There’s something special about that moment when we learn to ride a bike. Offering us our first taste of freedom, learning to ride is one of the first major milestones we pass as children — paving the road to adventure like we haven’t seen before.
Today, children (and their parents) have more options than ever when it comes to choosing their first bike, and that decision becomes even more complicated when we throw e-bikes into the mix. With that in mind, here are our suggestions for six fantastic e-bikes that are ideal for kids.
Best Balance E-Bike
Hiboy BK1
6 mi
RANGE
9 mph
TOP SPEED
5 hrs
CHARGE TIME
17.6 lbs
WEIGHT
Rear Hub
MOTOR TYPE
Ages 2-5 years
This strider e-bike is perfect for those kids just getting the feel for wheels.
Highlights
- Easily adjustable height
- 100W of safe power
- Super smooth ride
- Age range: 2-5 years
Bottom Line
Balance bikes can be an incredibly useful tool for helping young children build confidence before moving onto pedal power. HiBoy brings motor power to the concept with its excellent BK1 Electric Balance Bike for Kids.
Easily adjustable for different rider heights and plenty of safety controls, the BK1 strikes a balance between allowing parents control over the riding experience and giving kids their first experience of two-wheeled freedom.
The BK1 is equipped with anti-slip handlebar grip and foot platforms, preventing kids from sliding off the bike while riding. A traditional brake lever on the front wheel and an e-brake on the motor-powered rear wheel allows the rider to stop the bike quickly and safely. This e-bike is available in black and white color schemes.
Things to Consider
This is a balance bike, so it’s only suitable for young children – 2-5 year-olds. It’s also worth bearing in mind that some users report that the battery needs replacing after a few months.
Best Long-Range Electric Mountain Bike for Kids
AllTrack Kids
30 mi
RANGE
12.5 mph
TOP SPEED
5 hrs
CHARGE TIME
44 lbs
WEIGHT
Mid-drive
MOTOR TYPE
Ages 8-12
The assistance speed is reduced to 12.5mph in the kids edition.
Highlights
- 9-speed Shimano Altus gearing
- Simple, easy-to-use Yamaha Side Switch control system
Bottom Line
With a unisex frame and a restricted top speed of 12.5 mph assisted, the AllTrack Kids from Haibike is an ideal e-bike for youngsters who want to take to the trails and enjoy a comparable experience to their parents’ mountain bikes.
With four levels of assistance to choose from — Eco +, Eco, Standard, and High — riders can fine-tune the amount of motor power they need to match the terrain. The powerful 400Wh Yamaha battery ensures a full day’s riding without the need to stop and charge or switch out the battery.
The striking lime green color scheme not only looks good but also ensures your kids will always be visible when out riding, offering peace of mind to parents.
One thing to keep in mind while shopping: Haibike sells and delivers mostly to the European and UK markets.
Things to Consider
The AllTrack Kids from Haibike is a great bike – but it only comes in one size. It’s suitable for children 4’ 6” (140 cm) and over – anyone smaller than this should seek a different model.
Best Trail Bike for Kids
Meta HT 24 Power
25 mi
RANGE
20 mph
TOP SPEED
5 hrs
CHARGE TIME
41 lbs
WEIGHT
Mid-drive
MOTOR TYPE
Ages 8-12
This is a great e-bike for kids who want to hit the trails with their parents or friends.
Highlights
- Innovative Shimano partnership
- Sturdy construction
- Top quality components
Bottom Line
The Meta HT 24 Power from Commencal is a scaled-down version of the standard Meta HT mountain bike, but it still provides plenty of rugged power and good looks for your money.
Chunky tires and an aggressive ride profile combine to make this bike for kids and teenagers who love riding offroad. With the Meta HT 24 Power weighing 44 pounds, kids need to be prepared for quite the workout if the battery runs out and they have to pump the pedals without assistance. They’ll also have to contend with drag from the unpowered motor, so closely minding battery life is highly recommended.
The Shimano mid-drive motor has three levels of pedal assist, and components including a Manitou Junit Pro suspension fork with 120 millimeters of travel, Shimano Deore hydraulic disc brakes, wide and knobby 24-by-2.4-inch Schwalbe Big Betty tires and a KS Rage-I dropper seatpost ensure kids have all the tools they need to master the great outdoors.
Bottom Line
Thanks to its innovative partnership with Shimano, the Commencal Meta HT 24 Power has a range of accessory options available:
- Shimano BT-E8010 external battery 504W
- Chainstay Protector
- Seatstay Protector
Things to Consider
The battery capacity on this bike leaves something to be desired – with only a top range of 25 miles, you’ll have to make sure you don’t stray too far from a power outlet so you can recharge. Other than that, this is a fantastic beginner’s trail bike.
Best All-Terrain E-Bike for Kids
Woom UP 6
20 mi
RANGE
12 mph
TOP SPEED
3 hrs
CHARGE TIME
37.3 lbs
WEIGHT
Mid-drive
MOTOR TYPE
Ages 10-14
The perfect electric bike for all types of terrain and versatile riding.
Highlights
- Kid-friendly motor and power
- Suspension fork
- Wide range of gearing ratios made for climbing
Bottom Line
Another great option for adolescent riders is the Woom Up 6. A strong yet fairly lightweight frame combined with a safe yet ample motor means youngsters can tackle the toughest terrain whether pedaling or making use of the three support modes.
A stylish and modern unisex design makes sure kids will look as good as they feel whizzing along on this machine, while the smooth and sensitive support from the motor ensures both bike and rider can thrive on longer rides and routes with plenty of climbs.
The Fazua drive system delivers a natural feeling when riding, with virtually no pedaling resistance when the motor is turned off or the battery is depleted, and the incredible suspension and brake systems make rough terrain easy to navigate.
Accessories
A mix of first- and third-party accessories complete the package for this stylish and feature-packed e-bike:
- Leggie Kickstand
- MUDBLOCKA Mudguards
- Helmet and glove sets
Things to Consider
The Woom Up 6 is another bike with limited battery capacity – again with only 25 miles max of charge. And though it’s great for beginner or intermediate trails, it’s not great for technical mountain biking – it’s also quite a big bike for kids to have to push if they’re out on a trail.
Best Full-Suspension Kids eMTB
F-Play 24
25 mi
RANGE
20 mph
TOP SPEED
4 hrs
CHARGE TIME
36.4 lbs
WEIGHT
Rear Hub
MOTOR TYPE
Ages 10-14
For kids who want to shred the trails and need a full suspension setup for ultimate handling.
Highlights
- Incredible technology
- 10-speed drivetrain
- Front and rear suspension
Bottom Line
The F-Play 24 from Mondraker is packed with incredible tech and will make both long and short rides an absolute joy for young people.
The lightweight Mahle-E-bikemotion X-35 rear-hub motor and compact 250Wh frame-integrated battery help keep the entire package well under 40 pounds — a more manageable weight for younger riders than many other youth-focused electric mountain bikes — while an X-Fusion fork and rear shock with 100 and 120mm of travel (respectively), SRAM Level hydraulic disc brakes, a SRAM GX 10-speed drivetrain, and 24×2.4” Kenda Booster tires equip kids well for powering through the countryside for hours.
The only problem we’ve found with it is the intense jealousy parents might feel that they couldn’t have such an awesome machine when they were kids.
Accessories
To augment the experience, Mondraker has some great accessories designed to make riding and caring for your e-bike even more enjoyable:
- Tubeless tire foam inserts
- A range of multitools
- Advanced lighting systems
Things to Consider
The F-Play 24 only comes in one size, and again, the battery capacity isn’t anything to write home about – 25 miles max on easy terrain. It also doesn’t come with pedals, which have to be bought separately.