What is childhood without a bicycle? I think you remember how you rode around the yard on a bike, let your friends ride, or, on the contrary, waited in line to also pedal?
Or how you rode along the paths of the park with a friend or girlfriend? And now you are wondering whether to buy a bicycle for your child? Good idea!
The benefits of a bicycle for a child are difficult to overestimate. Physical activity in the fresh air is a core value in the eyes of parents. Cycling trains the muscles of the legs, back and arms, and develops the vestibular system.
But cycling is also an opportunity to communicate with peers, make new friends, learn something new... It seems like we should take it!
Children's bicycles can be very different. Starting from “transport” for the little ones and ending with very respectable models for teenagers:
How to make the right choice? Considering that a bicycle is not a toy, but a serious sports vehicle, the process of choosing it is a responsible matter.
And the point is not so much about buying a good thing, but about the fact that a responsible approach to choice will ensure the safety of the child.
The most important thing when choosing a bike is to choose one that is suitable for your height and weight. So, when buying a bike for your child, be sure to take into account the diameter of the wheels and the length of the frame.
There are certain rules according to which these indicators directly depend on growth.
To make the right choice, you need to use special size matching tables. The table below shows the child's age, height and corresponding wheel diameter and frame length.
So, for example, a 3-year-old child needs a bicycle with wheels smaller than 12 inches, 4-6 years old need 12-inch wheels, 7-9 years old need 20-inch wheels, and 10-13 years old need 24-inch wheels.
For older children, it is quite possible to purchase adult bicycles with large 26-inch wheels.
The length of the bicycle frame is also of great importance when choosing. There are tables showing the rules for selecting a bike by height. Using them is very simple - you just need to select the column that corresponds to the child’s height.
Frame length is indicated in inches, centimeters and conventions adopted by the manufacturer. So you can easily find the indicator you need.
However, let us remember that each person is individual. The table will only give you a rough idea of what sizes you need to pay attention to. Therefore, the best option would be to “try on” the bike before purchasing.
As we have already said, before buying you need to “try on” the bike for your baby. So it is not advisable to buy it as a surprise, without a child.
Experts will explain in more detail the principle of fitting and choosing a bicycle:
Children's bicycles have their own characteristics. In particular, the chain must be protected from clothing parts getting into it.
In addition, pay attention to whether there is a lock that prevents the steering wheel from turning completely around its axis. If it is not there, the child may hit himself in the chest with the steering wheel or get his leg caught between the frame or wheel while turning.
Children's bicycles must have a foot brake. That is, braking is achieved by sharply pressing the pedals in the opposite direction. A hand brake is considered dangerous for children, so it is not installed on children’s bicycles.
When choosing a children's bike, weigh it. Weight depends on the material from which the frame is made. Aluminum will be lighter. On the one hand, of course, the child is not riding the bike, but vice versa.
On the other hand, the iron horse will have to be carried into the house, into the elevator, and dragged up the stairs. And if the child is still small, then you will be the one to drag. Choose for yourself.
For a child, a specific brand is not very important; after all, you are not purchasing a device to participate in the Olympics. But you still need to buy it in a specialized store, and not in Children's World, and especially not in the market.
Tip: Check the brand name online. By the way, a bike purchased in a specialized store will have a warranty.
Yes, yes, there are also models designed for self-assembly. This will not cause any difficulties for the master, but are you sure that mom and dad will assemble everything correctly?
Of course, the model you choose should have the ability to raise the saddle and handlebars. But the child must sit correctly and fully reach the pedals. Otherwise, either the bike will simply wait in the garage or on the balcony for its time, or the child may get injured. Don't take risks!
You want your child to ride his bike, be strong and healthy, and not whine and try to avoid going for a walk. The child should like the bike. If possible, choose the model that suits you in terms of safety, but in the color and with the accessories that your child likes.
This is a purchase that you will have to “fork out” for. Yes, very soon your child will grow up and you will have to buy an older model. However, do not forget that by spending money, you invested it in the safety of your child.
Their shock protection is not very good, and they weigh down the children’s bike quite noticeably. For the child’s convenience, a bicycle should be light.
Make sure to purchase a special bicycle helmet. Children think that this is very stylish and cool, and you can be calm about their health.
It also makes sense to purchase riding gloves and perhaps knee and elbow protection. In addition, you should definitely buy bicycle lights and reflectors in the store.
The choice of a children's bicycle is made taking into account the age, physical characteristics and personal wishes of the child. One way or another, this is an individual process - we will only give parents the necessary recommendations.
First of all, decide on the dimensions of the vehicle: they should be related to the height and age of the child. Below is a table that provides recommendations for sizes, as well as brake type and number of speeds.
| Wheel diameter, inches (cm) | Child's height, cm | Approximate age | Brakes | Number of speeds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 (30,48) | up to 98 | 2-3 | Rear foot | 1 |
| 12 (30,48), 14 (35,56) | up to 104 | 3-4 | Rear foot | 1 |
| 14 (35,56), 16 (40,64) | up to 110 | 4-5 | Rear foot | 1 |
| 16 (40,64), 18 (45,72) | up to 116 | 5-6 | Rear foot | 1 |
| 18 (45,72), 20 (50,80) | up to 122 | 6-7 | 1-6 | |
| 18 (45,72), 20 (50,80) | up to 128 | 7-8 | Rear foot + front manual V-brake | 1-6 |
| 20 (50.80), 20 (50.80) cl. | up to 134 | 8-9 | Rear foot + front manual V-brake | 1-6 |
| 20 (50.80), 24 (60.96) folds. | up to 140 | 9-10 | Rear foot + front manual V-brake | 1-6 |
| 20 (50.80), 24 (60.96) cl. | up to 146 | 10-11 | 1-21 | |
| 24 (60.96) folds. | up to 152 | 11-12 | Front and rear manual V-brake | 1-21 |
| 24 (60.96) folds. | up to 158 | 12-13 | Front and rear manual V-brake | 1-21 |
| 24 (60.96) folded, 26 (66.04) | up to 164 | 13-14 | Front and rear manual V-brake | 1-21 |
There is a more precise way to select. To do this, the child must stand on a flat surface and hold the bicycle between his legs. The distance between the frame and the groin must be at least 10 cm. This is a general safety rule that is relevant for both child and adult cyclists. Compliance with it prevents injury from sudden braking and jumping out of the saddle.
An important advantage of a children's bicycle is the height adjustment of the seatpost and handlebars. Its presence will save parents from frequent updates to their home bike park.
What is the optimal seatpost and handlebar height? The correct position of the saddle is one in which the child can easily reach the pedal in the lower position. The leg is fully extended, but the contact occurs not with the toe, but with the middle of the foot. When adjusting the steering wheel, you should also find a “golden mean”: the child should not bend his back too much or (the other extreme) hit the steering wheel with his knees.
You decided to buy a bicycle for your child, went to the online store’s website and looked at all the variety of models of children’s bicycles that are presented there. And a reasonable question arose before you: which bike to choose? How to choose the right size and weight of a bicycle so that the child is comfortable on it and does not put it aside?
In this article I will try to answer all the questions that you may have when choosing a bicycle for your child.
First of all, you need to decide on the choice of bicycle model. It needs to be selected individually for each child, to assume how often he will ride a bicycle, and to take into account, when choosing, the characteristics of the child’s physical structure and development. It is important to choose the right bicycle model in relation to the height of the cyclist: the child must stand on the ground on both feet, and at least 10 centimeters must remain from the bicycle frame.
Since children grow very quickly, when choosing, pay attention to the adjustments of the bike. And if the cyclist grows, it would be desirable to be able to adjust the bike to suit him. Moreover, the presence of adjustments allows you to make the bike more comfortable and safe for the child.
Depending on the age of the child, all children's bicycles can be divided into the following groups:
Most likely this is the child's first bicycle. When choosing one, you first need to take care of the safety of the cyclist. The bicycle must be stable, have three wheels or, if height and physical condition allow, four wheels (with additional rear side wheels). It should be light enough for a child to be able to move it from its place. It is advisable that the steering wheel does not rotate around its axis, but has a rotation limiter that will not allow the child to hit the steering wheel during a sharp turn.
The bicycle must have a chain guard installed to prevent the baby’s clothing from getting caught in the chain when moving.
The bicycle must have reliable foot brakes. Hand brakes are not recommended because in a critical situation a child may become confused and will not be able to press the brake handle with sufficient force.
When choosing a children's bicycle for this age group, you should pay attention to the driving characteristics of the bicycle. The best choice would be a bicycle with 16-inch wheels and removable rear and side wheels, since at this age children can already be taught to ride on two wheels.
As before, you should choose foot brakes; they are reliable and safer for a small cyclist.
Although some manufacturers make bikes for this age with derailleurs, I don't think it's worth buying them. They cost more, but the child still wants to ride rather than think about gears and changing them. At best, he simply will not use them.
Basically, at this age, children are already confident on wheels, and therefore it’s time to choose a more “pumped up” bike. Usually these are bicycles with 20-inch wheels, but if the child’s height allows, then you can take a 24-inch bicycle. If necessary, additional wheels can be installed on 20-inch wheels if the cyclist is not yet confident on two. When choosing a bicycle for a child in this age group, you need to take a closer look at the child’s riding style; if he prefers a quiet ride and does not ride often, 20 inch wheels will be more suitable for him. And if he prefers fast riding or riding outside the city on rough terrain, it is better to choose a bike with 24 inch wheels.
It is better to have foot brakes on a bicycle, but you can choose a bicycle with additional hand brakes so that the child gets used to them.
At this age, you can already buy a bicycle with a gear shift and a front shock absorber, if the child’s riding style suggests that they may be useful to him.
Bicycles for this age group can be called teenagers. They are essentially copies of adult bicycles, only smaller in size. They may already have front and rear shock absorbers. Wheel diameter is 24 inches. Speed switches.
The brake systems of these bicycles are manual.
When choosing a teenager's bicycle, pay attention to the weight; it is advisable that it does not exceed 10 kilograms, with the exception of bicycles for extreme disciplines, where the main criterion is the strength of the bicycle.
An approximate table of types of children's bicycles depending on age and height.
|
Child's age |
Child's height |
Wheel diameter |
Brakes |
Number of speeds |
|
1.5 - 3 years |
up to 98 cm |
12 inch |
Rear foot |
|
|
35 years |
up to 115 cm |
16 inches |
Rear foot |
|
|
5 - 7 years |
up to 130 cm |
20 inches |
Rear foot + front manual V-brake |
1 - 6 |
|
7 - 12 years |
from 130 cm |
24 inches |
Manual V-brake |
1 - 18 |
|
9 - 12 years |
from 135 cm |
24 inches |
Front and rear manual V-brake |
1 - 21 |
Task 1 of 15
Right
f) tow bicycles;
Wrong
6. Requirements for cyclists
6.6. A cyclist is prohibited from:
d) while driving, hold on to another vehicle;
f) tow bicycles;
Task 2 of 15
Right
6. Requirements for cyclists
6.6. A cyclist is prohibited from:
Wrong
6. Requirements for cyclists
6.6. A cyclist is prohibited from:
b) move on highways and roads for cars, as well as on the roadway if there is a bicycle path nearby;
Task 3 of 15
Right
6. Requirements for cyclists
Wrong
6. Requirements for cyclists
6.5. If a bicycle lane crosses a road outside an intersection, cyclists must give way to other vehicles traveling on the road.
Task 4 of 15
Right
6. Requirements for cyclists
22. Cargo transportation
Wrong
6. Requirements for cyclists
6.4. A cyclist can only carry such loads that do not interfere with driving the bicycle and do not create obstacles for other road users.
22. Cargo transportation
22.3. Transportation of cargo is permitted provided that it:
b) does not interfere with the stability of the vehicle and does not complicate its control;
Task 5 of 15
Right
6. Requirements for cyclists
6.6. A cyclist is prohibited from:
Wrong
6. Requirements for cyclists
6.6. A cyclist is prohibited from:
e) carry passengers on a bicycle (except for children under 7 years old, transported on an additional seat equipped with securely fastened footrests);
Task 6 of 15
Right
16. Driving through intersections
Wrong
16. Driving through intersections
16.11. At an intersection of unequal roads, the driver of a vehicle moving on a secondary road must give way to vehicles approaching this intersection of carriageways on the main road, regardless of the direction of their further movement.
16.12. At the intersection of equivalent roads, the driver of a non-rail vehicle is obliged to give way to vehicles approaching from the right.
Tram drivers should follow this rule among themselves. At any uncontrolled intersection, a tram, regardless of the direction of its further movement, has an advantage over non-rail vehicles approaching it along an equivalent road.
16.14. If the main road at an intersection changes direction, drivers of vehicles moving along it must follow the rules for driving through intersections of equivalent roads.
This rule should be followed among themselves and by drivers driving on secondary roads.
Task 7 of 15
Right
6. Requirements for cyclists
6.6. A cyclist is prohibited from:
Wrong
6. Requirements for cyclists
6.6. A cyclist is prohibited from:
c) move on sidewalks and pedestrian paths (except for children under 7 years old on children's bicycles under the supervision of adults);
Task 8 of 15
Right
6. Requirements for cyclists
6.5. If a bicycle lane crosses a road outside an intersection, cyclists must give way to other vehicles traveling on the road.
Wrong
6. Requirements for cyclists
6.5. If a bicycle lane crosses a road outside an intersection, cyclists must give way to other vehicles traveling on the road.
Task 9 of 15
Right
6. Requirements for cyclists
Wrong
6. Requirements for cyclists
6.3. Cyclists traveling in groups must ride one after another so as not to interfere with other road users. A column of cyclists moving along the roadway must be divided into groups (up to 10 cyclists in a group) with a movement distance between groups of 80-100 m.
Task 10 of 15
Right
16. Driving through intersections
16.11. At an intersection of unequal roads, the driver of a vehicle moving on a secondary road must give way to vehicles approaching this intersection of carriageways on the main road, regardless of the direction of their further movement.
Wrong
16. Driving through intersections
16.11. At an intersection of unequal roads, the driver of a vehicle moving on a secondary road must give way to vehicles approaching this intersection of carriageways on the main road, regardless of the direction of their further movement.
16.13. Before turning left and making a U-turn, the driver of a non-rail vehicle must give way to a tram in the same direction, as well as to vehicles moving on an equivalent road in the opposite direction straight or to the right.
Task 11 of 15
Right
16. Driving through intersections
Wrong
8. Traffic regulation
8.3. Traffic controller signals take precedence over traffic light signals and road sign requirements and are mandatory. Traffic lights, other than flashing yellow ones, take precedence over priority road signs. Drivers and pedestrians must comply with the additional requirements of the traffic controller, even if they contradict traffic lights, road signs and markings.
16. Driving through intersections
16.6. When turning left or turning around when the main traffic light is green, the driver of a non-rail vehicle is obliged to give way to a tram in the same direction, as well as to vehicles moving straight in the opposite direction or turning right. Tram drivers should follow this rule among themselves.
Task 12 of 15
Right
8. Traffic regulation
Wrong
8. Traffic regulation
8.7.6. To regulate traffic at railway crossings, traffic lights with two red signals or one white-moon and two red signals are used, having the following meanings:
a) flashing red signals prohibit the movement of vehicles through the crossing;
b) a flashing white-lunar signal indicates that the alarm system is working and does not prohibit vehicle movement.
At railway crossings, simultaneously with the prohibitory traffic light signal, an audible signal may be turned on, additionally informing road users that movement through the crossing is prohibited.
Task 13 of 15
Right
16. Driving through intersections
16.11. At an intersection of unequal roads, the driver of a vehicle moving on a secondary road must give way to vehicles approaching this intersection of carriageways on the main road, regardless of the direction of their further movement.
16.14. If the main road at an intersection changes direction, drivers of vehicles moving along it must follow the rules for driving through intersections of equivalent roads.
This rule should be followed among themselves and by drivers driving on secondary roads.
Wrong
16. Driving through intersections
16.11. At an intersection of unequal roads, the driver of a vehicle moving on a secondary road must give way to vehicles approaching this intersection of carriageways on the main road, regardless of the direction of their further movement.
16.14. If the main road at an intersection changes direction, drivers of vehicles moving along it must follow the rules for driving through intersections of equivalent roads.
This rule should be followed among themselves and by drivers driving on secondary roads.
16 Driving through intersections
Wrong
8. Traffic regulation
8.7.3. Traffic light signals have the following meanings:
A signal in the form of an arrow that allows a left turn also allows a U-turn if it is not prohibited by road signs.
A signal in the form of a green arrow(s) in the additional section(s), switched on together with the green traffic light signal, informs the driver that he has priority in the direction(s) of movement indicated by the arrow(s) over vehicles moving from other directions;
f) a red signal, including a flashing one, or two red flashing signals prohibit movement.
A signal in the form of a green arrow(s) in the additional section(s), together with a yellow or red traffic light signal, informs the driver that movement is permitted in the indicated direction, subject to the unhindered passage of vehicles moving from other directions.
A green arrow on a sign installed at the level of a red traffic light with a vertical arrangement of signals allows movement in the indicated direction when the red traffic light is on from the rightmost lane (or the leftmost lane on one-way roads), subject to the provision of priority in traffic to its other participants moving from other directions to a traffic light signal allowing movement;
16 Driving through intersections
16.9. While driving in the direction of the arrow turned on in the additional section simultaneously with a yellow or red traffic light, the driver must give way to vehicles moving from other directions.
When driving in the direction of the green arrow on the table installed at the level of the red traffic light with vertical signals, the driver must take the extreme right (left) lane and give way to vehicles and pedestrians moving from other directions.
– an affordable vehicle that does not harm the environment. Easy to store, repairable at home, convenient to use both in the park and on the road.
In this article, we will talk about how to choose the right types of bicycles according to height: children's, mountain, hybrid and road.
Take a minute and measure your height without shoes. It is important to know your height in order to choose the right bike based on its size.
Size is the dimensions of bicycle frames in inches, centimeters, or written down in symbols. Large frame sizes (L, XL, XXL) are built with thicker wall tubes to support the greater weight of a taller rider. A smaller bike weighs on average 150-200 grams less than the neighboring, larger size. A bicycle with a small frame is more maneuverable and easier to hold upright than a bicycle with a huge frame. On models with large frames, you can get into the ideal position to achieve maximum speed.
The choice of bike depends on several factors. First, decide on the type of bike: mountain, road, hybrid or children's. Having made a choice, we understand the design and dimensions of the frame, which is measured in inches.
The behavior of a bicycle is influenced by the geometry of the frame. The main elements that determine the frame’s response to external influences:
A popular frame parameter is the length of the top tube, but frame size is usually determined by the length of the seat tube. It is important to understand that the frame geometry can be arbitrary and frames with the same length can have different sizes. To determine the required frame length, rest your elbow on the “nose” of the saddle and place your hand on the handlebar stem. Your fingers should rest on the stem cover.
The size of the frame depends on the height of the person; short people need smaller frames. Frame size is measured in two ways:
Traditionally, road bike frame size is measured in centimeters or millimeters, while hybrid and mountain bike frame size is measured in inches.
Mountain Bike Frame Sizes
When choosing a bike for extreme disciplines (street, downhill, etc.), smaller frames are used, which increases maneuverability when jumping and performing tricks.
The base of the bicycle also depends on the overall length of the frame and the angle of the steering tube. Formula for selecting a bike: D=d*0.56/2.54 D – frame size; d – leg length; 0.56 – ratio of leg length to height; 2.54 – conversion of inches to cm
For children's bicycles and balance bikes of the B'TWIN brand, there are the following height restrictions:
| Frame size, inch | Height, cm |
| 75-95 | |
| 12” | 95-101 |
| 101-115 | |
| 115-128 | |
| 126-155 |
The features of road bikes make them suitable for long trips on flat roads. Therefore, this issue should be approached more carefully and seriously.
There is a statement: the larger the diameter of the bicycle wheels, the greater the speed the bicycle can develop. The larger the diameter, the greater the speed at the same axis rotation speed. It’s just that to spin a wheel of a larger diameter, you need to put in more effort. So trust, but verify. The speed is much more noticeably affected by the tread pattern and tire dimensions, the pressure in the chamber and the general setting of all mechanisms.
Children's bike wheel diameter:
| Age, years | Height, cm | Wheel size, inch |
| from 1.5 to 3 | 75-88 | |
| from 2 to 4 | 88-98 | 12 |
| from 3 to 5 | 98-105 |
