Give the best children's bike as an Easter present
April 2, 2025
Children's bicycle manufacturers are looking forward to Easter. Nearly 60-70% of all children's bicycles are given as gifts for this occasion! Naturally, parents are happy to spend more on their little ones so they have the best equipment and can enjoy cycling safely and with pleasure. We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions from parents and grandparents about children's bicycles and answered them for you here.
- What size bicycle is right for my child?
- How much does a good children's bicycle cost ?
- Is Easter the best time to buy a children's bicycle?
- What equipment is absolutely essential for a children's bicycle?
- Which are the best children's bicycle brands?
What bicycle size is suitable for children?
Children grow quickly. Accordingly, their bicycles need to grow with them, because only the right size ensures a comfortable ride, enjoyment while cycling, and the development of proper movement patterns. The absolute best tip is therefore to buy the bike with your child. This allows them to try out different sizes in person, provide feedback on which ones are comfortable, and the local bike shop can offer valuable advice.
However, the following generally applies:
- The handlebars should be higher than the saddle and easy to turn.
- The seating position on a child's bicycle is upright.
- The child should be able to reach the ground well with the balls of their feet.
If the bike is too small or the child feels unsteady, the joy of cycling quickly disappears.
How much does a good children's bicycle cost?
The transition from a balance bike to a first pedal bike is gradual, and as with everything, there's a price range. The smallest bikes with 12-inch wheels (for children between 2 and 6 years old) start at €280 new.
Larger models for teenagers between 10 and 14 years old start at €600 and go well over €2,000.
More important than the price is that bicycles for toddlers comply with the EN ISO 8098 standard. This standard ensures that the wheels have no sharp edges and that corners are rounded to be child-safe.
Used instead of new
Children outgrow their new bikes very quickly. Used bicycles, therefore, often only have one season and relatively few kilometers on them.
A tip from parents for parents: Buy brand-name bikes on online marketplaces in the fall, and resell your child's old bike on these sites at Easter. This is good for your wallet, gives others a chance to own a high-quality bike, and optimally supports the circular economy.
Some specialist retailers offer refurbished children's bicycles, which can be exchanged for a new children's bicycle every year for a certain fee.
Is Easter the best time to buy a children's bicycle?
As mentioned, almost 66% of all children's bicycles are given as gifts at Easter. Consequently, demand and prices are high at that time. Easter is therefore not the cheapest time to buy a bicycle.
Sales figures show that prices are usually best in January. This is because the Christmas shopping season is over, but retailers often still have full stocks of many sizes and colors.
Anyone wanting to get rid of an old children's bicycle should take advantage of this high demand at Easter and place an ad on resale websites a few weeks in advance.
What equipment is absolutely essential for a children's bicycle?
When parents or grandparents give the bicycle as a gift, it's a great opportunity for other family members to add something else that will bring joy and security to the child.
Absolutely essential: a protective helmet
Wearing a helmet is absolutely essential. In Austria , it's even legally required for children under 12. A young child's head is heavier and larger than an adult's compared to the rest of their body, so it needs extra protection.
Popular: Knee and elbow pads
Cautious parents can, of course, also opt for knee and elbow pads to prevent injuries in case of a fall. These joints are most prone to scrapes, as they tend to be located furthest outwards. Some parents also like to send gloves along when cycling.
Essential: Lighting
Strong, active lighting is absolutely essential. This isn't so much about kids constantly riding at night, but simply because children are extremely easy to overlook in traffic. Children's bicycles are small, and so are their riders. And the smaller the road user, the higher the risk of being overlooked. Therefore, it's crucial to make the silhouette as clear as possible: by placing lights as high and as far to the outside as possible.
At the latest when the kids start going to school, the lighting must already be in place and its use must have become second nature.
Very useful: turn signals
A bicycle turn signal is valuable for two reasons:
- Active lighting massively increases visibility, which is crucial for small children on equally small bicycles.
- Furthermore, children often struggle with balance. Having both hands on the handlebars helps immensely, because more control means better balance, and better balance prevents falls. Fewer falls also mean more fun on the bike!
Based on our experience at trade fairs, kids master the Flasher turn signal gesture extremely quickly. The turn signal then gives them the necessary safety and balance while cycling.
No training wheels
Experts often advise against training wheels. They alter the child's riding experience, potentially leading to bad habits and poor posture. Furthermore, they tend to be more harmful than helpful on sidewalks and curbs.
By far the best gift in the Easter basket:
Flasher Duo
Description
The smartest bicycle and e-scooter lights in the world:
- Gesture control turn signal indicators
- 4 modes with ultra-bright 360° LEDs
- Automatic emergency brake lights
- Compliant with road regulations & water-resistant
- Additional features via Flasher app [optional]
Which are the best children's bicycle brands?
Of course, the right brand also depends partly on the budget. However, here are a handful of extremely good bicycle manufacturers that produce excellent bikes, both new and used. Puky specializes specifically in children's bikes, but other popular brands like Cube and Decathlon also offer children's models.
Most importantly, as mentioned above, the wheel must meet the EN ISO 8098 standard. Well-known brands recently received critical ratings from Stiftung Warentest (a German consumer testing organization).
PUKY
For 75 years, the children's bike specialist PUKY from Düsseldorf has been dedicated to fostering the natural joy of movement and providing children with fantastic bikes. Their product range includes baby bikes, balance bikes, bikes for teenagers, and scooters.
Price range: €95 - €700
Mountain bike brand EIGHTSHOT: 430€ - 2500€
Cube
The Bavarian bicycle specialist CUBE offers solid children's models in its catalog. The Rad Kid 200 Street, in particular, performs well. It is ideally suited for children and also impresses in terms of road safety.
Price range: €330 - €2,015
ACID 200 Street: €420
Decathlon
Decathlon, based in France, is one of the world's largest sporting goods manufacturers. Decathlon's children's bikes perform well, and their prices are also very competitive.
Price range: €38 - €600
E-mountain bike: €1,200