EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO GET YOUR KID ON THE RIGHT BIKES

IN THIS ALWAYS-CONNECTED, ONLINE gaming, TikTok-centric world, it's no longer a given that kids are excited about bicycles. Luckily, parents have plenty of reasons to get excited on their behalf.

- JACK BARUTH

According to a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2022), cycling has several health and social benefits for children. Get a kid on two wheels at a young age and they'll see better cardiorespiratory fitness, as well as improved balance, strength, and eye-hand coordination, that will last a lifetime. Cycling also teaches kids to interact with other people and make new friendships, and allows for greater mobility, enabling them to become more independent and active. It's a great way to get a child away from the tyranny of the screen and into the wild outdoors, where all the experiences are real.

To set your child up for success, you must first choose the right bike. A bike that's uncomfortable, too heavy, or not the right size has a better chance of collecting dust in the garage than kicking it up on the trail. Thankfully, the days of one-size-fits-all BMX-style bikes are all but over. Companies like woom, Trailcraft, Cleary, and others are committed to building bicycles that are optimized for children.

"In order to create the best riding experience for kids, it is crucial to offer a bike that is specifically built for them and their needs, and not just a shrunken version of an adult bike," says Mathias Ihlehfeld, CEO of woom. The mainline manufacturers, too, are taking their cues from their specialist competition, making their products better than ever for the kids who ride them.

What's great about the new generation of children's bicycles? To begin with, overall weights are way down and that really matters. While most of us adults have reluctantly accepted that shaving a pound or two off our bikes won't guarantee us a spot on the podium, children can and do benefit tremendously from a similar savings. So don't be afraid to spend extra for a lighter bike.