The topic of conversation amongst the Biker Rated team this week has been our kids. Apart from having a good moan and wishing they came with manuals, plus laughing at their funny escapades, we noticed how much they all want to be involved with our bikes.
Electric bikes are a great way to introduce your children to the biking world and let their passion for it grow. Electric bikes come in loads of different designs, materials and recommended age groups.
A lot of toddlers’ electric motorbikes are foot-pedal operated, making them easier to use; rather than the twist-and-go variety for older children.
If you’re willing to pay a little bit extra, you can buy licensed replicas of motorcycles like BMW, Harley Davidson, and Aprilia. Your little ones will feel like mum and dad thanks to extra features such as realistic engine noises, working headlights, and ignition keys.
If you’re stuck for the perfect Christmas gift for your kids or want some unique gift ideas for teenagers, take a look at our comprehensive guide to kids’ electric bikes.
We’ve included some need-to-know information on what to consider when buying, safety advice, and the recommended electric bikes based on age categories. In our guide, you’ll find a showcase for some of the best electric bikes for each age group to give you an edge in the gift-buying department!
How to choose
With loads of electric bikes available, it’s difficult to know which will be the best for your child. Here’s a list of things to consider:
The build
A good sturdy bike is needed whatever the age limit and speed. Making sure the bike can handle crashes (which will happen!) is a must. Look for bikes made from durable plastics for low-speed options and reinforced chassis’ for the older kids.
Manufacturer’s recommended age
The manufacturer’s recommended age group pretty much does the work for you. By combining many factors, such as the bike dimensions, speed, and ease of use, manufacturers will set an average age group which they feel can operate that bike. Of course, if your child is taller, weighs more than the max load, or has more confidence, use your better judgement and choose another bike.
Bike dimensions
The same as choosing their first pedal bike, size matters. Make sure the bike is not too big or small for your child, so they don’t lose interest, and they stay comfortable.
Max weight load
All children are different but manufacturers use an average weight range based on age groups. Making sure your child is within the recommended weight range, prevents the bike from becoming slow and sluggish.
Battery life
A battery’s run time depends on the amount of Watts the motor uses, plus how well they hold their charge. Some rechargeable batteries do last longer than others, so it’s worth comparing bikes before you make a decision. Check out our Voltage and Run-Time section for more information.
How to use
Making sure your kids’ electric bike is easy to use helps them build confidence and prevent any long faces. A lot of toddler models have foot-pedal accelerators; when your child lifts their foot, the bike stops. For older children, most bikes have a standard twist handle accelerator and hand brakes.
Stabilisers
If your child isn’t confident with balance, opting for a bike with stabilisers is the best choice. Choose a bike with sturdy metal ones that can be removed as your child grows in confidence.
Added extras
Depending on the age of your children, picking a bike with extra features will make their experience a lot more fun. Electric bikes for toddlers and primary school-age children often come with engine noises, jolly tunes and flashing lights to keep them amused. Electric bikes for older children don’t so their street cred remains intact but working headlights are a bonus if they are likely to be out on spacious private land.
Kids Safety
The number one priority for all parents is the safety of their kids. When deciding on the best electric bike for your kids, you need to take into consideration the following:
- Your child’s skill
- The bike’s safety features
- The risk involved
Every child develops at a different pace but their skills are important when it comes to operating a motorised ride on. Younger children get distracted easily and often look anywhere but in front of them. The distraction of sounds and lights can make this worse so always supervise your child regardless of their age.
The same as pedal bikes, your child has a risk of falling so cuts and scrapes will happen if they’re outside on the hard ground. We recommend children should always wear a helmet when using their electric bike. For low-speed bikes and young children, a cycle helmet will suffice. For high-speed varieties and dirt bike style bikes, opting for an adventure helmet is a good choice. Not only will your child feel “in the zone” but these full-face helmets give a better level of protection if they fall. Investing in elbow and knee protection is also beneficial.
Inspect the electrics and condition of the bike before use. Any knocks or general wear and tear can cause weaknesses in the structure and mechanics. It is essential that your kids only ride on fully working equipment to prevent injuries.
Depending on the recommended age, electric bikes work on specific surfaces. Bikes for younger children often work on flat, smooth surfaces while bikes for older children are more suited to off-roading. Make sure your child uses the bike on recommended surfaces.
The legal bit
Kids electric bikes are not road legal so you cannot use them on any public highways. The only place you may use them is on private roads; preferably your own driveway, garden or other strip of land you have.
EAPC laws
UK law states, from the age of 14, you can ride an electric bike that meets the EAPC requirements on cycle paths and anywhere else pedal bikes are allowed.
An EAPC must have the following:
- Manually operated pedals
- Must show the power output and manufacturer of the motor
- Must show either the battery’s voltage or max speed of the bike.
- The motor must have a max power output of 250W
- Should not exceed 15.5mph
- Must be type approved (if it can be propelled without pedalling)
We have included some options in our showcase of legal EAPCs below.
Voltage and Run-Time
Battery voltage and run-time are an important aspect to consider when choosing a kid’s electric bike. In general, the higher the voltage, the higher the speed. If your child is a more confident rider, you then have the tools to make a more informed choice on the level of power and speed the bike has.
Mechanically speaking, the battery powers the motor, which propels the bike. A larger motor requires more battery power to give you plenty of run time and speed.
When looking at battery specifications, you will see V / Ah (Voltage / Ampere Hours). Motors are measured in Watts (W). Manufacturers use these measurements to achieve the best speed and battery time for their toys. When checking a bike’s spec, always check the following:
- Battery type and capacity (V / Ah)
- Battery run time
- Motor (W)
- Top speed
Here is a rough estimate of the Voltage of the battery, its top speed, and the recommended age range:
Age (years) | 2-3 | 3-4 | 4-6 | 6-8 | 8-15 | 15+ |
Voltage | 6V | 6V | 12V | 24V | 36V | 48V |
Average Speed | 2 mph | 2-3 mph | 4 mph | 6 mph | 15 mph | 18 mph+ |
We have included these specs in our showcase below.
Electric Bikes Top Tips
- Wide wheels offer stability for younger children.
- Check batteries and chargers are included. There’s nothing worse than opening a present on Christmas morning that they can’t use.
- Fully charge the bike overnight before first use; the battery will have a little charge on delivery but it won’t be enough.
- Always check the max load, dimensions and top speed separately and make an informed decision, sometimes recommended age groups aren’t the best choice.
- Always make your child wear a helmet.
- Wear added protection like full-face helmets, elbow, knee and boots on high-speed pit bikes.
18 months to 3 years
Electric bikes for toddlers usually have a 3-wheeled design for added stability and are made from durable plastics. Easy to use foot pedal accelerators make it simpler for toddlers to use and top speeds reach 3mph so parents can keep up.
RiiRoo K1200 6V Electric Bike
Prepare for cuteness overload with this BMW K1200s design electric bike. Suitable from 18 months thanks to low speed. Featuring working headlights, realistic exhaust sounds, and other tunes, plus reverse gear. Foot pedal operated for easy working.
Ricco TR1501 Kids 3 Wheel Chopper Trike
A plastic, Harley style trike available in 4 colours. Featuring a forward and reverse mode operated by a foot pedal (lift foot to stop). Complete with working headlights and sound effects. Suitable for use on hard surfaces.
Peg Perego 6V Ducati Scrambler Kids Electric Trike
A super cute replica of Ducati’s iconic Scrambler, with vibrant yellow and black bodywork. Features include a key with realistic engine sounds, working electric horn, and a working front headlight. Foot pedal accelerator, release to stop action. Suitable for use on flat surfaces.
18 months to 3 years – Comparison Table
Bike | K1200S Style Ride On Motorbike | Ricco TR1501 Kids 3 Wheel Chopper Trike | Peg Perego Kids Mini Scrambler Bike |
Bike Weight | 3.4kg | 6.3kg | 7.7kg |
Top Speed | 2mph | 2-3mph | 2mph |
Max Rider Load | 30kg | 25kg | 25kg |
Battery (type/capacity) | 6v/- | 6v/4.5Ah | 6v/4.5Ah |
Charger (included/not included) | included | included | included |
Motor (Watts) | – | 18W | 50W |
Claimed Battery Life | 40 mins | 2.5 hours | 80 mins |
Charge Time (approx) | 8 – 12 hours | 6 – 8 hours | 6 – 8 hours |
Balance Wheels (yes/no/removable/fixed) | Removable stabilisers included | trike | trike |
Dimensions | H40, W24, D40cm | H48.8, W63.5, D90cm | H71.5, W90, D70cm |
Cost | £69 | £69.99 | £128 |
Finance Available | No | No | Yes |
3 to 4 years
Pre-school children can enjoy more speed with top speeds of up to 4mph. These electric bikes are usually 2-wheeled with removable stabilisers.
Chad Valley 6V Powered Motorbike
This motocross-style electric bike comes with steel stabilisers for younger children. The stabilisers can be removed. The accelerator is located on the handlebars. Additional features include rubber grip on tyres, engine and horn sounds, working headlights and indicators.
The perfect solution when you have double the trouble. Suitable for riders aged 3 and up with younger siblings 18 months + in the sidecar. Featuring a two-speed gearbox, lights, sounds and an option to attach an mp3 player for your own music.
Kawasaki Motocross Scrambler - 6V
Officially licensed product with twist handle acceleration and electric brakes, just like their parent’s bike! Sturdy steel stabilisers can be removed as the child grows and realistic bike features include handguards and official logos.
3 to 4 years – Comparison Table
Bike | Chad Valley 6V Powered Motorbike | Harley Style Kids Electric Motorbike With Sidecar | Kawasaki MotoCross Scrambler |
Bike Weight | 6kg | 22kg | 9.2kg |
Top Speed | 3mph | 4mph | 3.7mph |
Max Rider Load | 30kg | 40kg | 30kg |
Battery (type/capacity) | 6V/4Ah | 2 x 6V/4.5 Ah | 6V/- |
Charger | included | included | included |
Motor (Watts) | – | 25 | – |
Battery Life | 90 mins | 75 mins | |
Charge Time (approx) | 8 – 12 hours | 8 – 10 hours | 8 – 12 hours |
Balance Wheels | Removable stabilisers included | Trike style | Removable stabilisers included |
Dimensions | H83, W60, D116cm | H74, W72, D124cm | H76, W56, D111cm |
Cost | £100 | £249.95 | £250 |
Finance Available | Yes | Yes | No |
4 to 6 years
Still within the 4mph zone with removable stabilisers, electric bikes for this age group tend to have authentic engine sounds and lights to grab your child’s imagination. Twist handle acceleration is also a more realistic feature.
Licensed Vespa Scooter PX150 12V
Shockingly realistic, this child’s electric PX150 features a two-speed gearbox, forward and reverse gears, music, and lights. With the addition of mp3 player connectivity, your kids will be the envy of the street.
BMW 12V Motorbike Powered Ride On
For BMW fans, this official product includes a safety belt for less balanced riders, stabilisers, and an additional kickstand. The bike has a replica ignition key that works with lights and sounds plus a two-speed gearbox.
Aprilia RSV 12V
This cool looking Aprilia RSV style bike has twist-and-go style acceleration on the handlebars for added authenticity along with lights and sounds. Central rubber belts around the wheels provide grip on smooth surfaces. Additional feature includes mp3 input capability.
4 to 6 years – Comparison Table
Bike | Licensed Vespa Scooter PX150 12V | BMW 12V Motorbike Powered Ride On | Aprilia RSV 12V |
Bike Weight | – | 15.3kg | – |
Top Speed | 3.7 mph | 3 mph | 3.7 mph |
Max Rider Load | 50kg | 30kg | 50kg |
Battery (type/capacity) | 12V / 7Ah | 12V / – | 12V / – |
Charger | included | included | included |
Motor (Watts) | 18W x 2 | – | 96W |
Battery Life | Dependant on use | 1 – 2 hours | Dependant on use |
Charge Time (approx) | 8 – 12 hours | 8 – 12 hours | 8 – 12 hours |
Balance Wheels | Removable stabilisers included | Removable stabilisers included | Removable stabilisers included |
Dimensions | H65, W42, D92cm | H41, W68, D110cm | H62, W54, D111cm |
Cost | £144.95 | £189 | €299.90 |
Finance Available | No | Yes | No |
6 to 8 years
This is the age range where the bikes change from plastic toys to proper miniature motorbikes. As children grow, the need for stabilisers is reduced so a lot of electric motorbikes within this age group do not include them. The best bikes available have a strong chassis, quality suspension, adjustable speeds and proper rubber tyres for better control.
Fighter Scrambler 24v Electric Ride On
Realistic Scrambler bike with a reinforced chasis and rubber tyres for more energetic play. Complete with twist grip accelleration, imitation hand protectors and drum brakes for a more effective stop.
Kuberg Cross Hero Electric MX Bike
A serious electric motocross bike from Kuberg, it’s a direct rival to the OSET below, and has a price tag to match. However it’s a quality bit of kit. It features a powerful 3000w motor and will run for up to 2 hours between charges. The 3 power modes are adjustable either manually or via a Smartphone app and you can limit the top speed too. Made from quality components, these bikes are a proper motorcycle and not just a plastic toy.
OSET MX-10 Electric Dirt Bike
Probably the best electric motorbike a kid can get, bar the most expensive. This bike grows with your child and has 3-speed settings to limit them when they start out. With front USD air fork suspension, 10” front and rear alloy wheels and hydraulic disc brakes. It costs as much as a petrol kid’s bike but it’ll show a petrol-bike a clean pair of heels.
6 to 8 years – Comparison Table
Bike | Fighter Scrambler 24V Electric Ride On | Kuberg Young Rider | MX-10 Electric Dirt Bike |
Bike Weight | 16kg | 33kg | 37.2kg |
Top Speed | 7.4mph | 17mph | 21.7mph |
Max Rider Load | 50kg | 100kg | 40kg |
Battery (type/capacity) | 24V | 36v / 36Ah | 48V / 20Ah |
Charger | included | included | included |
Motor (Watts) | – | 3000 | 1400W |
Battery Life | Dependent on use | Up to 2 hours | 2 – 3 hours |
Charge Time (approx) | Dependent on use | 6 hours | 6 – 8 hours |
Balance Wheels | None | None | None |
Dimensions | H82, W52, D115cm | Wheelbase 94cm | |
Cost | £495 + delivery | £1749 | £2,499 |
Finance Available | Yes | Check with dealer | Check with dealer |
Questions or Comments?
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