Bike Size Guide for Small Children (Ages 3–5) | First Bike Sizing

For small children, bike size is determined by wheel diameter — not frame size. At this age, the priority is confidence and safety over performance. Your child should be able to touch the ground flat-footed when seated at the lowest saddle position. A bike that's too large is dangerous — children cannot control bikes they can't reach the ground from. Consider starting with a balance bike (no pedals) for children under 4, as this teaches balance and steering before adding pedal complexity. For pedal bikes, look for models with coaster brakes (backpedal to stop), which are easier for small hands than hand brakes. Bike weight matters enormously at this age — a bike that weighs more than 30% of the child's body weight will be hard to control. Expect to replace the bike every 1–2 years as your child grows.