Whether you were a wee nipper or well into your twenties before you learned to ride a bike, you probably remember your first experiences on two wheels.
For some, it was wobbling down a caravan camp path in Kent in the ‘80s (that’d be me), having been launched without stabilisers by a parent. For others, it will have been asking a seasoned pal to show us the ropes of navigating London’s terrifying roads, as a grown-up (still me). Cycling is a fantastic way for kids to learn motor skills, stay active, and later develop independence, so it’s a great idea to get them into it at an early age.
Back in the day, stabilisers would have been how many of us learned to cycle, i.e. a small fixture of two wheels keeping the bike stable before balancing skills are developed. However, balance bikes are a popular option for toddlers. These are bikes without pedals which children scoot along on, helping them to gain balancing skills before their first “proper” bike.
Whatever you choose, it’s important to make sure you have found the correct size for your little one.
A bike that is too big or too small can be uncomfortable - even dangerous - to ride, due to a lack of control. Bikes are measured by wheel size, and whilst various sites can give you a ballpark figure (around 12-inches for a four-year-old, but it can fall anywhere between 10-14 inches according to Halfords), children come in all shapes and sizes, and there is no substitute for getting them properly fitted in-store.
Also make sure you have the correct, right-sized protective gear, in particular, a reliable (not second-hand) helmet, all of which can easily be found in high-street stores such as Argos, Evans, and Halfords.
Best bikes for four-year-olds at a glance
If you’re looking for a bike to help your toddler learn the freeing and fun art of riding, we’ve gathered the best options available online now.
Shop the selection below
Strider 14” Sport Balance bike
Best: all rounder
Strider Bikes was the brain-child of dad, Ryan McFarland, who said he became “obsessed” with trying to find a suitable learn-to-ride vehicle for his son. As he watched him try to learn, he noticed that the vehicles were too big, heavy and complicated, and made it his mission to bring something new to the market.
Strider makes lightweight bikes, designed to grow with your child, so the 14” is adjustable and you can convert the balance bike to a pedal bike with the additional Easy-Ride pedal conversion kit (sold separately). It means that, in theory this bike could last a child from three to seven years of age.
Buy now £199.99, Very
Evo Balance bike
Best: on a budget
Perhaps on the smaller side for a four-year-old with a 10-inch wheel, this balance bike will suit a child up to that age from two years. At £25 it is one of the most economical on the market, and has a fun unicorn design which is bound to appeal to young riders.
Buy now £34.99, Evan's Cycles
Balance Blossom bike 12”
Best for: bigger balancers
Levelling up, in terms of balance bikes, but still a very affordable option, this lightweight and durable bike will last until your child is a little older. With a 12-inch wheel, this bike is probably more size-appropriate for a four-year-old and is super simple to put together in just a few minutes, since it is already partially assembled.
Buy now £55.00, Argos
Apollo Jungle 12” bike
Best for: staying secure
This pedal bike has front and rear brakes for small learners, as well as removable stabilisers which can come off as your young cyclist grows in confidence, or straight off the bat if they can manage without. It has a chainguard, which means no greasy stains to scrub at on their trousers (from the chain, at least) and keeps little fingers out of harm’s way.
The jungle design is perfect for parents wanting to avoid the dreaded unicornification of all girls’ toys, and you can even buy a matching helmet, separately.
Best of all, it comes with a detachable handle if they burn off a bit too much steam in the park and need help getting home, or just a bit of assistance steering.
Buy now £120.00, Halfords
woom ORIGINAL 3
Best: to grow into
Woom bikes were founded by bike-mad dads Marcus Ihlenfeld and Christian Bezedka in a garage in 2013 but have picked up a massive following and a fair few awards over the last decade, with stylish, safety-focussed designs.
The woom ORIGINAL 3 has a low centre of gravity but high, upright handlebars which helps little ones not only improve balance, but also ensure good visibility around them. It has a lightweight frame at 5.4kg, which makes it good for children who are starting to make longer journeys. With a 16-inch wheel, this is perhaps for a slightly taller four-year-old, but will last them a while.
Buy now £419.00, woom
Frog 40 first pedal bike
Best for: safety
Frog Bikes come highly recommended, with their designs developed alongside ground-breaking research by sports scientists at Brunel University.
While children’s bikes have to meet various safety standards, Frog Bikes test theirs to adult standards for extra safety. While it is fair to say you will pay a pretty penny for a first-hand Frog Bike, they are designed for robustness and adaptability to ensure they last longer – besides, you know what they say about buying cheap.
The Frog 40 is a 14-inch first-pedal bike for three to four-year-olds. With a lightweight 6.46kg aluminium frame, it's easy to manoeuvre and carry and great for transitioning from a balance bike. Designed for comfort and control, with small easy-to-reach levers, and sturdy tyres for stability.
Buy now £380.00, Sports Direct
Jet BMX Yoof 14”
Best for: budding tricksters
BMX bikes are designed for quick sprints and jumps, and models for adults generally have just one gear, making them less well-suited to longer rides. For any future Beth Shrievers, they also offer entry-level bikes for little ones just starting out, perhaps in one of the many 2012 legacy parks, built for the London Olympics.
The Jet Yoof 14-inch comes in three colours and is a popular choice at a comparatively affordable price.
Buy now £239.99, Source BMX
Bobbin Gingersnap 16”
Best for: aesthetic
Bobbin bikes are known for their cutesy vintage styles, similar to the Dutch bike aesthetic. They have a whole range of bikes for kids and adults alike, but we particularly like the Gingersnap 16-inch, a scaled-down version of their adult bike. It’s ideal if you fancy matching your brood with your own style. It comes with a beautiful wicker basket and shiny silver bell, and matching stabilisers while your child learns and gains confidence.
Buy now £169.15, Bobbin
