Stories | Ridgeback

Short 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.

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 these days start on something like the Ridgeback Scoot, which is a balance bike. Children as young as two years old can get on the Scoot, with its super low frame, kid-friendly, smaller grips and working rear brake. With no pedals to worry about, they’ll soon turn those first hesitant scoots into foot-powered freedom.

It used to be that children had to wait until they were tall enough to get on the smallest pedal bike with stabilisers, but with the advent of tiny, 12inch wheeled balance bikes like the Ridgeback Scoot, that’s no longer necessary. As soon as they’re tall enough to support themselves on a Scoot, they’re ready for one. Most children are ready for a balance bike between the ages of 2 and 3, although confident toddlers may start earlier and some children may be ready later.

James Olsen, who helped develop the Ridgeback kids range, explains:
"Children who feel comfortable and in control are more likely to enjoy riding and build confidence quickly. That's why bike fit and low overall weight are just as important as wheel size."

If your child knows that they can easily put a foot down when things are uncertain, they’ll be way more likely to launch off down the path in the first place. A bike that’s low enough for them to get those feet on the floor, preferably both and preferably flat will hugely help with that confidence. Equally, the handlebars need to be close enough to them so that it’s not a huge stretch. Just imagine how hard it would be to drive a car if your seat was always as far back as it would go, it’s the same for your child: the handlebars need to be close enough to them when they’re in the saddle that they can steer and brake without having to stretch and strain to get to them. 

The whole ‘balance bikes or stabilisers?’ question is relatively new, as balance bikes, like the Ridgeback Scoot and Scoot XL are a relatively new development. We would always suggest that parents consider starting with a Scoot, simply because they fit smaller riders and your child can start earlier and get used to speeding around, sometimes years before they need to think about pedaling.

As they grow, the saddle can be raised, bit by bit, to keep pace, so your young rider should get a couple of years out of their first bike. They can then move on to our 14in wheel Scoot XL, or perhaps they’re already ready for one of our 14in wheel pedal bikes like the Dimension 14 or MX14…

If you are unsure if they are ready for their first bike, here are a couple of indicators to help. Your child may be ready if they:

• Can walk and run confidently 

• Enjoy being active outdoors 

• Show interest in bikes or scooters 

• Can follow simple instructions 

• Want to copy older siblings or friends

So, to summarise: the best first bike for your child, is the first bike they’ll happily fit on (and we have more on good bike fit HERE) because we feel that the earlier the better when teaching your child to learn to ride. 

• Correct bike fit is essential for confidence

• A lightweight bike is easier for children to control

• Children should feel stable and comfortable when stopping

• Oversized bikes can reduce confidence and enjoyment

• Child-specific geometry helps improve handling and safety