Honorable Mentions
Photograph: Adrienne So
Linus Roadster for $349: We tried the 20-inch Roadster and it’s a little kids’ bike, with coaster brakes and no gears. The reach is also a little far for a 7-year-old. However, it is a beautiful bike, with an aluminum alloy frame and gorgeous, vegan leather handlebar grips and seat. You also get a bell and a kickstand.
ByK E-450 for $191: This first pedal bike has an alloy frame that puts its weight at an insanely light 18 pounds. It’s also cheap for everything you get—a big saddle, a bell, and both coaster brakes and hand brakes.
The Best Accessories
Getting the bike is the first step. Here are a few bike accessories my children use every day.
Giro Fixture II Helmet for $75: We’ve tried pretty much every helmet out there. Style-wise, my kids tend to prefer the skateboard-style helmets, like the Lil Linus ($69). But personally, for my own peace of mind, I prefer to put them into the Giro MIPS helmet, which is more comfortable and versatile for camping and mountain biking. The vents are bigger and it’s a little lighter.
OTTOLOCK Sidekick lock: Unless you’re splurging on the $1,200 mountain bike above, kids don’t generally need the slight upgrade in security from a Kryptonite lock that weighs and costs twice as much as this 1.65-pound, $40 U-lock. The Sidekick has three keys so you can give your child one to teach responsibility, keep one at home, and still have a spare on your own keyring. It also has a nice soft silicone cover which dramatically lessens the chances of your kid needing another tetanus shot. Both my children and reviewer Martin Cizmar’s daughter have been using this lock at their elementary schools with no problems. We will update our Best Bike Locks story soon.
Thousand Front Traveller Magnetic Bike Light for $35: Kid bike lights are different from adult bike lights; my 7-year-old is not biking 12 miles in the dark at 25 mph without me. I want bike lights that are affordable and easy to take off and stash in a bag or pocket. This is my favorite light for my kids’ bikes, but if the bad reviews scare you, we also like these.