Electric Motorcycles for Kids

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:

We have included these specs in our showcase below.