Best bikes for girls: Everything you need to know

If you’re searching online for bikes for girls, you’re not alone. Whether you're buying a little girls first bike or upgrading to a bigger size, it can be overwhelming knowing where to start. At Cycle Sprog we’re dedicated to helping parents pick the best kids bikes for their children that are actually built for the job.

Many bikes marketed specifically to girls focus heavily on colour and styling, often featuring baskets, tassels or themed graphics. While these features may appeal to many little girls, it’s also important to consider the bike’s weight, build quality and suitability for regular use. Some cheap bikes for girls can be quite heavy and less durable, which may affect how easily a child can ride and enjoy their bike over time.

Bikes for girls: A little girl wearing all pink and a pink mountain bike helmet is propping her red bike against a wall

In this guide, we’ll help you focus on what really matters when choosing a good quality bike for a girl. With a growing number of manufacturers now offering unisex bikes in a wide range of colours – including popular shades like pink and purple – families can have more flexibility when it comes to passing bikes down to younger siblings or reselling them in future.

We’ll explain what features to look out for at different ages and stages, including step-through frames for cycling to school in a skirt or dress, and female-specific fit and components for teens whose bodies are changing. 

You’ll also find suggestions for fun bike accessories for girls, advice on what to avoid, and tips for getting the best value, including why a quality girls bike will last longer and be easier to sell on or pass down to younger siblings. We'll also explain how riding the wrong size bike can affect your daughter's enjoyment and confidence, and how to measure her so you know which size bike to buy.

Once you’ve got an idea of what sort of bike to look for, check out our other buying guides for even more options, or use our Kids Bike Search to access our full database of children’s bikes.

Cycle Sprog is a reader-supported website. When you buy through links on this page we may earn an affiliate commission.

need more bike buying advice infographic. free download of Cycle Sprog's bike buying guide- dowload now

need more bike buying advice infographic. free download of Cycle Sprog's bike buying guide- dowload now

B’Twin Runride 500 (10 inch)

bikes for girls: The btwin runride 500 pink seen from the side on a blank background

  • Price: £69.99
  • Wheels: 10 inches
  • Age range: 1+ years
  • Weight: 3.4kg
  • Height: 85-105cm
  • Colours: Pink/beige

While most children will start out on a 12-inch balance bike, once they're old enough to hold themselves up and scoot along they can learn to toddle along. 10-inch balance bikes like the Btwin Runride 500 are a brilliant option for a very young little girl (1+ years) taking her first steps into the world of cycling. At 3.4kg, it’s easy to handle and designed with young children in mind, featuring a low frame for easy mounting, a curved saddle to support proper positioning, and integrated footrests to encourage balancing. The standout Stop Easy braking system offers child-friendly control, giving her the confidence to slow down safely using brakes tailored to smaller hands. Ball bearings in the wheels help her glide smoothly, promoting balance, coordination and spatial awareness as she grows. With adjustable saddle and handlebar height, the bike adapts as she does.

Buy New

Hornit AIRO 12 (12 inch)

bikes for girls: the hornit airo 12 in pink on a blank background

  • Price: £139.99
  • Wheels: 12 inches
  • Age range: 18 months - 5 years
  • Weight: 2.95kg
  • Inseam: 30-46cm
  • Colours: Pink, yellow, red, blue, green, white

If you're looking for a 12 inch girls bike, the Hornit AIRO 12 in Flamingo Pink is a fabulous first choice. Weighing just 2.95kg, it's incredibly light, making it easy for smaller riders to scoot, glide, and pick up confidence in no time. The curved footrests, smooth rubber tyres, and low-maintenance design add to the fun, while the tough magnesium alloy frame ensures it’ll withstand years of adventures. With a fully adjustable seat and a head-turning matte pink finish, the AIRO 12 is as practical as it is pretty - perfect for ages 18 months to 5 years.

Buy New

Frog Tadpole Plus (14 inch balance bike)

bikes for girls: Frog tadpole plus in pink on a blank background

  • Price: £205.00 (Currently £164 at Decathlon)
  • Wheels: 14 inches
  • Age range: 3-4 years
  • Weight: 4.19kg
  • Inseam: 36-47cm
  • Colours: Pink, red, blue, green

The Frog Tadpole Plus is an ideal step up for a confident little rider aged 3 to 4 who’s eager to explore on two wheels. With its larger 14-inch wheels and lightweight 4.18kg frame, it’s easier to steer, lift, and carry - especially important for little girls still building their balance. Safety is a top priority, with features like a steering lock, small easy-to-reach brake levers, and top-mounted brake arms. With a quality build, kid-specific comfort, and award-winning design, the Tadpole Plus is perfect for girls who are ready to stride into cycling without training wheels holding them back.

Buy New

YOMO 14 (14 inch pedal bike)

best girls bikes: YOMO 14 kids bike in purple

  • Price: £320.00
  • Wheels: 14 inches
  • Age range: 3-5 years
  • Weight: 5.5kg
  • Inseam: 38-47cm
  • Colours: Purple, orange, green, red

The YOMO 14 is a brilliant first pedal bike for a little girl who’s mastered her balance bike and is ready to ride independently. Weighing just 5.5kg, it’s one of the lightest 14” bikes available, perfect for small riders gaining confidence. Its clever forward-leaning geometry helps kids stay balanced while reducing the risk of wobbles or tumbles, making it an ideal choice for building skills and independence. The low-maintenance design includes rust-free components and a fully enclosed chainguard to keep little fingers safe and trousers clean. Thoughtful details like mini V-brakes, narrow cranks, soft grips, and a comfy child-sized saddle make every ride more comfortable and controlled. Whether she’s cruising down the pavement or exploring the park, the YOMO 14 is built to help her ride further, faster, and with a huge smile on her face.

For more detail on this bike, take a look at our YOMO 14 review.

Buy New

woom 3 Automagic (16 inch)

best girls bikes - Woom 3 automagic - the smallest kids bike with gears and 16" wheels

  • Price: £459.00
  • Wheels: 16 inches
  • Age range: 4-6 years
  • Weight: 6.1kg
  • Height: 105-120cm
  • Colours: Purple, orange, green, blue, red

When it comes to finding the perfect girls first bike, the woom 3 Automagic is clever and lightweight, and an ideal 16" bike for a 4 year old girl who’s already mastered balancing and pedalling and is ready for her next cycling adventure. Weighing just 6.1kg, it’s incredibly light for a geared bike, and the secret lies in its automatic 2-speed hub. As if by magic, the gears shift smoothly based on your child’s speed, switching up at around 11km/h (7mph) so she can ride faster on the flat without losing control or getting tired. There’s no need for her to worry about changing gears manually - everything happens behind the scenes, letting her focus on having fun. The upright riding position and low frame help her feel stable and confident, whether she’s cruising through the park or pedalling up small hills. A perfect next step for a young rider with places to go and the wind in her hair.

 

Buy New

Kidvelo Rookie 18 (18 inch)

bikes for girls: Kidvelo Rookie 18 in pink on a blank background

  • Price: £275.00 
  • Wheels: 18 inches
  • Age range: 5+ years
  • Weight: 5.5kg (balance mode) / 7.1kg (pedal mode)
  • Inseam: 48-71cm
  • Colours: Pink, red, blue, green

For girls aged 5 to 8 who are still mastering balance or need a bit more time before tackling pedals, the Kidvelo Rookie 18 is a wonderfully supportive choice. It starts life as a balance bike and effortlessly transforms into a lightweight pedal bike when she’s ready - meaning no need to buy a second bike. The clever design makes it easy to switch back and forth depending on confidence levels. It’s also a brilliant option for children with additional needs who may benefit from an unrushed, flexible learning pace. This two-in-one design gives your child the freedom to progress at her own speed, with style and confidence.

Buy New

B’Twin Riverside 500 (20 inch)

bikes for girls: The Btwin 20 Riverside 500 in coral on a blank background

  • Price: £219.99 (Currently £199.99 at Decathlon)
  • Wheels: 20 inches
  • Age range: 6-9 years
  • Weight: 11.4kg
  • Height: 120-135cm
  • Colours: Coral pink

The Btwin Riverside 20 500 is a practical and confidence-boosting hybrid bike for girls age 6 to 8 who are ready to explore a mix of pavements and park paths. With 20” wheels and a six-speed grip shifter, she can enjoy tackling small hills or longer weekend rides with ease. The bike’s thoughtful design includes V-brakes suited to smaller hands, ergonomic semi-raised handlebars for a relaxed riding position, and an anti-derailment system to keep the chain in place and little legs clean. It’s fully equipped for everyday riding with mudguards, a sturdy kickstand, battery lights, and reflectors - ideal for cycling to school or around the neighbourhood. The soft, child-specific saddle and comfy hybrid tyres ensure smooth journeys, rain or shine.

Buy New

Frog 53 (20 inch)

bikes for girls: Frog 53 in pink on a blank background

  • Price: £425.00
  • Wheels: 20 inches
  • Age range: 5-7 years
  • Weight: 8.15kg
  • Inseam: 50–62cm
  • Colours: Pink, red, blue, green

The Frog 53 is a versatile 20-inch bike that’s perfect for 5 to 7-year-old girls who are ready for bigger adventures—whether that’s the school run, the park, or a towpath ride. Lightweight and thoughtfully designed with small hands and legs in mind, it features 8-speed gears, a comfy child-sized saddle, and specially sized cranks for smoother pedalling. With its lightweight frame, mudguards, and the option to attach a pannier rack, it’s ideal for growing independence. For girls who want to feel capable and confident on longer rides, the Frog 53 is a bike that will grow with them—and make every journey feel like freedom.

Buy New

Specialized Jett 20 (20 inch)

bikes for girls: Specialized Jett 20 in purple on a blank background

  • Price: £430.00
  • Wheels: 20 inches
  • Age range: 6+ years
  • Weight: 8.15kg
  • Inseam: 50–62cm
  • Colours: Purple, blue, turquoise, black

The Specialized Jett 20 is a beautifully engineered bike for adventurous girls who want a bike that keeps up with their growth and energy. With a featherlight frame, carefully proportioned components, and adjustable features like two-position cranks and longer seatposts, it’s built to fit perfectly, and stay that way. The 7-speed gearing is ideal for exploring further afield, whether she’s heading to school or tackling trails. With vibrant colour choices (including a stunning Gloss Raspberry / UV Lilac), the Jett 20 combines practical design with serious style - helping your young rider feel strong, in control, and ready to ride her own way.

Buy New

B’Twin Riverside 500 (24 inch)

bikes for girls: btwin riverside 24 500 on blank background

  • Price: £249.99 (Currently £199.99 at Decathlon)
  • Wheels: 24 inches
  • Age range: 7-10 years
  • Weight: 13.65kg
  • Height: 135-150cm
  • Colours: Coral pink

A perfect bike for a 7 year old girl gaining independence on longer rides or school commutes, the Btwin Riverside 24 500 offers all the versatility of a grown-up hybrid in a child-friendly size. With 24” wheels and a simple 6-speed grip shifter, she can handle a variety of terrain with confidence, from country trails to town roads. The bike features V-brakes adapted for smaller hands, protective guards to prevent messy chain slips, and an ergonomic saddle designed for comfort over longer distances. Mudguards, a kickstand, and front and rear battery lights make this a truly all-weather, all-purpose option. Whether she’s cycling to a friend’s house or heading out on a family ride, the Riverside 24 500 offers a comfortable, reliable, and stylish ride.

Buy New

woom Explore 5 (24 inch)

bikes for girls: A side view of the woom Explore 5 kids' bike on a blank background

  • Price: £585.00
  • Wheels: 24 inches
  • Age range: 7-11 years
  • Weight: 9kg
  • Height: 125–145cm
  • Colours: Pink, red, blue, green

The woom Explore 5 is an excellent choice of bike for a girl who’s ready to venture beyond the tarmac. It's super lightweight, yet rugged enough for family trail rides, gravel paths, or the school run. It features powerful child-specific hydraulic disc brakes for confident stopping in all conditions, a smooth-shifting 8-speed drivetrain, and grippy Schwalbe tyres that can handle varied terrain with ease. The adjustable handlebars, saddle, and seatpost mean the bike grows with your child, offering a comfortable, ergonomic fit over time. With a sleek frame, black rims, and optional colourful sticker sets for customisation, it’s perfect for girls who want a bike that’s both fun and functional.

Buy New

Specialized Jett 24 (24 inch)

bikes for girls: Specialized Jett 20 in purple on a blank background

  • Price: £460.00
  • Wheels: 24 inches
  • Age range: 7-10 years
  • Weight: 9.39kg
  • Height: 112–156cm
  • Colours: Clay/Lilac, blue, red, bronze, grey

The Specialized Jett 24 is thoughtfully designed and ideal for a girl who’s growing fast and starting to tackle longer rides. With a lightweight alloy frame, 8-speed gearing, and size-specific components, it’s made to be easy to ride while offering room to grow. The adjustable handlebars and tool-free brake reach help you achieve a perfect fit and safe handling as her confidence builds. Whether she’s riding to school, heading to the park, or exploring off-road trails, the Jett’s smooth ride and stylish colour optionsvmake it a popular choice.

Buy New

BTWIN Riverside 900 (26 inch)

Best 26" hybrid bikes for kids - The B’Twin Riverside 900 bike on a blank background

  • Price: £329.99
  • Wheels: 26 inches
  • Age range: 9-12 years
  • Weight: 10.5kg
  • Height: 135-150cm
  • Colours: Blue

While limited in colourways, the Btwin Riverside 26 900 is an excellent bike for young girls aged 9-12 years old. If you don't believe us, take a look at how our young reviewer got on in our Btwin Riverside 26 900 review! With 8 speeds and a relatively light 10.5kg weight, the Riverside 900 delivers a comfortable ride that's perfect for honing her confidence. It features an ergonomic Selle Royal saddle designed for kids morphology to help them stay comfortable on long rides. Meanwhile the hybrid tyres feature side knobs to help them stay balanced on light trails as well as paved paths.

Buy New

BTWIN Rockrider EXPL 500 (26 inch)

Best girls bikes - a purple rockrider mountain bike on a blank background

  • Price: £279.99
  • Wheels: 26 inches
  • Age range: 9-12 years
  • Weight: 14.5kg
  • Height: 135-150cm
  • Colours: Purple, orange, green, grey

If she's gaining confidence on the trails and wants to get properly into mountain biking then it's time for a purpose built bike with front suspension. While most mountain bikes for kids can be obviously marketed for boys, they're still great for girls to ride, but if she wants something a bit prettier then check out this lovely purple Btwin Rockrider 26 EXPL 500 girls mountain bike. It's not the lightest at 14.5kg but it's still easy enough to manoeuvre on the trails. With V-brakes and 1x7 speed gearing, it's a basic mountain bike ideal for beginners that's very affordable as well.

Buy New

Raleigh Juniper Classic (26 inch)

best girls bikes - The Raleigh Juniper in lilac is a classic style kids bike with a step through frame and basket

  • Price: £250.00
  • Wheels: 26 inches
  • Age range: 9-11 years
  • Weight: 15kg
  • Height: 135-150cm
  • Colours: Purple

The Raleigh Juniper Classic is a gorgeous vintage girls bike replica that resembles the classic bike with a wicker effect basket, cream coloured tyres and an upright riding position that will appeal to many girls. The chainguard helps them keep their clothes from getting dirty, while the low step-through frame makes it easy to ride to school in a school skirt or dress. It comes equipped with mudguards to protect them from splashes on wet roads, while the spring-suspended saddle is designed to cushion the ride for comfort.

Buy New

Frog City 67 (26 inch)

best girls bikes - A black Frog City 67 city bike on a plain background

  • Price: £590.00
  • Wheels: 26 inches
  • Age range: 10-12 years
  • Weight: 9.6kg
  • Height: 135-150cm
  • Colours: Black, blue

If she's cycling to school and wants something practical but a bit more grown up, then the Frog City 67 is an excellent choice: it still has that useful low step-through frame that makes it easy to cycle in a school skirt, plus the comfortable and confidence-boosting upright riding position. It's equipped with everything she needs for everyday cycling, including full length mudguards, a rear rack for attaching panniers for her school bags, a chain guard to keep her uniform from getting dirty, and a kickstand for easy parking. 8-speed gearing gives her what she needs to tackle undulating roads, and Frog quality is nothing to be sniffed at.

Buy New

Bikes for girls: a father kneeling beside his daughter who is riding a bike that is far too small

What size bike should you get?

It’s quite common for children to outgrow their bikes without parents realising straight away, especially if the bike is still in good condition or was chosen based on its appearance. Riding a bike that’s too small can make pedalling more difficult and tiring, especially on hills. Not only does this make their ride less comfortable, but it can impact the efficiency of their pedalling.

Regular sizing checks can help you make sure your child continues to enjoy their rides and gains confidence. It’s not uncommon for kids to lose interest in cycling simply because their bike doesn’t fit properly.

The good news is that it’s easy to check whether your child is due for the next size up. Take a look at our guide on what size kids bike you need and our step-by-step instructions on how to measure your child for a new bike. It's as simple as standing them with their back to a wall and placing a book firmly between their legs (like a bike saddle), then measuring from the floor to the top of the book to get their inside leg length.

Do girls need a different type of bike?

When children are younger, there’s very little physical difference between boys and girls that will affect their comfort on a bicycle, so there's usually no need for gender-specific bikes. In most cases when retailers advertise a bike as for girls or for boys, it’s based on the colour and accessories. A well-designed unisex bike, available in a variety of colours, is a far better investment than a poor quality girls pink bike.

That said, the colour and accessories aren’t always the only difference, and there are some features you’ll find on many girls bikes that are genuinely useful:

  • Step-through frames make it easier to pedal while wearing a skirt or dress, which can be especially helpful if they’re cycling to school. Most good quality kids bikes will come with a staggered top tube that sits between a step-through frame and crossbar.
  • Chain guards can help protect clothing and legs from oil or snags, and flared trousers or long skirts can be the most affected.
  • Saddle shape becomes an important factor as they get older and their bodies develop, and good quality girls bikes in bigger sizes should come with female-specific contact points.
Bikes for girls: a row of five little girls of different ages, mounted on bicycles, seen from behind

Quality girls bike vs bike-shaped toy

Walk into a toy shop or scroll through a major retailer’s bike section, and you’ll

often come across bright colours, themed graphics, and accessories like baskets, tassels, or handlebar streamers. These features can be a great way to get children excited about cycling and help them feel proud of their bike.

However, it’s important to look beyond the styling to check how well the bike is built. Some bikes with popular character themes or sparkly designs are made from heavy steel and come with low-quality components that may not hold up to regular riding. While they might be fine for occasional pavement rides, they’re unlikely to offer the comfort, safety or performance needed for daily school runs, longer family rides, or building confidence on two wheels.

The good news is that it’s absolutely possible to find a bike that your child loves the look of and that’s well designed and durable. We recommend looking at trusted kids bike brands like those listed above – many of them offer a wide range of colours (including pinks and purples), with lightweight frames and child-specific components built for real riding.

What to look for in bikes for girls as they grow up

Once your daughter gets older and hits puberty, her body will start to change. Wider hips and changes in body shape can make a difference to how comfortable she feels on her bike, especially on longer rides. At this stage, it can be worth looking at bikes with:

  • Female-specific geometry, which can help with comfort and control, especially if they require a shorter reach.
  • Wider or gender-specific saddles designed to suit different pelvic structures (one with a cut-out down the centre and a short nose could be a good place to start)

These are only meant for general guidance, though, as many women will attest that they prefer unisex bikes and saddles. Everyone’s anatomy is different, as are our proportions and limb measurements, so it’s important to always measure first and buy the bike that works for the rider’s body.

Our guide to how to stop your kid getting saddle sore has more tips if they start riding longer distances or complain of discomfort.

Make it theirs with accessories

If your child has their heart set on a character themed bike, (Elsa from Frozen is still a popular one), one way to compromise is to go for a high-quality bike and let them choose girls bike accessories that reflect their personality. This way, they get a bike that’s fun to ride and feels like theirs, while you know you’re getting proper value for money and investing in their future cycling enjoyment.

Here are a few ideas to bling up their bike:

The Hornit helmet range is a great place to start, as they offer loads of fun designs including dinosaurs, unicorns, pugs, and more.

Why resale value matters

When looking at buying bikes for girls, one final thing to consider is that a unisex bike in a more neutral colour is usually much easier to sell on or hand down to siblings. A pink princess bike may be harder to shift second-hand or might not be welcomed by a younger brother, for example. Choosing a bike that's well made and in a colour that appeals to a wider group of kids means you’ll get more for your money in the long run, because as we all know, they will inevitably grow out of it!

Closing thoughts

This guide is all about helping you cut through the marketing and find a bike that a little girl will love riding. A good quality bike helps build confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of cycling. Whether she chooses pink, purple, red, green or orange, what matters most is that the bike is built to ride, not just to look good in the shop window.

Comments

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.