12 July 2017 09:02
Introducing your child to the world of riding can be an exciting time, not only for them but for you as the parents as well. But, how can you ensure that they maintain their confidence, stay safe and at the same time, enjoy their first few experiences of riding? To help you in your quest of creating a future champion, we have compiled some of our top tips and points for getting your child on two-wheels and making sure that you choose the right bike for them.
How to find the perfect bike for your child
· Consider the age range and appropriate size - When it comes to picking the perfect bike for your child, the first point of call is to consider the age and size range of the bike in relation to your child. Ground clearance and seat height are key factors in your child’s comfort when riding – but be sure not to get a bike too small, that your child will grow out of quickly.
· Pick the appropriate engine capacity (if petrol)- There are a variety of sizes on the market today, with engine capacities ranging from 50cc all the way up to 150cc. The younger the child, the lower the CC should be.
· Off-Road, Trails or Competition? – It is important to consider how you will use your bike, to determine which bike is best for your child. This will also affect the sizing of the bike, as most larger bikes designed for off-road or trail use have a four-stroke engine, whilst most MX bikes tend to come with a two-stroke engine
· Be sure that your child can control the bike – Your child’s weight and height will determine if they can control the bike that you have chosen. Smaller children will require a lower seat and a lighter bike.
· Be sure that your child is comfortable – It is an exciting time for both you and your child, but it is important to be in communication with your child and be sure that they are feeling confident and comfortable when riding their bike.
· Electric or Petrol? – We believe that electric bikes are the most appropriate for children. Our Torrot kids range contain bikes that are ideal for initiation and training. Although parent riders of petrol bike may feel obliged to start their child off on a similar path, the work and effort to maintain a petrol bike can often seem daunting to those parents who have never rode before. If you want to read an honest review from a parent testing out our Torrot bike for the first time, read our article here: https://www.dualways.com/blog_13_torrot-e12-bike-test
· Consider maintenance level of the bike – Petrol bikes take a lot more care and maintenance than an electric bike. Think realistically about your role as parent and your responsibility in making sure that the bike is running correctly and safely for your child.
· Noise level – Some areas frown upon noisy bike levels, so consider where you plan to use your bike before buying. If you have your own land, but have neighbors, a quiet electric bike may be the choice for you!
· Consider the cost of running – Petrol bikes require petrol/oil to keep it running, whereas Electric bikes require a simple charge before riding.
Introducing your child to riding
· Test out the bike on different terrains – Trialing out the bike on different terrains can be a fun test for you child, whist also getting them adjusted to all aspects of their bike. Take them to woods, sandy dunes, grasslands and tracks to get them comfortable in all riding scenarios.
· Ride alongside them – If your child wants to get into riding and you are an avid rider, then they probably look up to you and want to follow in your foot-steps. What better way to bond with your little mini-me, then to go out riding together! This will hopefully make their first experience of riding an enjoyable one, and your presence and riding knowledge will no doubt make them much more comfortable.
· Try-out days – Before you commit to buying a bike, if you want to ensure your child likes riding and is confident when doing so, we suggest attending a try-out day. Here you will hopefully be able to test different bikes and see what will suit your child’s needs bets.
· Expert tuition – If you want to ensure that your child is being safe, responsible and learning from the best, then expert one-to-one tuition or training schools could be the route for you.
Still looking for the perfect bike for your child? Here at Dualways we have a selection of brilliant Kids Electric Bikes, from renowned brand ‘Torrot’. The range consists of a variety of dirt bikes, trial bikes and off road bikes that are ideal for children aged 3 and up. The bikes boast extremely high passive safety standards that place a premium on fun and learning, and are made for initiation into the practices of off-road trial or Enduro – Supermotard on on-road tracks.
Helpful links
Torrot Kids School – Located in Spain? Sign your child up to the Torrot Kids School course, they can attend from age 3+ and the only requirement is that they can ride a normal bicycle without the help of an adult. Purchase your own Torrot kids bike before attending, and your child will be ahead of the class, and at the track, in no time! https://www.torrot.com/en/school
Hyper-Trax Indoor Bike Arena – Want a unique biking experience? Hyper-Trax indoor, e-bike arena is the first of its kind in Scotland. With three different tracks to choose from to suit youngsters, beginners and more experienced riders, Hyper Trax delivers the ultimate safe, fun and adrenalin-fueled biking experience which is suitable for all ages. http://hyper-trax.com/
You can now test out the Torrot electric bikes at Hyper-Trax arena, and see for yourself just how good they really are!
FunBikes Dealer Showroom – Visit our dealer FunBikes and their showroom to try out your Torrot bike and take it home the very same day! The showroom is located in Old Dalbey, Leicester and is open seven days a week, including late evenings on Tuesday and Thursdays! http://www.funbikes.co.uk/b-Torrot_Electric_Bikes-23.aspx
