How to Choose a Bike Size for a Toddler
- 1). Take your child with you when you choose a bike size. If the bicycle is supposed to be a surprise, tell him that you are just browsing. Once you pass the bicycle area he will probably want to try one out. You can use this time to measure the correct size of bicycle.
- 2). Position your toddler on the bicycle seat; he should be able to place the balls of both feet flat on the floor. If he can do this, you know you have chosen the right size. Choosing a bicycle with an adjustable seat will allow the bike to fit him well for a couple of years, until he is old enough to graduate to a larger bike.
- 3). Allow your child to stand while straddling the center bar of the bicycle. He should be able to straddle the bar and have both feet firmly on the ground. There should be a space of 1 inch or more between the crotch area and the bicycle center bar, the Moms' Buzz website says. Consider buying a bike without the center bar, such as an old-fashioned girls or trainer bicycle. This will help prevent injuries while your child is learning to ride correctly.
- 4). Look on the bicycle label to see the size. Most manufacturers recommend a 12- to 14-inch bicycle for children ages 2 to 6, the International Bicycle Fund website says.
- 5). Allow the child to try out the brakes on the bicycle. Many young children do not have the strength to squeeze hand brakes. Coaster brakes may be better.
- 6). Purchase safety equipment along with the new bicycle for your toddler. Equipment such as elbow pads and kneepads and a well-fitting helmet will make all the difference in the world when your child has the inevitable accident. It is also helpful to dress your child in long sleeves and pants to better protect his skin in falls.
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