In this article we will explore the best electric bikes for kids, which will provide a comprehensive buying guide to help parents making informed decisions in selecting the perfect electric bike for their children.
Finding a good kids electric bike isn’t easy. Kids don’t always fit into adult sized ebikes. There are so many different types of kids ebikes out there, and not all of them are safe for young riders.
We’ve done the research for you. Here are our top picks for the best kids electric bikes.
Editor’s 1st Choice
Electra Townie Go
Overall Rating:
- Riders Weight Limit | 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Motor | 250W Hyena Geared Hub Motor
- Range | Up to 40 Miles per Charge
- Battery | 36V, 8.6Ah Lithium-ion Battery
- Speed | 20 MPH
Learn More!
Editor’s 2nd Choice
Aventon Pace 350
Overall Rating:
- Riders Weight Limit | 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Motor | 350W Brushless Hub Motor
- Range | Up to 40 Miles per Charge
- Battery | 36V, 11.6Ah Lithium-ion Battery
- Speed | 20 MPH
Learn More!
Editor’s 3rd Choice
RadExpand 5
Overall Rating:
- Riders Weight Limit | 275 lbs (125 kg)
- Motor | 750W Brushless Hub Motor
- Range | Up to 25~45 Miles per Charge
- Battery | 48V, 14Ah Lithium-ion Battery
- Speed | 20 MPH
Learn More!
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Best Electric bikes for kids – Buying Guide In 2024
#1. Electra Townie Go! 7D Step-Through Electric Bike
This electric bike is a straddle-efficient two-wheeler and has enough perks to entice the typical teenage cycle enthusiast. Its 250Wh battery delivers a range of up to 40 miles.
It also comes with a 250W geared hub motor capable of reaching top speeds of 20mph and three levels of pedal assist (the pedal assist can be controlled from the three-button hub on the handlebars).
The Electra Townie Go! has a 7-speed Shimano Revo twist shifter and a 7-speed rear derailleur. The tires measure 26″ by 2.35″.
The bike is also relatively lightweight—it weighs just 47lbs—when compared to similar bikes from other brands. It’s also made out of 6061-T6 aluminum and utilizes Radius CX-7 mechanical disc brakes for bringing the bike to a complete stop.
Unfortunately, this e-bike doesn’t come with an adjustable suspension fork.
The Electra Townie Go! doesn’t have a very large frame; with a wheelbase of 117.4cm and a reach of 32.3cm, it is said to be perfect for riders as short as 4.11″ up to 5.11″. That’s a good bit of leeway in terms of the height range for kids. It can also support up to 300lbs of weight, giving kids ample weight deficit to fill up with their cargo.
An ergonomic shock-absorbing saddle and a non-slip pedal, among others, tick all the right boxes for the Townie Go! in terms of comfort, safety while riding, and ease of control.
Pros
- Can reach 40 miles on a single charge
- Fully charges in just 4 hours
- Massive 26″ × 2.35″ compatible with all types of trails
- A lightweight of 47lbs
- Can handle a payload of 300lbs
- It comes in a variety of lovely colors
- Costs less than $2000
Cons
- Is not foldable
- Has no suspension system
- Can only do 20mph even with pedal assist
Testing Evaluation
Tested against similar models within the same category
Main Features:
- Riders Weight Limit | 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Motor | 250W Hyena Geared Hub Motor
- Range | Up to 40 Miles per Charge
- Battery | 36V, 8.6Ah Lithium-ion Battery
- Speed | 20 MPH
Also Related:
Best Electric Bike with Child Seat in 2024
#2. Aventon Pace 350 Step-Through
This e-bike comes in a step-over and step-through design; the focus here is on the latter because it’s better suited for shorter riders, especially kids. Firstly, this e-bike has a top speed of just 20mph, a specification that’ll put most parents’ minds at ease.
According to real-world testing results (based on a 165lb-rider), the Pace 350 can cover between 24 to 40 miles of range on a single charge, depending on what intensity of pedal assistance is being used or whether the rider is using the thumb throttle.
The power this e-bike produces comes from a 350W/36V brushless hub motor. The range is a product of its 36V/11.6AH (417Wh) battery, a removable LG battery that fits snugly into the Pace 350’s down tube.
Aventon uses mechanical disc brakes on this one to provide stopping power. There’s also a rigid fork in front that combines with the 27.5”×2.2” puncture-resistant tires to protect your kids from “trail torture” whenever they find themselves on an unforgiving bumpy trail or hilly terrain.
The Pace 350 takes care of visibility and safety with its 40 lux headlights, tail lights, and the incorporation of reflective tire sidewalls. These lights help with driving in lowlight conditions and ensure that you are visible to other road users.
This e-bike is IPX4 water-resistant, which means it’s protected against ingress from water splashes and can be ridden in the rain. It also weighs only 49lbs which is relatively lightweight and can be considered portable for kids. It can also handle a payload of 300lbs.
The design of this e-bike is topped up with a full-color intuitive LCD device in the center of the swept-back handlebars. Your kids can easily track their ride metrics on this screen and even share it with friends and family when it is synced to the Aventon mobile app—another solid feature for every parent.
The Aventon Pace 350 also comes in two sizes: the small/medium size is ideal for riders as short as 5’1” up to 5’11” and the medium/large size is for riders 5’11” to 6’4”. Naturally, the first size option would be the best for kids, seeing as it also has a shorter standover height of 425mm (16.7 inches) compared to the longer 445mm (17.5 inches) for the larger size category.
Pros
- Goes up to only 20mph, which is perfect for kids
- Has five levels of pedal assist and a thumb throttle for easy riding
- Fitted with puncture-resistant 27-inch tires
- Relatively lightweight and portable at 49lbs and can handle 300lbs of weight
- Comes with a headlight, taillights, and reflective tire sidewalls for low visibility conditions
- Quick-release seat clamp for easy saddle height adjustment
- A low 16.7-inch step-through design ideal for riders as short as 5’1”
- Parents can sync this e-bike to the Aventon mobile app and keep an eye on their kid’s ride metrics
- Relatively cheap at $1399
Cons
- Not the best design for off-road adventures
- Adventurous kids will be limited to a mere 20mph
- There have been some customer complaints about the poor assembly instructions and throttle malfunctioning
Testing Evaluation
Tested against similar models within the same category
Main Features:
- Riders Weight Limit | 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Motor | 350W Brushless Hub Motor
- Range | Up to 40 Miles per Charge
- Battery | 36V, 11.6Ah Lithium-ion Battery
- Speed | 20 MPH
Also Related:
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#3. RadExpand 5
For all the nifty features it offers, the RadExpand 5 is definitely an affordable e-bike. This is the fifth generation of Rad’s exquisite folding electric bikes. It comes with a sturdier frame, folding joints/hinges, and quick-release clamps where necessary to improve the folding mechanism.
The RadExpand 5 feeds off a 750W brushless geared hub motor to provide a top speed of 20mph, and its range limit of 45+ miles is made possible by its 48V/14Ah (672Wh) battery attached to the seat tube.
Its 180mm front and rear rotors—these are mechanical and not hydraulic disc brakes—help provide sufficient braking power at any speed.
The e-bike’s design is a significant departure from its predecessor—the RadMini 4—and two of the most noticeable features are its step-through design and the absence of a suspension system that serve to accommodate shorter riders and shed some weight from the bike respectively. There’s also a rear rack on this one; in the RadMini 4, rear racks had to be purchased separately.
This is a 7-speed derailleur e-bike with four levels of pedal assist and a half-grip twist throttle for overriding the pedal assist with ease.
The RadExpand 5 also comes with smaller beefier tires for better control. It has two 20”×4” tires with a unique tread design that makes it good for pavements and off-road riding. These puncture-resistant tires also come with a reflective strip for better visibility at night.
Speaking of visibility, it also has a blazing bright LED headlight mounted above the suspension fork and an exquisitely designed tail light with brake light functionality integrated into the rear rack.
This bike is designed to accommodate riders from 4’10” – 5’10”. Many kids easily fall into this height category. The seat height can go as low as 24” and as high as 31” from the lowest pedal position.
The angle of its 27” adjustable handlebars has a back sweep design that allows riders to easily adjust their distance from the saddle. The default reach is 16” but it can be adjusted to fit the rider’s height and posture.
This e-bike has a 6061 aluminum frame that is water-resistant and weighs 62.5lbs. While it is lighter than the RadMini 4, it is the heaviest bike on this list by almost 20lbs. Also, at a payload capacity of 275lbs, it’s also not built to carry as much weight as the other electric bikes from Electra or Aventon.
Pros
- The unique folding design makes it arguably the best and most portable folding e-bike ever made
- Has a helve under the saddle to carry the e-bike when folded and a protective stand underneath the pedals to keep it from scraping the floor when folded
- Bigger puncture-resistant tires than in the previous Rad Power folding e-bikes installments to provide more control and terrain adaptability
- The low step-through design makes it easy for kids to straddle and ride it; ideal for riders as short as 4’10”
- Comes with an integrated rear rack and taillight
- Adjustable handlebars and saddles for best posture
Cons
- It’s the heaviest option on this list, which means many kids will find it difficult to lift
- No suspension system
- At 275lbs, it cannot haul as much weight as the Aventon or Electra
- The LED display panel is pretty basic. Its brightness can’t be adjusted and it doesn’t have a USB charging port
Testing Evaluation
Tested against similar models within the same category
Main Features:
- Riders Weight Limit | 275 lbs (125 kg)
- Motor | 750W Brushless Hub Motor
- Range | Up to 25~45 Miles per Charge
- Battery | 48V, 14Ah Lithium-ion Battery
- Speed | 20 MPH
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How Much Do Kids E-bikes Cost?
Generally speaking, how much kids’ e-bikes cost depends on a number of factors: the bike brand, the build, features, performance level, warranty, maintenance concerns (such as battery life and tire life cycle), etc. These all play a part in determining how an e-bike is priced.
Also, as is evident from our list of best kids’ e-bikes, there are electric bicycles built for smaller adults that will also be perfect for some kids depending on their height.
If you’re only considering electric bikes built strictly for kids, you can get devices as low as $150/unit. Higher-end kids’ e-bikes typically cost between $700 and $1000. If you include adult bikes that can fit children, the price goes up considerably more, sometimes above the $2000 mark.
What Should I Look Out for When Buying an E-bike for My Child?
Generally speaking, what you should look out for when buying an e-bike for your child is a little more complex than if you were getting them a traditional bike. You have to think about their safety, which will mean buying bikes with 500W motors or lower, speeds of 20mph or lower, and stability and control features.
If your kid is one to be carefree and excessively adventurous, you may be better served getting them a conventional bike or none at all. You’ll also have to think of maintenance; as a parent, that’ll likely be your responsibility to ensure that the e-bike is tuned and in top shape every few hundred miles.
There’s also the matter of affordability; this one is entirely up to you and your budget. The weight of an e-bike also matters a lot as heavy e-bikes can be a lot to handle for kids—generally, the lighter, the better.
How Old Should a Child Be to Ride an Electric Bike?
In most cases, asking how old a child should be to ride a kids electric bike is less important than the e-bike’s specifications that limit it from being ridden according to applicable state and federal laws. Generally, laws are a lot stricter on electric bikes with speeds higher than 20mph and electric motors capable of 750W or higher.
For instance, many local laws and regulations prohibit kids from riding Class II and Class III e-bikes. So if your kid is on the big side and riding an adult e-bike, you should be wary of this. In most states, the minimum riding age could be anywhere from 14 to 16 years. But there are little to no laws governing balance or kids’ electric bikes.
Best Electric Bike for 6–8 Year Olds
The best electric bike for 6–8-year-olds would be the STACYC 16eDrive. It’s a balance bike for the motocross kid at heart to learn to ride with confidence.
However, there are other popular brands that make bikes for this age bracket. A few e-bike examples for this age range include CYCMOTO 16″, Kent 20″ Torpedo, and Woom UP 5.
Best Electric Bike for 9–11 Year Olds
The RadExpand 5 would be the ideal choice on this list for 9–11 year olds. Its recommended minimum ride height of 4’11” and a maximum speed of 20mph puts it in this category. When looking for an e-bike for your child in this age bracket, you’ll likely come across other popular e-bikes such as the Hyper eRide City, Woom UP 6, and the RadMini Step-Thru 2.
Best Electric Bike for 12 Year Olds
For kids up to 12 years old, our recommendations would be the Electra Townie Go! If you’d like to check out other brands and popular kid or kid-capable e-bikes, you’ll also come across solid alternatives like Scorpion X Electric Moped-Style Bike and the Rip Racer Fat Tire E-bike, both from Juiced Bikes.
Best E-bike Brands for Kids
Generally, the answer to the best e-bike brands for kids is subjective; it depends on who is looking and what their preferences are. However, some of the most popular e-bike brands suitable for kids and teens include Woom, Commencal, RadPower, and more.
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Where Can Kids Ride Their E-bikes?
As a rule of thumb, toddlers and younger kids under the age of 14 are not allowed to ride their e-bikes on roads that are accessible to vehicles, motorcycles, and so on. Teenagers aged 14 to 18 can ride on trails and lanes accessible to them by law.
While their e-bikes do not require them to get a license or pay vehicle tax, they are encouraged to learn and follow all traffic laws and follow all safety protocols such as wearing Ebike helmets, traveling below a certain speed limit, etc.
