Riding bikes with your kids can be amazing fun. It’s a great way to connect with family and be active outside. Fun as it can be, keeping everyone together can be a challenge. Kids have shorter legs and ride on bikes with both smaller wheels and smaller gears. The bike world now has a solution for that: E-bikes for kids.
An e-bike for kids offers some great opportunities for parents, as well as a few areas for reasonable concern. The big opportunity is that if your child is riding an e-bike, it will be easier to keep everyone together. Kids can hit their endurance limit both hard and unexpectedly. A throttle can keep a fun spin from becoming a death march home.
One of the other terrific benefits of an e-bike made for kids is that it is much easier for them to reach a speed sufficient to balance. Of course, there’s also reason to be concerned: A tiny person moving faster than you can run can be pretty scary.
We took a hard look at the e-bikes out there—there are more than you might guess—and have rounded up the best options in a number of different categories. Rather than divide the bikes according to use, we’ve organized them according to the age group they are most likely to fit. We’ve done our best to include objective sizing based on rider height because what parent hasn’t had the experience of buying a shirt for a six-year-old that fell to their knees?
Knowing the ways our kids have sometimes displayed more enthusiasm than judgment, we’ve weighted our collection toward those e-bikes that enable a parent to restrict the e-bike’s top speed. More control provides greater safety until you see how much control and skill the child can exercise over the e-bike while riding.
Our list begins with e-bikes for kids young enough to learn how to ride, and we follow them all the way up until they are big enough to begin riding adult-sized e-bikes. While we’ve assigned age ranges for each of these e-bikes, the fact is that most of them can accommodate riders well outside those narrow ranges.
You’ll find a broader sense of who they fit in each of our reviews. To get these age ranges, we took the manufacturer’s sizing recommendations and then correlated them with Centers for Disease Control data on height.
The youngest age in our range corresponds to children in the 75th percentile of height for their age, and the oldest age in our range corresponds to children in the 25th percentile—from the youngest kids who might reasonably fit an e-bike to the oldest kids who might fit it.
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Best Electric Bike for 6 to 7 Year Olds (44-50 inches in height)
When we reviewed the Himiway C1, one of the first benefits that we noticed about this pint-sized e-bike is that it can help flatten the learning curve for children new to riding something with only two wheels. The physics of how a bike balances don’t work to a child’s advantage; that’s because the smaller the wheels and the shorter the wheelbase, the harder it is for the bike to balance. Having a motor means that it’s no problem for a kid to reach sufficient speed to balance upright.
Himiway suggests that the C1 can fit kids from 4 to 12 years of age. That’s too vague to be helpful, but in the geometry section, Himiway prints that the C1 can fit kids from 39 in. (3 feet 3 inches) up to 57 in. (4 feet 9 inches). Standover height for the C1 is 19.7 in., which means that for a child to be able to stand over the C1 with both feet flat on the ground, they will need an inseam of at least 22 in., which corresponds to roughly 48 in. in height. What this means is that kids less than 4 feet tall may have a bit more trouble handling the C1 when it is stopped.
Himiway did a nice job of selecting components such as handlebar, grips and brake levers appropriate to smaller hands; even the footboards are sized for smaller feet. Based on our analysis of Himiway’s sizing data, the C1 can fit children as young as three and as old as 12.
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Best Electric Bike for 8 to 9 Year Olds (49 to 54 inches in height)
The JackRabbit wasn’t intended for kids; it is billed as a last-mile solution that is compact enough to fit in a car trunk, but it is its compact dimensions that make it an interesting choice for kids. Because of its compact size, children can easily reach the handlebar from the saddle, as well as reach the ground from the saddle.
Because it lacks a drivetrain, the JackRabbit OG counts as a balance e-bike, which will make it easier for kids who might be struggling with the coordination to pedal while simultaneously steering and balancing.
The one challenge that may cause concern for parents is the fact that the JackRabbit OG doesn’t offer multiple PAS levels that can limit top speed. In our testing, we rolled along at an average speed of 17.6 mph—which makes sense, considering this is meant to be transportation, not a child’s toy. Going slower requires the rider to depress the throttle less. JackRabbit’s suggested style of riding is to push the throttle, accelerate up to your desired speed, and then lay off the throttle and coast.
Of the many e-bikes we’ve reviewed over the years, few allow as low a saddle height as the JackRabbit OG and thanks to an adjustable stem, the already short reach can be reduced for smaller riders.
Best Electric Bike for 10 to 12 Year Olds (53 to 61 inches in height)
When considering an e-bike for a kid, not only does the size of the e-bike matter but how complicated it is also matters. Some kids become flustered by the extra layer of complication that comes with a multi-speed drivetrain. In fact, you don’t need to be a kid to prefer an e-bike with just one gear, which is why Lectric’s one-speed XP Lite 2.0 makes our list of the best e-bikes for kids.
One of the reasons that the Lectric XP Lite 2.0 makes our list is that this is the least expensive e-bike that we have recommended in full confidence. Our experience with Lectric e-bikes is considerable and we’ve found them to be both reliable and safe.
With a standover height of 22 in., the Lectric XP Lite may be a challenge for some smaller riders to straddle, but it allows for a very low saddle height. The lack of a multi-speed drivetrain not only makes the XP Lite 2.0 less complicated but also helps keep its weight down, coming in at 47.5 lbs.
Lectric suggests that riders as small as 4 feet 8 can ride the XP Lite in comfort; that’s the height of 10 year olds in the 75th percentile.
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Best Electric Bike for 13 to 15 Year Olds (59-69 inches in height)
The Aventon Soltera.2 is another versatile e-bike suitable for everything from riding to school to recreation and it makes our list of the best e-bikes for kids thanks to a few factors, including affordability and sizing.
This is a relatively lightweight e-bike—just 46 lbs.—powered by a 350W brushless, geared hub motor. Buyers concerned about hills will appreciate the 7-speed Shimano Tourney drivetrain. The 38mm-wide tires are narrower than we typically see on e-bikes in this price range; they lend a sportier feel and more solid feedback at the handlebar.
An unusual feature of the Aventon Soltera.2 is the presence of a torque sensor. Most e-bikes in this price range come with a cadence sensor, which requires the rider to pedal the better part of a complete pedal stroke before the motor kicks into action. With a torque sensor, the moment the rider begins to push on the pedals, the motor is ready to assist; it responds in proportion to how hard the rider is pedaling, making for a more connected and thrilling experience.
Sharp-eyed shoppers may notice that some adult e-bikes come in smaller-than-usual sizes. Such is the Aventon Soltera.2. Aventon makes the Soltera.2 in two frame designs (step-over and low-step or mixte), and the step-over frame comes in three sizes, with the smallest being appropriate for many teens. Aventon suggests that riders 5 feet 1 will fit on the small, the height of 12-year-olds in the 75th percentile.
Best Electric Bike for Teens 16 and Up (66 inches and taller)
Let’s say you have a teen who has good eye-hand coordination, a healthy respect for both speed and traffic, and a need for more self-directed transportation. An e-bike is an affordable alternative to a car, and the Ride1UP Portola makes our roundup because few e-bikes have reached this level of value.
We like the Portola because it is an effective means of transportation, and for students, the rear rack is perfect for carrying a book bag or pannier. Also, because it’s a folding e-bike, should there be a late function at school, it can be folded up to fit in the back of almost any car. Also, it comes with a longer-than-usual seatpost (350mm), which means your teen can grow and grow without outgrowing this e-bike until, or unless, they make the starting squad on the varsity basketball team.
This is a folding e-bike that Ride1UP says will fit riders as short as 4 feet 10, thanks in part to an adjustable handlebar mast. It sports a 750W brushless, geared hub motor and comes standard with a 500Wh battery, but that can be upgraded to a 643Wh battery if your teen has a long ride to school. And in case of a longer commute, the Portola can be unlocked to give Class 3 speeds, which maxes out at 28 mph.
Ride1UP gave the Portola hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors and an 8-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain with a wide-range (11-32t) cassette, making it well-suited to use in hillier places. The Portola folds up in seconds, making it easy to store. Plus, it comes with a complete array of accessories for commuting: front and rear lights, fenders, a rear rack, and a heavy-duty kickstand.
To make starting off easier and cut the lag time between when a rider begins pedaling and when the motor starts, Ride1UP included a 24-magnet cadence sensor as opposed to the 12-magnet cadence sensor we usually see. Ride1UP included a full selection of accessories, including front and rear lights, fenders, a rear rack, and a heavy-duty kickstand.
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Best Electric Mountain Bike for Kids
The Specialized Turbo Levo SL Kids makes our collection of the best e-bikes for kids for a couple of reasons. First, this is the only eMTB on our list, and it is capable of going to most of the places Mom or Dad might go. Second, it accommodates a broader cross-section of kid-sized people than any other e-bike in our roundup. Third, the Specialized Turbo Levo SL Kids allows a parent to set the controller to one of two max pedal-assist speeds: either 10 or 15.5 mph.
The Specialized 1.2 motor provides 300W of power to help kids keep up with grownups, whether going uphill or on the flats. Thanks to Specialized’s smartphone app, parents can adjust a number of performance parameters to give their pint-sized rider the performance necessary to keep riding as fun as possible.
The parts picked for the Specialized Turbo Levo SL Kids reflect the reality that most parents inclined to take their kid mountain biking would rather not drop five figures on an ultra-sophisticated eMTB. Specialized began with an aluminum frame, which offers a great combination of low weight and durability. A SRAM NX 11-speed drivetrain gives the sort of broad gear range necessary to ride technical singletrack. SRAM Level T hydraulic disc brakes paired with 160mm rotors provide excellent brake power and help to keep weight down.
We love that Specialized acknowledged how crucial dropper posts have become to mountain biking by equipping the Turbo Levo SL Kids eMTB with an 80mm-travel dropper post, a kid-appropriate size.
When we look at Specialized’s sizing info and check that against the CDC’s growth curves, the Turbo Levo SL Kids should fit most kids between the ages of 7 and 14.
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Best Electric Mountain Bike for Teenagers
With teens, it can sometimes be hard to know if you should still be looking at kids’ e-bikes or adult e-bikes. With eMTBs, though, the big legacy brands such as Trek and Specialized make them in multiple sizes and work hard to make sure that their smallest sizes offer a comfortable fit for people who might not have reached 5 feet in height. We’re closing out our collection of the best e-bikes for kids with Trek’s Marlin+ 8 in part because it comes in five sizes but also because this mid-drive eMTB offers an impressive value.
The Trek Marlin+ 8 features a 6000-series aluminum frame (Trek’s Alpha Gold) paired with a Rock Shox Recon Silver suspension fork. This air-spring fork is a far cry from the coil spring forks we see on e-bikes going for less than $2000. The Bosch Active Line Plus is a top-notch mid-drive motor that has the power and torque necessary to handle technical trails.
A 12-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain, 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes with 203mm rotors, and a dropper post help round out a parts package worthy of a proper eMTB. The wheels and tires are both tubeless-ready; Trek even includes sealant to run the tires tubeless.
Trek produces the Marlin+ 8 in five sizes to cover a broad range of rider heights. According to Trek, the XS size in the Marlin+ 8 can accommodate riders from a height of 4 feet 9 up to 5 feet 1; that’s small enough to accommodate some ten-year-olds. The S size can accommodate some 12-year-olds.
Parents concerned that their tech-savvy teen might want to turn their e-bike into a speedy Class 3 ride with a top assist speed of 28 mph need not worry; the Trek Marlin+ 8 is a Class 1 e-bike with a maximum assist speed of 20 mph and no throttle. Bosch motors are restricted from providing more assistance than that.
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Hiboy BK-1: This is one of the smallest balance e-bikes we found. Thanks to the 12-in. wheels the Hiboy BK-1 rolls on, the standover height is just 16.3 in., which makes it a great candidate for smaller kids. It features a 100W motor that is restricted to 9 mph. It also weighs just 17.6 lbs., making it one of the lightest e-bikes we’ve ever encountered.
Rambo Trailbreaker: This Class 2 e-bike rolls on 20 in. wheels and a BMX-style frame. This single speed e-bike offers a size in between the Himiway C1 and the Specialized Turbo Levo SL Kids. The Trailbreaker includes a throttle and limits the rider’s top assist speed, whether pedaling or throttling, to 17 mph. Rambo gave the Trailbreaker mechanical disc brakes to give it better stopping power than we usually see with kids bikes.
Bluejay WILD: The Bluejay WILD is an eMTB with 24-in. wheels, much like the Specialized Turbo Levo SL Kids, but Bluejay has selected a less expensive motor, as well as more value-oriented parts in the drivetrain and brakes. In doing this, Bluejay is able to shave $1000 off of the Specialized’s price. Bluejay also makes the WILD in two different sizes; riders as small as 50 in. tall can ride the small size. Bluejay limits the assist to a top speed of 12 mph.
Sizing: The right e-bike is invariably the one that fits the rider. When selecting an e-bike, finding one that will allow both the correct saddle height and the right amount of reach to the bar from the saddle is a big part of the rider’s comfort and confidence.
Motor output: Seeing your kiddo take off at the speed of an Olympic sprinter might not be what every parent has in mind when they consider an e-bike for their child. We’ve included several e-bikes here that allow a parent to restrict the top assist speed that the rider may be assisted to. Something to consider is that for many of us, 4 mph is a very brisk walk, and 7 mph is a jog. It’s important to consider whether you want to be able to keep up with your rider by walking, jogging, or riding.
Cost: Considering that kids can grow faster than kudzu in summer, we respect that many parents would like to balance their investment against how long their rider is likely to fit that e-bike. While we’ve favored e-bikes that cost less than $2000, we’ve included a few that are more expensive to demonstrate that the more technical the riding, the better the e-bike needs to be. The good news? Even after your mini-me has outgrown any of these e-bikes, they are well-made enough that they can be resold.
Weight: Expecting someone who weighs 60 lbs. to pick up something that weighs 60 lbs. is kinda mean. We have prioritized e-bikes in this collection that managed to keep their weight low or at least low-ish. We favored e-bikes that weigh less than 50 lbs.
Whether your need is to be able to ride with your kid, make it easier for them to get around, or flatten the learning curve for riding anything with two wheels, an e-bike can make riding fun for kids, and there is a manufacturer making something that will fit your (and your child’s) needs.
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