Which Balance Bike Is Best For My Child? Part III – Riding Environment

Being a new parent is a whole new world of first times. First time feeding and bathing a newborn, first time waking up every three hours to feed, change and if you’re lucky, a little cuddle before they have a sleep.

As your child gets a little older, the first times keep rolling on, especially if your little gem has an endless power source that keeps them active every waking hour. That’s when we look to different activities for our energizer bunnies, such as parks, play groups and kids play gyms.

Well, these can be good, but we have a much better idea that will not only wear out your little energy packed toddler but also help in every area of their child development that a psychologist can name for you.

Our secret weapon, kids balance bikes!

But how are we to know, especially if you have never ridden a bike before yourself and are new to parenting, which balance bike is best for your child?

Well, that’s what we are here for, and we are so happy to be able to help you answer that question. In this, our third and final part in our series, Which Balance Bike is Best For My Child, Part III, we will help answer this question by considering different riding environments and then consider which bike is more suited to these.

If you haven’t already, we suggest you head on over to Part I and Part II in our series, as this covers rider characteristics and balance bike features as we help to answer our title question.

We highly recommend you check these out before reading this post, as this will let you know exactly what we have covered, our motivation for this topic and where we are heading in this capstone article, Which balance bike is best for my child? Part III – Riding Environments

In this article, we will be riding through the following topics.

Balance Bike Riding Environments

• Outdoor Parks
• Indoor Play Areas
• Urban Environments
• Natural Environments

Our goal?

This quite simply is for you to consider the riding environments available to you when looking to purchase a balance bike for your child.

As promised and delivered in Part I and Part II in our series, we will then provide you with a short list of balance bike options, broken into age-groups that directly considers the riding environments discussed in our post.

For practical purposes and to help make these options easier for you to consider, we have broken these down into the following age groups.

• Toddlers (18 months to 2 years)
• Older Toddlers (2 to 3 years)
• Preschoolers (3 to 4 years)
• Older Preschoolers (4 years to 5+ years)

Sound OK? Great!

As is our custom, we now invite you to relax and enjoy our latest article with your favorite means of hydration (we cyclists do love our coffee by the way), Which balance bike is best for my child? Part III – Riding Environments.

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Balance Bike Riding Environment

Outdoor Parks

Any outdoor park that has plenty of room to ride can easily become a favorite riding environment for your child.

Usually these will have hard-packed or hard surface paths and trails, large grass areas and some even have small bike parks established next to the play areas. These are all ideal for your child to begin exploring different terrains in a safe environment away from traffic.

The variety of play spaces available at kids outdoor parks makes these the perfect environment to practice and learn the essential skills of riding, such as using their feet to slow and stop, steering, riding around obstacles and gaining a kineasthetic awareness of different riding surfaces.

Indoor Play Areas

These areas are particularly useful when the weather has headed south for the day.

Indoor play facilities such as gyms and multi-purpose activity centers that provide for bike riding for kids are unbeatable in bad weather. These usually have a wooden gym floor, carpet or rubberized surfaces that make for super easy riding as these are flat and simple for kids to get moving.

An added bonus is they usually have line markings that can be used for simple games and practicing basic riding skills such as slowing, stopping, riding in a straight line or following a fun obstacle course using cones and markers.

Urban Environments

All balance bikes are perfectly suited to ride in urban environments, especially those with lighter, EVA foam tires.

Hard surface urban environments such as shared bike and pedestrian paths, sidewalks and footpaths, safe plaza areas dedicated to play and recreation, and playgrounds that have incorporated bike paths into the play space are brilliant for children to get moving and learn the basics of bike riding.

Bike parks are becoming increasingly popular and more widely available. We think this is a wonderful intervention for urban areas where kids need safe spaces to learn how to ride a bike, enjoy physical activity and the social interaction that complements these purpose-built parks.

Natural Environments


This is certainly a favorite of ours. Natural environments such as forests, trails, walking tracks or purpose build trails that get you and your little rider off-road and into bush land can be super rewarding and fun to explore on a balance bike.

Not only will these provide an element of adventure for your child, but also provides an opportunity for the family to incorporate a walk, ride, run or picnic together as you wander into some beautiful natural habitats.

Basically, if you can incorporate a little (or a lot) of bike riding into a fun adventure for your family you will have a great time while helping your little riding champion improve their bike-abilities, aka riding skills.

Now that sounds like a fun idea!

As we have just looked into some different riding environments that are great to help develop your child’s riding, we will now provide just a few balance bike options available, per age-group, that specifically considers the riding environment suited for each bike.

Basically, we will note which riding environment each bike (and our riding champion) is designed to thrive in.

Let’s take a look at just a few options out there.

Balance Bike Options Per Age Group

Toddlers (18 months to 2 years)

Bike: Jeorge 12″ Balance Bike

Where to buy: Amazon.com.au (AUS $99.95)

Suited Riding Environment: good quality riding on both hard surface and off-road terrain

Seat Height Range: 11″ to 15″ approximately

Frame Weight + Material: lightweight steel, weight 3.8kgs

Tires: air tires

Overall Rating + Description: 8 / 10

This is a durable budget option with some quality features.

Rolling on air tires and including commendable attributes such as a true head stem, soft grips with protective bumper, quick-release seat clamp, and soft padded seat this bike is great for toddlers just beginning to learn how to ride.

The seat height can be adjusted from approximately 11″ to 15″. Overall, a solid bike that can be taken anywhere and perfect for this age bracket and those kids wanting to explore varied environments including outdoor parks and natural habitats.

Bike: Kriddo Balance Bike

Where to buy: Amazon.com (USD $72.99) and Amazon.com.au (AUS $306)

Suited Riding Environment: hard surfaces such as paved paths and wooden gym floors

Seat Height Range: 11″ to 17″

Frame Weight + Material: carbon steel, weighing 3.6kgs (7.94lbs)

Tires: puncture proof foam tires

Overall Rating + Description: 7.5 / 10

Another great little budget option for toddlers just starting to learn how to ride.

The Kriddo has puncture proof tires that are best suited for hard surface riding. This will handle well on grass and hard-packed dirt but will thrive best on flat hard paved areas.

Handy features include adjustable handlebar and seat heights with quick release clamps (this is a favorite feature of ours), soft hand grips with bumpers and a customized plate with stickers.

Overall, a solid performer with nice features at a budget price. Perfect for this age group who prefer riding on hard paved surfaces or indoor environments.

Older Toddlers (2 to 3 years)

Bike: Retrospec Cub 12″ Balance Bike

Where to buy: Amazon.com (USD $69.99)

Suited Riding Environment: hard surfaces, grass, indoor gyms or hard packed trails

Seat Height Range: 11.5″ to 15″

Frame Weight + Material: 3.2kgs (7lbs)

Tires: EVA foam on plastic rims

Overall Rating + Description: 7 / 10

This is another quality budget balance bike that is perfect for a slightly older age group, who ride mostly on hard surfaces and/or indoor gyms. Will also perform well on flat grass areas such as parks.

The Retrospec Cub has some pretty cool color options, a good seat height range, adjustable handlebar and seat heights with quick release clamps (a big tick) and tidy little footrests.

This is a great option for riders sticking more to hard surface riding either indoors or out.

Bike: Rolla 12″ Balance Bike

Where to buy: Amazon.com.au (AUS $99)

Suited Riding Environment: handles off-road and hard surface riding very well

Seat Height Range: 12.5″ to 17″ approximately

Frame Weight + Material: aluminum / manganese blend, weight 3.5kgs

Tires: air tires

Overall Rating + Description: 7 / 10

The Rolla packs some great quality features into it’s little frame.

Noted safety features include air tires for handling off-road riding, headset and wheel nut protection covers, grips with safety bumpers, lightweight rims and frame, soft smaller seat, neat footrests and quick-release clamps for seat adjustments, this bike is remarkably well-built for such a budget price.

A super bike for this age-bracket wanting to explore any environment available.

Preschoolers (3 to 4 years)

Bike: smarTrike 3-in-1 Xtend

Where to buy: smarTrike.com (USD $224)

Suited Riding Environment: with 14″ air tires, this bike is suited to both off-road and hard surfaces

Seat Height Range: 15″ to 21″

Frame Weight + Material: Lightweight magnesium frame; weight is 14.75lbs as a balance bike and 18.36 with pedal kit

Tires: air tires

Overall Rating + Description: 8.5 / 10

The smarTrike 3-in-1 is the only extendable bike in the world!

The extendable frame allows your child to ride as a balance bike, then a pedal bike and finally extend the frame to continue riding with the same bike as your child grows.

We like the overall quality and the unique design.

It is a great option for riders needing another 12 months or longer on a balance bike before including the pedal kit. Another positive, is that your child will be familiar with the bikes handling helping to make this transition even smoother.

With a handbrake as a balance bike (rear coaster brake in pedal form), adjustable seat, handlebars and frame, this bike is a real winner in this age bracket.

Bike: Woom 1 Plus

Where to buy: Woom.com (USD $269)

Suited Riding Environment: perfect for off-road adventures in outdoor parks and natural environments

Seat Height Range: 15″ to 19″

Frame Weight + Material: lightweight AA6061 aluminum frame, weighing 9.5lbs (4.5kgs)

Tires: 14″ air tires with Schrader (car-like) valves

Overall Rating + Description: 9.5 / 10

This is a quality bike that your little gem will love.

We hold this bike (and Woom Bikes overall) in high esteem. They have established a fine reputation for providing quality products for kids learning how to ride.

Comprising front and rear hand brakes, detachable rubber ring steering limiter, surfboard footrests, 14″ quality air tires and quick-release adjustable seat clamps, this bike is perfect for riders in this age-group wanting to explore every terrain available.

These features allow the rider to really test their skills with all the safety features they will need, allowing them to confidently and safely improve their bike riding prowess.

Older Preschoolers (4 years to 5+ years)

Bike: Joystar 14″ Balance Bike

Where to buy: Amazon.com.au (AUS $445)

Suited Riding Environment: can be ridden on either off-road trails or hard surface areas

Seat Height Range: 18″ to 23″

Frame Weight + Material: carbon steel frame, weight is 13.5lbs (6.1kgs)

Tires: air tires, steel rims

Overall Rating + Description: 7.5 / 10

The Joystar 14″ provides a nice option for less adventurous riders to practice their biking skills on a larger balance bike before making the transition to a pedal bike.

Ideal for less confident riders who need some extra time on a balance bike, the Joystar 14″ balance bike does a good job at providing some handy features that allows the rider to enjoy the balance bike experience for a little longer.

Ideally, your child may have this bike between 12-18 months before being ready for their first pedal bike.

Joystar 14″ comes with a rear hand brake, neat little footrests, air tires, soft seat and grips, quick release adjustable seat, tool adjust handlebars, and the option to purchase with 16″ tires if your child is on the taller side.

Bike: Bixe 16″ Balance Bike

Where to buy: Amazon.com (USD $110) and Amazon.com.au (AUS $222)

Suited Riding Environment: provides enjoyable riding on both hard surface and off-road environments. Better suited to less hilly terrain.

Seat Height Range: 18.25″ to 22.25″

Frame Weight + Material: lightweight steel (5.4kgs or 12lbs)

Tires: 16″ air tires

Overall Rating + Description: 7 / 10

One of only two 16″ balance bikes on the market (the other is the Go Glider), there are not too many options to fit this age bracket with the larger 16″ wheels.

The Bixe 16″ does ride really well over hard surfaces and most off-road terrain. However, the lack of hand brake makes this less suited to hilly terrain as the rider may find it difficult to control their speed.

This is definitely something to be mindful of when considering your riding environment with this bike.

Another characteristic is worth noting here. Although featuring adjustable seat and handlebars, these both require a tool.

The frame, considering its size, is very light and the added footrests and comfortable design make this bike a lot of fun for the rider needing some extra time finding-their-feet learning to ride a bike.

Overall ilovetoridemybike.com Conclusion

Thank you for taking the time to read through our post and quite possibly, our three-part series that attempts to answer our title question for you, which balance bike is best for my child?

Here’s a quick re-cap or what we have covered with you in this post. Different riding environments including;

• outdoor parks
• indoor play areas
• urban environments, and
• natural environments

As with each article in our series, we then provided some balance bike options for you, per age group, that considers these in light of the specific topics being discussed in our post.

We do hope you have found our post (and series) helpful and are feeling more confident in finding that perfect riding partner for your little gem.

If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave these below, we are here to help.

Happy riding!