of a kids’ bike. This is why we have a large range of bike and wheel sizes and why we always recommend visiting your local bike shop to make sure that you’re getting the best fitting bike for your child as possible. If you don’t think that bike fit is important, just try this experiment. If you’re reading this on a phone, just hold it at arm’s length and continue reading (or push your laptop to the far side of the dining table). Yes, it’s still possible to read, but it’s not easy, is it? And if your phone is at arm’s length, it gets tiring pretty quick, doesn’t it? Now imagine that you’re a beginner rider and that’s how far away the handlebars are.What’s the most important thing about learning to ride a bike? It’s confidence. Your child needs to be comfortable on the bike, with the confidence to set off, needs to know that they can slow down (and stop if they want) and they
Why fit matters for confidenceAt Ridgeback, we strongly believe that bike fit is the most important aspect of a kids’ bike. This is why we have a large range of bike and wheel sizes and why we always recommend visiting your local bike shop to make sure that you’re getting the best fitting bike for your child as possible. If you don’t think that bike fit is important, just try this experiment. If you’re reading this on a phone, just hold it at arm’s length and continue reading (or push your laptop to the far side of the dining table). Yes, it’s still possible to read, but it’s not easy, is it? And if your phone is at arm’s length, it gets tiring pretty quick, doesn’t it? Now imagine that you’re a beginner rider and that’s how far away the handlebars are.Why does bike fit matter for children?A lightweight kids bike is a bicycle designed to reduce overall weight so children can pedal, steer and control the bike more easily. Most quality lightweight children's bikes use aluminium frames,
Are light weight bikes important for children?Why does it matter how much a kids’ bike weighs? How heavy is too heavy?This is a very common question from parents looking for a new bike. A cheaper bike might look the same, but weigh a lot more than a quality kid’s bike, so parents often choose the cheaper option, but this can be a false economy if your little one never wants to ride it. A heavy child’s bike can be very hard to pedal, to brake and to control, as it’s such a big proportion of their body weight. (Just imagine if you had to ride a bike that weighed 40 or 50kg – it would be like trying to push your sofa around the park.)What is a lightweight kids bike?A lightweight kids bike is a bicycle designed to reduce overall weight so children can pedal, steer and control the bike more easily. Most quality lightweight children's bikes use aluminium frames, lighter wheels and child-specific components to improve handling and confidence. As a general rule, a kids bike should weigh significantly
Why Parents and Kids Love Our BikesChoosing the right bike for your child is about more than size - it’s about confidence, comfort, and the freedom to enjoy every ride. Our kids’ bikes are thoughtfully designed around real-world research and rider needs, ensuring a better fit, easier handling, and long-lasting quality. From first pedals to growing independence, every detail is built to support young riders and give parents complete peace of mind. Put simply, our kids’ bikes are designed to fit children properly - making them safer, easier to ride, and more confidence-inspiring from the very first ride.The Best Fitting Children’s BikesThe fully researched fit of our children’s bikes creates greater rider confidence - and bikes that grow with your child. Ridgeback kids’ bike designs are informed by Department of Health and Royal College of Paediatrics data, alongside peer-reviewed ergonomic studies. This research looks at height and body proportions by age, shaping every aspect of our
Introducing the New Ridgeback Kids Bike Range for 2026We’re excited to introduce the new 2026 Ridgeback kids bike range, designed to help young riders progress from their very first balance bike all the way up to 27.5" wheel bikes before moving on to adult sizes. The new range has been built around optimised fit, lightweight frames, and durable components, making every ride easier, safer, and more enjoyable for growing riders. Whether you're buying your child’s first bike or looking for an upgrade as they grow, Ridgeback has a bike designed for every stage.Ridgeback Scoot – The Perfect First Balance BikeThe Ridgeback Scoot remains one of our most popular balance bikes and returns for 2026 with a refreshed frame design and bold new colourways. Balance bikes help children learn balance, steering, and coordination before moving onto pedal bikes, making the learning process much easier. Key features include: Lightweight frame for easy handling Stable geometry for confident riding
This Winter — Discover the Best Ridgeback Bikes for the Whole FamilyWinter offers a great opportunity to slow down, wrap up warm, and spend more time outdoors together. Whether it’s a crisp weekend ride, a regular school-run route, or planning bigger adventures for the months ahead, cycling is a brilliant way for families to stay active all year round. With a wide range of thoughtfully designed bikes, Ridgeback makes it easy for every member of the family to enjoy riding together. Known for their focus on comfort, durability, and practical design, Ridgeback bikes are built to suit riders of all ages and abilities. From children discovering their first sense of freedom on two wheels to adults looking for a reliable bike for everyday riding or longer journeys, there’s a Ridgeback model to match every lifestyle — through winter and well into the New Year.Kids’ Bikes — Their First Adventures Getting children riding early helps build confidence, coordination, and a lifelong love of cycling.
Who Is Bikeability and How Ridgeback Bikes Help Kids Get Rolling.If you’ve ever seen a group of school children pedalling confidently down the road with huge grins on their faces, there’s a good chance they were taking part in Bikeability. Bikeability is the Department for Transport’s flagship cycle training programme for school children in England, run by the Bikeability Trust, a national charity. Their mission is simple but powerful: to make sure everyone has the confidence to ride a bike safely and enjoy this life-changing skill. Since 2007, Bikeability has helped over 5 million children learn the essential skills they need to cycle on today’s roads. It’s not just about pedalling in a straight line. Bikeability training is hands-on, practical, and designed to give children real-world cycling skills they’ll use forever. Think road safety, balance, confidence, and of course, plenty of fun. What Makes Bikeability Special? The Bikeability Trust isn’t just about teaching kids to ride it’s
Getting Kids Into Cycling with Ridgeback BikesWhen hill climb champion and all-round good guy, Andrew Feather reached out to us about finding the right kids’ bikes for his children, we were more than happy to help. As a multiple-time National Champion, Andrew knows better than most the joy, freedom, and lifelong benefits that come from riding a bike. Naturally, he wanted to pass that same love of cycling on to his son and daughter, starting them off on the best bikes for kids learning to ride. From our range of premium children’s bikes, Andrew chose the Ridgeback Dimension 16 for his 3-year-old, a perfect first pedal bike after a balance bike and the Ridgeback Dimension 20 for his 6-year-old, a lightweight, confidence-inspiring option that makes every ride fun and memorable.The Ridgeback kids’ bike collection has something for every age and stage. From balance bikes for toddlers to lightweight 26-inch kids’ bikes, every model is carefully designed to grow with your child. Whether you’re
Experience Ridgeback at the 2025 Tour of BritainRidgeback Bikes is thrilled to announce that we'll be joining the action throughout the entire Tour of Britain Men 2025—from the finish line of every stage, to the start and finish of Stage 3 in Milton Keynes on Thursday, 4 September. Where to Find Us & What You Can Do At the end of every stage, Ridgeback will be there with a demo-ride zone. Race your own time, experience the craftsmanship, and ride right over the official finish line. Stage 3 Start & Finish – Milton Keynes (4 September): Join us at Midsummer Boulevard from around 9:30 am, where the race starts at 11:30 am. We'll be set up for demo rides, plus scenic access to ride the stage’s conclusion through Ampthill—right over the finish line. Day-by-day stage details:Stage 1 – 2 Sep: Woodbridge → Southwold (161.4 km)Stage 2 – 3 Sep: Stowmarket → Stowmarket (169.3 km)Stage 3 – 4 Sep: Milton Keynes → Ampthill (122.8 km)Stage 4 – 5 Sep: Atherstone → Burton Dassett