How do you pick the best bike for a 1-year-old? You want something sturdy, with the right number of wheels to provide ample support for your baby.
Baby bikes will prepare your little one for their first balance bike. They keep it simple, helping your baby move along independently while giving the needed support.
Some bikes for this age group resemble toys, and there are key features to look for to ensure you get a good quality bike. We’ve looked hard and found there’s a right one for every child.
- Sturdy build with durable materials
- Works as a walker and bike
- Fully certified
- Won’t scratch hardwood floors
- Soft handlebar with EVA foam
- Ergonomically designed seat
- Limited steering to avoid accidents
- Non-slip wheels
- Baby-friendly design
- Innovative design
- Works well as bike or walker
- Lightweight yet durable
- Sturdy frame
- Secure grip
- Wide, durable wheels
- BPA free
- For indoor and outdoor use
- Fully certified
- Cute wooden design
- Anti-slip rubber wheels
- High handlebars
- Retro-style
- Widespread wheel design
- Adjustable seat
- Excellent size for babies
- Super cute duckie theme
- Easy to maneuver
- Perfect for both indoor and outdoor use
- Excellent for building balance and confidence
- Safe steering
The Best 1-Year-Old Bikes of 2023
Here are 10 of the top bikes for 1-year-olds on the market.
1. Avenor Baby Balance Bike
Best Baby Bike Overall
Scoring the top spot on our list, we have a premium baby bike from Avenor. It’s an infant bike, suitable for babies aged 6 months to 36 months.
With a sturdy, carbon steel construction, this is an ideal ride for helping your little one feel confident on wheels. It’s fully certified, and its outstanding reviews suggest it’s one of the best.
Suited on the bike are four durable wheels, for indoors and outdoors use. On the handles is EVA foam, providing a comfortable grip for your little one.
The bike will also work as a walker and toy — your little one can push it around, finding their balance. Once the rider is in their seat, it promotes a natural, upright position, centering the weight across the hips.
You’ll love how easy the assembly is. It has a modular design and arrives 95 percent ready. No tools are needed to put it together, and your little one will be ready to ride in no time.
Pros
- Sturdy build with durable materials.
- Works as a walker and bike.
- Fully certified.
- Easy assembly.
Cons
- Only two color options.
Product Specs
Material | Carbon steel |
Age range | 6 months to 36 months |
Turning limit | Yes |
Seat height | 10 inches |
Handle height | 14 inches |
2. Bammax Baby Balance Bikes
Most Reliable
With a sturdy construction, this baby bike from Bammax is great for babies who are learning how to walk. The company is known for producing high-quality products, and this bike is no exception. It receives stellar reviews from parents, praising its reliability.
The bike can help your little one develop coordination, balance, and muscles. It’s a great pre-balance bike for children aged 1 to 2 years.
Your little one should love riding this bike. The handlebar is optimized for small hands and fitted with BPA-free, EVA foam material. There’s also a turn limiter, preventing sharp turns and tumbles.
The seat is ergonomically designed and padded with PU leather to ensure small tushies stay comfortable. It’s snug and comfy, ready for long hours of fun.
The bike is also stable. It’s suited with wide, soft EVA tires — these are non-slip and can ride safely across smooth surfaces.
Pros
- The tires don’t make marks on hardwood floors.
- Soft handlebar with EVA foam and turn limiter.
- Ergonomically designed seat.
- Non-slip tires.
Cons
- Not for outdoor use.
- Doesn’t work well on carpeted surfaces.
Product Specs
Material | Carbon steel |
Age range | 1 to 2 years |
Turning limit | Yes |
Seat height | 9.5 inches |
Handle height | 13.8 inches |
3. Baby Joy Balance Bike
For the Smallest
Baby Joy recommends this bike for babies as young as nine months old. The reason we love it for small kids is because of the baby-friendly structure. It has a round frame, soft handles and a cushy seat to ensure maximum comfort and stability. The non-slip wheels means your child is as safe as possible, but we still recommend you guide them as they ride.
There are some more benefits to this bike. Firstly, it can help teach kids balance. When they transition to a bigger bike in a few years, the change will be seamless. This bike helps them develop their leg muscles and their coordination, making it easy for them to learn how to confidently operate a bike.
We also love this bike’s approach to steering. The handlebars have a 135 degree limit, so kids can’t force the bike dramatically one way. This prevents kids from falling off the bike, going off road, and crashing into objects, whether they’re riding indoors or outdoors.
Pros
- Suitable for kids from nine to 24 months old.
- Helps kids cultivate balance, confidence and strength.
- Limited steering to avoid accidents.
- Non-slip wheels.
Cons
- No pedals.
- Small for bigger toddlers.
Product Specs
Material | Steel |
Age range | 9 months to 24 months |
Turning limit | Yes |
Seat height | 10 inches |
Handle height | 14 inches |
4. YBike Pewi Ride-On and Walking Toy
Multi-Purpose
Being featured on most expert blogs, we had to include the Pewi. It’s a multi-purpose bike and walker, suitable for babies aged 9 months to 3 years, or up to 44 pounds. It has a unique look, somewhat like a cross between a chair and a horse, but it’s an award-winning design.
The bike features four multi-directional wheels, enabling the bike to go in every direction. It’s fun for babies who are learning how to walk or want to keep up with their older sibling’s trike. The pushbike is capable of growing with your little one and has a long window for usage.
With a durable and lightweight aluminum frame, the rest of the bike is mostly molded plastic. The seat, however, is fitted with a soft foam pad for extra comfort.
The plastic makes it easy for small hands to hold onto it and for adults to keep clean. It’s available in three colors, suitable for both boys and girls.
Pros
- Innovative design, capable of growing with your baby.
- Works well as a bike or walker, featuring multi-directional wheels.
- Lightweight yet durable.
- Three colors are available.
Cons
- The screw cover can pop off but is easy to fix with either duct tape or by drilling a tiny hole for the air to escape.
Product Specs
Material | Aluminum |
Age range | 9 months to 36 months |
Turning limit | No |
Seat height | 10 inches |
Handle height | 18 inches |
5. Bekilole Baby Balance Bike
Balance Bike Look-Alike
If you want to prepare your little one for their first two-wheeled balance bike, then this is a great place to start. This pre-balance bike from Bekilole promotes confidence, coordination, muscle development, and stability.
It’s the balance bike’s close cousin, featuring three wheels — two at the front, one in the rear. It’s suitable for babies aged 10 to 24 months and has a low step-through frame.
The options are cute. It’s available in pink, red, or blue, and in themes such as zebra and giraffe.
With an incredibly durable carbon steel frame, it’s a high-quality design. The bike is fitted with a non-slip EVA handlebar and a cushioned seat for comfort. This allows for a smooth ride for your little one.
It’s fully certified for safety and comes with a manufacturer’s lifetime warranty.
The bike offers maximum stability — it promotes a low center of gravity, keeping the bike steady. For added security, the tires are wide and sturdy, capable of riding indoors and out.
The handlebar includes a turn limiter set to 135 degrees to prevent tipping or jackknifing.
Pros
- It resembles a balance bike, but with more stability.
- Sturdy frame.
- Non-slip EVA handles, offering a secure grip.
- Wide, durable wheels.
Cons
- Small — toddlers may outgrow it quickly.
Product Specs
Material | Carbon steel |
Age range | 10 to 24 months |
Turning limit | Yes |
Seat height | 10 inches |
Handle height | 15 inches |
6. Ancaixin Baby Balance Bike
Best for Boys
This cute, high-quality baby bike from Ancaixin is adorable. It’s suitable for toddlers aged 10 to 24 months, and it’s meant as a walker and ride-on toy.
Although this bike is not exclusive to boys, we think the electric blue color is a great pick for all the sons out there.
You’ll likely appreciate the bike’s sturdiness. It’s constructed with a durable frame, strong enough to ride outdoors. It features double tires, two front and two rear — stabilizing the bike, preventing tumbles and falls.
It’s low, keeping your little one close to the floor. Many parents lauded how it helped their babies learn to walk. Because it’s so sturdy, it can support them as they’re leaning against it.
Another praiseworthy feature is the easy assembly. It requires no tools, and parents say they finished the job in less than 30 minutes.
Bodaon’s baby bike is fully certified in toy safety standards so you can feel confident when your baby is using it.
Pros
- A cute design with vibrant colors.
- Highly durable construction.
- 6 inches wheels capable of running indoors and outdoors.
- Fully certified.
Cons
- Small, and not suitable for tall toddlers.
Product Specs
Material | Carbon steel |
Age range | 10 to 24 months |
Turning limit | Yes |
Seat height | 10 inches |
Handle height | 14 inches |
7. Hape Scoot Around Ride-On Bike
Best Wooden Baby Bike
With a wooden frame and rubber wheels, this baby bike from Hape is a great pick. It has received outstanding reviews from parents, with many praising its appearance. It’s a bike that’s just right for most babies to gain confidence and balance.
The Scoot Around features an adorable design, which is basic yet highly functional. Hape made sure it has just the right height for optimal space to scoot with the legs. Your little one may even be able to build up some speed, so make sure they wear a helmet.
To make steering smooth, it includes a turning limiter, which also prevents nasty tip-overs during tight turns. Hape limited the steering to 135 degrees. Some parents, however, did say they removed it once their babies were more confident.
With four wheels, the bike offers excellent stability. The rear wheels are wide-set, providing outstanding balance.
Pros
- Cute wooden design.
- Anti-slip rubber wheels.
- Outstanding stability.
- High handlebars.
Cons
- The seat is quite low — tall toddlers may outgrow it fast.
Product Specs
Material | Wood |
Age range | 1 year and up |
Turning limit | Yes |
Seat height | 8.98 inches |
Handle height | 14.76 inches |
8. Radio Flyer Scoot-About Baby Bike
Retro-Style Baby Bike
For the coolest of toddlers, we present the Scoot About from Radio Flyer. Radio Flyer is famous for creating iconic bikes for children of all ages.
This retro-style baby bike is excellent for toddlers aged 1 to 3 years. It’s suited with all the right accessories to keep a baby entertained.
It features a front bumper that’s aesthetic, but also functional to protect furnishings and walls.
Your little one will love gliding around on this bike. The tires sit in a widespread design and provide a smooth ride with excellent stability.
The Scoot Around grows with your little one. The seat is adjustable, and it can safely carry your toddler up to 42 pounds.
Pros
- Retro-style, great for sassy toddlers.
- It offers excellent stability with its widespread wheel design.
- Features a bell and ribbons.
- Adjustable seat, suitable up to 42 pounds.
Cons
- The front platform gets in the way when the rider tries to push forward with their legs.
Product Specs
Material | Plastic |
Age range | 1 to 3 years |
Turning limit | Yes |
Seat height | N/A |
Handle height | N/A |
9. XJD Baby Balance Bikes Bicycle
Duckies Design
The duckie Mini Trike is ideal for small babies, ranging from 10 to 24 months. It’s one of the smallest baby bikes on the market today, suitable for early walkers or late crawlers.
We love the yellow duckie theme on the bike. It’s adorable and suitable for both boys and girls. The frame is yellow, sporting duckie stickers — then the black tires feature yellow rims for an eye-catching detail.
Other than being cute, it’s extremely lightweight, weighing in at approximately 4 pounds. Because of the featherweight, your little one can build up a good speed while still being able to control it.
The bike promotes independence, featuring a low seat and low step-through design, which makes it easy for small legs to mount the bike.
The handlebar is suited with a turn-limiter, preventing the rider from turning more than 135 degrees. The seat is broad and comfy for little tushies, even without a diaper, and it also features the ultra-cute duckie theme.
Small babies might need some help when riding — otherwise, they can use it as a walker.
Pros
- Excellent size for small babies.
- Super cute duckie theme.
- Lightweight structure, easy to maneuver.
- Comfy seat.
Cons
- The bike is small, so babies may outgrow it fast.
Product Specs
Material | Carbon steel |
Age range | 10 to 24 months |
Turning limit | Yes |
Seat height | N/A |
Handle height | N/A |
10. Allobebe Baby Balance Bike
Two-In-One Baby Bike
If you’re looking for a baby bike that resembles the real deal, this one from Allobebe is worth a look. Designed with a pair of front wheels and a single rear wheel, it requires some balance to ride. It’s recommended for toddlers aged 1 to 3 years, but we don’t suggest it for babies who can’t walk.
Nonetheless, if your little one is steady on their feet, this bike is terrific. Many parents commend how the bike has helped their child’s stability and prepared them for their balance bikes.
The Allobebe bike also features plenty of toddler-friendly components. One of these is a limited 50-degree steering to prevent from falling. Furthermore, it’s lightweight, too, making it a breeze for kiddies to maneuver it and build up speed for balance.
Pros
- Perfect for both indoor and outdoor use.
- Excellent for building balance and confidence.
- Lightweight frame.
- Safe steering.
- Several color options.
Cons
- Not for small babies — walkers only.
- It would be best if the handlebars were adjustable as well.
Product Specs
Material | Carbon steel |
Age range | 1 to 3 years |
Turning limit | Yes |
Seat height | 10.2 to 11 inches |
Handle height | Not available |
Product | Best | Material | Age range | Turning limit | Seat height | Handle height |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Avenor Balance Bike | Overall | Carbon steel | 6 mos – 36 mos | Yes | 10″ | 14″ |
Bammax Balance Bikes | Most Reliable | Carbon steel | 1 – 2 yrs | Yes | 9.5″ | 13.8″ |
Baby Joy Balance Bike | For the Smallest | Steel | 9 mos – 24 mos | Yes | 10″ | 14″ |
YBike Pewi Ride-On | Multi-Purpose | Aluminum | 9 mos – 36 mos | No | 10″ | 18″ |
Bekilole Baby Balance Bike | Balance Bike Look-Alike | Carbon steel | 10 – 24 mos | Yes | 10″ | 15″ |
Ancaixin Baby Balance Bike | Boys | Carbon steel | 10 – 24 mos | Yes | 10″ | 14″ |
Hape Scoot Around Ride-On | Wooden Bike | Wood | 1 yr and up | Yes | 8.98″ | 14.76″ |
Radio Flyer Scoot-About | Retro-Style | Chrome | 1 – 3 yrs | Yes | N/A | N/A |
XJD Baby Balance Bicycle | Duckies Design | Carbon steel | 10 – 24 mos | Yes | N/A | N/A |
Allobebe Baby Balance Bike | 2-In-1 | Carbon steel | 1 – 3 yrs | Yes | 10.2 – 11″ | N/A |
How to Choose a Bike for a 1-Year-Old
One for the Smallest
Investing in a bike for your toddler can help develop stability, coordination, and confidence. The best bikes for 1-year-olds help prepare them for their first balance bike, or even two-wheeler with training wheels.
However, it’s crucial to find the right size — use your little one’s height and inseam as a guide. Then look for one that features a steering limiter, has no pedals, and caters to your toddler’s needs.
Don’t be surprised if they use it as a toy to begin with — that’s still a good starting point.