Freedom is a set of wheels — and for most of us, that freedom first meant exploring the neighborhood by bike, before wheels involved gas and insurance and a summer job

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Learning to ride a bike can be a rite of passage, but it’s also an invaluable skill- and confidence-builder for preschoolers. The best toddler bikes give kids the freedom to explore and to feel independent, while honing their motor skills. A great toddler bike also opens up a whole new world of adventures that you and your kids can pursue together.

Striders and balance bikes take pedals, cranks and chains out of the equation, letting kids walk and coast on two wheels, as they refine their sense of balance. Trikes offer maximum stability, letting kids explore and gain physical confidence until they’re ready to transition to two wheels. And pedal bikes with training wheels gives toddlers the chance to feel at home on a geared bike before making the leap to the real thing. Whether you choose striders, trikes, or bikes, however, the objectives are the same: to get outside as a family, to give toddlers the confidence they need to explore, and to let them practice navigating the world on a set of wheels that are safe, balanced, and adaptable.  

For biking safety tips, we consulted with Dr. Benjamin D. Hoffman, the chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention. He advises parents to look closely at the manufacturers’ recommendations for age and weight limits, in short: “who can use it and how it’s supposed to be used.”

Little kids should also be supervised, and everyone — but everyone — should wear a helmet while biking. Seattle Children’s Hospital advises that a helmet should sit level on your child’s head and rest low on the forehead, with about one to two finger widths’ above the eyebrows. The straps should be even, form a Y under each earlobe, and fit snugly but loose enough that your child can breathe.
The Best Bikes, Striders and Trikes for Toddlers fatherly-toddlerbikes-20"] S3 LIKI TRIKE Toddler Bike by Doona
Let's start with the best part of this bike: It comes fully assembled, and it seamlessly grows with your child through the toddler years. It goes from push mode to tricycle mode to ride-on bike mode. It's suitable for kids ages 10 months to 3 years old. And it collapses for easy storage.
BUY NOW $249.00

Toddler Bike by Huffy
If you’re looking for an affordable starter bike for a toddler, the 12-inch Huffy is a great choice. It has front hand/rear coaster brakes, a durable steel frame and a chain guard dazzle. It also boasts a specially designed padded seat with a slot for a helping hand — so beginner riders can get a little assistance from mom or dad. While it’s recommended for kids 3 and up, the upper age limit is 5 — this is a small bike that your kid may outgrow more quickly.
Buy Now $115.99

Freestyle Kid's Bike by RoyalBaby
For those who believe that swimming is best learned in the deep end, the RoyalBaby kid's bike is the perfect place to start. Built in the traditional design, a lot of functionality will carry over when a kid transitions to a regular bike later. A bell, a water bottle, training wheels, and two types of brakes makes this the most complex bike on the list. But pedals are the biggest departure, as this unit can transform to a regular bike with the twist of a few bolts. If you’re looking far down the line and want something that has the greatest latitude, this is the bike. This bike is designed for kids ages 3 and older. This is a lot of bike, making it intimidating for some new riders — which is exactly why the balance-bike style has become so popular. But you likely learned to ride on a similar bike, and so did generations past. Your child can do it too.
Buy Now $134.99 Sport Balance Kids' Bike by Strider
Though the pedal-less bike hearkens back to the earliest days of the two-wheeled vehicle, there’s still something radical about these bikes. The hefty steel frame and rugged, puncture-proof tires let kids explore fearlessly, without getting tangled up in pedals. The adjustable seat means even little kids can walk and balance the bike, helping kids 18 months to 5 years old learn to ride at their own pace. The robust construction adds weight, but if you’re looking for five years’ worth of longevity in a bike, you may appreciate the extra heft.
Buy Now $109.99 Kids Balance Bike by Retrospec Cub
This is great learning bike for toddlers, with a genius for adaptability. Retrospec’s Cub balance bike lets kids practice walking and coasting, until they’re ready to graduate — someday — to a big kid’s pedal bike. Once they’re comfortable balancing the bike, they can gain some speed and tuck their feet up on the metal footrest positioned just in front of the back tire, refining their balance at higher speeds before making that crucial transition. With a steel frame and hard, foam tires that make flats obsolete, this is also one tough bike. Good for kids 20 months to 5 years old, with adjustable seat posts and handlebars.
Buy Now $59.99 Banana Bike LT
The strength of the Banana Bike LT is its price: As the most affordable on this list, it’s the greatest value. If concept is king, then your choice is easy. Solid foam tires, an easy step-through balance bike design, and an adjustable seat make this a middle-of-the-road performer. For those who are concerned that their child will use this only occasionally, it’s a low-risk investment. Designed for kids 18 months and up, this is a solid, affordable balance bike that does the job, with quality and materials to match those expectations.
Buy Now $59.99 Classic Bike by Banwood
A beautiful bike, this one is about more than just good looks. It's fully loaded: The bike has 16 inch tires, back pedal brakes, a front adjustable caliper brake lever that kids can easily work themselves, and an adjustable handlebar and seat, of course. It's ideal for kids 4 and up, or kids who have outgrown balance bikes. The bike weighs just over 17 pounds.
BUY NOW $349.00
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