The best bike for a 1 year old toddler

If you're desperate to get your 1-year-old toddler their first bike, you've definitely come to the correct place - welcome to Cycle Sprog!

We're here to give you independent advice on getting your child (and perhaps you!) cycling, whatever their age.

It's really exciting buying your child (or grandchild) their first bike, but please make sure you buy them one they fit now and will enjoy riding.

In this article, we cover a variety of different options of toddler bikes for 1-year-olds.

There can be a real difference in the physical abilities of children at this age, especially between those who have just turned one and those who are approaching their second birthday.

Each toddler will develop at a different rate, so please be patient and don’t force them to ride a bike if they’re not interested or not ready.

If they’re still crawling, then they’re not ready to ride a bike.

Of course a one year old won't be riding a pedal bike, but there are several options available which are mainly suitable from about 18 months and over, although some toddlers will be ready slightly earlier than that and others a lot later.

A pre-balance bike or toddle bike, which has 4 small wheels is a great choice to get them started and is suitable from as soon as they can toddle around.

After that, they can move onto a balance bike as pictured above.

If you don't know what one of these is, see our cunning titled post What is a Balance Bike.

The Wishbone is a 3 in 1 bike that is designed to grow with your child.

It starts out as a three-wheeler trike for toddlers with an inside leg of 27cm, which easily converts to a small two-wheeled balance bike.

For older children, the frame can be flipped and seat post extended to cater for children up to an inside leg of 46cm (probably about 4 years).

There is also a 2-in-1 version that skips the trike bit if your child doesn't need it.

Wishbone is a New Zealand based company, and their environmental credentials are worth mentioning.

The wooden version is made from sustainably produced birch and the plastic version from recycled carpet fibres and only one product is needed to span several years.

If your child can sit up unaided but can't yet walk (often about 12 months onwards) you can get them onto two wheels with the innovative Strider Rocking Base, which turns an ordinary Strider Balance bike into a rocker. No need for rocking horses anymore!!

The minimum inside leg measurement needs to be 22cm to fit this.

Cost wise, you do need to invest in both the bike and the base at the same time but this option means as soon as they're ready to progress to using the balance bike you just need to remove it from the base and away they go.