(Last updated on March 1st, 2023)
Never underestimate a kid’s abilities on an electric bike. I was a little skeptical when I lined up at the cyclocross course and first laid my eyes on a little boy with an e-bike. Much to my surprise, he easily passed me by with speed and skill on his tiny bike.
He had plenty of skills to handle the course, and the electric bike gave him the power to keep up with the grownups easily.
E-bikes are becoming increasingly popular, so it’s no wonder our kids want in on the fast fun, too. An e-bike can help your kid ride faster and longer. It can also improve skills like balance and steering, allowing them to keep up with the grownups when needed. So whether you’re doing laps around the block or heading to the ice cream shop, an e-bike might be an excellent choice for your child.
In this article, I’m going to talk about the best 7 e-bikes for kids that you can get right now. I’ll give you the details of each one and tell you why I picked it. I’ll talk about the characteristics you need to look for in your e-bikes and tell you which one I like best. Let’s get started.
What to Look for in a Kid’s Electric Bike
If you’re not sure where to start on what to look for in a kids’ e-bike, take a look at some of these features and characteristics.
Purpose
Before you run out and purchase your child an e-bike, ask yourself why they need or want one. Do they need help keeping up with adults they love to ride with? Or do they just want to speed around the neighborhood slightly faster?
Does your child need a bike to tool around town or something to help them mountain bike? The type of riding your child will help you pick out the right bike for them.
Distance and Elevation
Distance and elevation are two of the hardest parts of a bike ride for kids. So by giving them a bike with a motor, they’ll be able to climb hills easier and ride for longer distances.
Ebike Classes
There are three classes of e-bikes.
For example,
- Class 1. The motor only works when you pedal and only helps you up to 20 mph.
- Class 2. Pedal-assist mode up to 20mph and throttle-only mode up to 20mph.
- Class 3. Provides pedal assist up to 28 mph.
E-bikes for younger kids, though, don’t typically fall into classes. This is because they’re not fast enough to be considered. For example, the Hiboy BK1 only hits a max speed of 9mph. So you don’t need to worry about classes unless you have an older child looking at a full-size e-bike.
E-scooters are a fun type of vehicle for people of great taste.
Legality
E-bikes aren’t legal to ride everywhere, so first, you must find out if any laws govern e-bikes where you live. The laws for kids may be different than the laws for adults, as well.
Ebike Sizing
Most e-bikes are built for adults, so they’ll probably be too big for your younger child. Instead, look for a child’s bike with small tires – 12 inches to 16 inches. Have your child sit on the bike if possible to ensure it fits. Many children’s e-bikes have adjustable seats and handlebars so they can grow with your child.
Weight
The motor and battery make e-bikes heavier than a typical bike. More watts mean more power and speed; lower-watt bikes are better for younger riders.
Balance Bike or Pedal Bike
You may want to consider a balance e-bike first for a younger child. Then, they can learn to coast and push the bike with the motor off, and as they gain skills and confidence, they can begin to use the bike with the motor on. These bikes are also a great way to prepare a child for dirt biking later.
Older children who already know how to ride may prefer an e-bike with pedals rather than a balance or push bike. They can pedal the bike or use different levels of assistance to help them.
If your kids aren’t interested in a bike, you can consider an electric scooter, too.
Throttle
It’s important that children don’t accidentally turn on the throttle when they aren’t ready for it. This could cause an accident or make them afraid to ride.
Many of the bikes on this list are pushed to start, meaning they have to move them before the motor turns on physically. This cuts down on accidents.
Price
Of course, the final question on everyone’s mind is the price. Kids’ e-bikes are definitely less expensive than adult e-bikes. That being said, there is a wide range of pricing for kids’ bikes. I wanted to make sure that all of the bikes on this list were under a thousand dollars, so I found the best bikes between $200 and $1700 dollars so you can find one to fit your budget. Generally, the more expensive bikes will go faster and longer, and the less expensive bikes will be slower and have a shorter range.
Best Kids’ Electric Bikes: A Quick Look
| Best for | Type | Max Speed | Brakes | Lights | Bike weight | Throttle | Motor | Range | Price | Rating | |
| Hiboy BK1 | Ages 3 to 5 | Balance bike | 9 MPH | Double Braking | N/A | 17.6 pounds | Slide to start | 100 watts | $245.99 | 10/10 | |
| Hover-1 Electric-Bicycles My First E-Bike | Youth | Balance | 8 MPH | Electronic and mechanical | LED screen for speed and battery | 21 pounds | Push to start | 150 watts | 7.5 miles | $249.99 | 9.5/10 |
| Eclypse Astra 16” Electric Balance Dirt Bike | Ages 4 – 8 | Balance | 5 – 11 mph | Drum brake | N/A | 31.4 pounds | Twist Grip | 18 Volt Brushless | 45 – 70 minutes | $699.99 | 8.5/10 |
| Commencal Kids Meta Power 24 Electric Bike | Teens | Mountain Bike | Hydraulic Disc | LED screen for speed and battery | 41 lbs | Grip | 250 Watt | $3800 | 9/10 | ||
| Mondraker F-Play 24 Electric Kids Bike | Teens | Mountain Bike | 15.6 mph assist | Hyrdaulic disc brakes | Speed and battery display | 36 pounds | Grip | Rear hub | $3999 | 9.5/10 | |
| Rad City 5 | Teens and adults | City/ Commuter | 20mph | Hydraulic disc | Front, rear, display | 64 pounds | Half twist throttle | 750 watts | Up to 50 miles | $1699 | 9 /10 |
| RadRunner 2 | Parents to carry kids | All-terrain | 20 mph | disc | Front and rear | 65 pounds | 750 Watts | 20-45 miles | $1399 | 9.5/10 |
Electric Balance Bikes
Best for the Youngest Riders
1. Hiboy BK1
Our Rating
10/10
$245.99
KEY SPECS
| Ages 3 – 5 |
| 100 Watt motor |
| Max speed of 9mph |
| Bike weight 17.6 pounds |
| 30 – 50 minute run time – up to 6.2 miles |
| Adjustable seat |
| 12-inch wheels |
PROS
- Budget-friendly
- Introduces your child to electric bikes and dirt biking at slower, safer speeds
CONS
- It may be heavy for a three-year-old to maneuver
- Footrests are small
The Hiboy BIK1 is an electric balance bike for smaller kids. You don’t have to worry about them accidentally turning on the throttle – this is a push-to-start motor, which I think is a great safety provision for younger kids. Since they can’t accidentally turn it on, it won’t take off and cause an accident.
The motor is 100 watts – just enough to get them going up to 9 mph. I like that this bike has a slower speed and a smaller motor. You don’t want to give young kids more bike than they are ready to handle – this one will grow with them.
The adjustable seat means it will fit a range of sizes and can grow with your child. Once they master the push bike aspect, they can use the motor and rest their little feet on the footrest.
At under $250, this is a very budget-friendly bike you can enjoy with your kids.
OUR VERDICT
This is a great starter bike for a younger child – just as long as they are ready for it! We love that it’s adjustable and can be used without the motor until your child is ready for a little more speed. We give it a 10/10.
Best Balance Bike for the In-Between Ages
2. Hover-1 Electric-Bicycles
Our Rating
9.5/10
$249.99
KEY SPECS
| Max speed eight mph |
| Dual brakes |
| Height adjustable seat |
| 132-pound weight limit |
| Weights 21 pounds |
| 7.5-mile range |
| Push to start |
| 14-inch wheels |
PROS
- This bike is easy to assemble
- Push to start safety feature
- Available in multiple colors
CONS
- The charging port may get dirty easily
- Easily damaged by rain
Similar to the HiBoy, the Hover-1 is a small electric balance bike.
It is low to the ground, so it fits smaller kids. And it only reaches a top speed of 8mph, so you don’t have to worry about your child going too fast.
It’s easy and safe to ride. It has both electronic and rear brakes, so your child can stop safely without flying off over the handlebars (you’ll have to teach them how to brake correctly, of course!). The kickstand is plenty sturdy enough to hold the bike. And once kids get used to using it as a balance or push bike, they can pick up their feet and ride it like a tiny little moped. I do think the footrests could be a little bit big, though, because you don’t want their feet to slip off.
The adjustable seat and 132-pound weight limit mean your child can use this bike for a long time.
OUR VERDICT
This is a great choice if you need a small balance e-bike for kids. We love the safety feature of a push to start, which has a great range of 7.5 miles. Kids can ride at a max speed of 8 mph. Dual brakes help your child stop quickly and safely.
Just be careful because you can’t ride it in wet or rainy conditions, and the charging port is where dirt can get in it easily. Otherwise, we give it a 9.5/10.
Best Balance Bike for Older Kids
3. Eclypse Astra 16”
Our Rating
8.5/10
$699.99
KEY SPECS
| Weight 21 pounds 14 ounces |
| Three speeds from 5 to 11 mph |
| Can balance and coast with the motor off to learn skills |
| Adjustable seat height |
| 45 to 70-minute run time |
| 16-inch wheels |
| Covered drive chain |
| Recharges in 80 minutes |
| A great introduction to dirt bike riding |
PROS
- Three-speed settings mean your child can practice skills lower speeds
- Handlebar drum brake helps your child learn braking control
CONS
- Short battery life
- It may be challenging to purchase spare batteries
- More expensive than similar bikes
For a bike that really grows with your child, you might like the Eclypse Astra 16in. You can see the wheels are slightly bigger than the other balance bikes on this list. So if your child is a little larger or older, this might be their choice. The manufacturer recommends it for ages 4 to 8.
This bike has some really good tread on the tires, which will give it some extra grip for riding in grass or dirt, plus the taller wheels (as compared to the first two bikes) will be able to get over small obstacles better – like a rock or a root. The footrests aren’t too big, but they have some grippers that will help your child’s feet stay put.
The battery is easily accessible, but it might be in the way of little legs, so you’ll probably want to ensure the bike fits before purchasing it.
This bike has a cool dirt bike style that kids will enjoy, especially if they are looking forward to growing into a real dirt bike.
OUR VERDICT
We give the Eclypse an 8.5/10. It’s a great bike but is more expensive than similar models. But if you have a child looking to get a start in dirt biking, this is a great way to go.
Electric Pedal Bikes
If your child is a little older, you may want to invest in a different e-bike. First, let’s look at some pedal e-bikes for kids.
Best Hill Climbing Ebike
4. Commencal Kids Meta Power 24 Electric Bike
Our Rating
9/10
$3,800
KEY SPECS
| Hydraulic disc brakes | |||
| 250-watt motor | |||
| Three levels of pedal assist | |||
| 150mm cranks | |||
| Dropper post | |||
| 41 pounds | |||
| Includes LED screen for speed and battery |
PROS
- Plenty of power to help your child get uphill
- Includes full suspension and a dropper post for extra comfort, control, and traction
CONS
- Very expensive
- The cranks are short at 150mm, so this bike is intended for shorter riders.
As mountain biking increases in popularity, schools are adding mountain bike programs to their list of sports activities. One of the challenges, though, is helping your child get uphill. An e-mountain bike can give them a little extra power to make it up those steep hills so they can shred it, just like you!
There are a couple of things I really like about this bike. First of all, it looks like an adult bike, so if your child has a favorite mountain biker hero, they can ride a similar bike. Second of all, it’s got some good torque for climbing hills. This will be helpful if your child has trouble keeping up!
The tires have lots of deep treads to give good traction, too. And, of course, they can ride it on the trails or even on the roads just for fun. It has nice short cranks so that it will work for smaller teens.
Honestly, the only drawback is that it is about as expensive as an adult e-bike.
OUR VERDICT
This is an expensive bike, but you get a lot for your money. It has a decent motor to get your child up hills and hydraulic brakes to help you stop on the way back down. We love that this bike has full suspension and a dropper post, too – it’s everything a good mountain bike needs. However, due to the high price, we give it a 9/10.
Best All Around Kids Mountain E-Bike
5. Mondraker F-Play 24
Our Rating
9.5/10
$3,999
KEY SPECS
| Full suspension |
| It provides stability, good handling, and control |
| Lightweight aluminum frame |
| 24-inch tires |
| 1x drivetrain for easy shifting |
| Junior-sized handlebar, grips, and saddle |
| 150 mm cranks |
| 36 pounds |
| Rear hub motor |
| 15.6 mph max speed |
PROS
- Excellent grip and stability
- Discreet motor and battery
CONS
- Very expensive
- 150mm cranks mean this bike is for very short riders
It’s a fully-stocked mountain bike in a kid’s size, which makes it a really cool bike.
First of all, the Mondraker has a lightweight aluminum frame with 120 mm of suspension travel. So the bike will absorb the lumps and bumps of the trail. The suspension, combined with the thick tread on the tires, will give the bike some extra grip, which means fewer spills as your child learns to ride the trails.
At first glance, you can’t tell the Mondraker is an e-bike, too. The battery and motor are very discreet, which is a plus if your child is shy about needing the extra help of an e-bike.
The design is compact and low maintenance, too.
The only issue I see is the price tag – it’s a big investment to make if your child is just testing out whether or not they really want an e-bike, so choose wisely.
OUR VERDICT
This bike is for the best shredders in the smallest sizes.
The Mondraker is a lightweight, fully-stocked mountain bike with a pretty hefty price tag. Nevertheless, you’ve got many suspensions to absorb vibrations and offer traction, with small chunky wheels and short cranks for shorter riders. The motor has plenty of power to climb hills and lots of stopping power with its hydraulic disc brakes.
The only drawback here is the price tag, so we give this bike a 9.5/10 for safety and control.
Best for School Commute
6. Rad City 5 Plus
Our Rating
9/10
$1,699
KEY SPECS
| 750 Watt motor |
| Five levels of pedal assist |
| 28 to 50 miles range |
| Front and rear LED lights |
| Half-twist throttle |
| Hydraulic disc brakes |
| 7 Speeds |
| Front and rear fenders |
| Puncture-resistant tires |
PROS
- Reasonably priced e-bike
- It fits smaller adults and teens
CONS
- Not specifically a kid’s bike, so make sure your child is ready to handle it
- This is a great-looking bike, except for the mess of cabling at the handlebars
The Rad City 5 Plus Electric Commuter Bike isn’t technically a kids’ bike. However, the step-through frame is perfect for smaller riders, including teens. It fits riders between 4 feet 8 inches and 6 feet tall, so it will work for a wide range of teenage riders. Make sure your child is ready for a bike with this much power! With a 750-watt motor, it has a lot of power and speed.
The tires aren’t exceptionally grippy, so this is definitely a road bike, not a mountain bike. It has 5 levels of pedal assist, so you’ll probably want to teach your teen to use the lower amounts of assist until they get used to the bike. And it has a far range.
This is a reasonably priced bike (for an adult e-bike) with plenty of features. So your teen can commute to work, ride home after school activities, or just have fun with their friends.
OUR VERDICT
If you have an older child who is ready for some more speed and power, this is a reasonably priced, very safe bicycle. It offers plenty of lights, stability, and stopping power. It has plenty of cargo options, too, if your child needs to carry a backpack to school. The only caveat is in making sure your teen is ready for the responsibility of this much speed and power. Otherwise, we give it a 9/10.
Electric Bikes for Adults to Carry Kids
We’ve talked about bikes for the littlest riders to older teens, but what if you need to carry your kid? Then, we’ve got you covered! Sure, you could get an ebike kit, or you could get one of these great bikes.
Best Cargo Bikes for Small Passengers
7. RadRunner 2
Our Rating
9.5/10
$1,399
KEY SPECS
| 750 Watt Motor |
| LED headlight and integrated taillight |
| Four levels of pedal assist |
| 25 – 45 mile range |
| Half-twist grip throttle |
| Available child seats |
| Aluminum frame with steel fork |
| Fenders are sold separately |
| 3.3-inch tires |
PROS
- The step-through aluminum frame is sturdy and makes it easy to get on and off the bike, even with passengers.
- Can carry plenty of cargo and children
CONS
- The bike is only available in one size, which may be difficult for small riders.
- Although the bike is reasonably priced, the child seats are sold separately and are expensive.
The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English. Many desktop publishing packages and web page editors now use Lorem Ipsum as their default model text, and a search for ‘lorem ipsum’ will uncover many websites still in their infancy. Various versions have evolved over the years, sometimes by accident, sometimes on purpose (injected humour and the like).
The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English. Many desktop publishing packages and web page editors now use Lorem Ipsum as their default model text, and a search for ‘lorem ipsum’ will uncover many web sites still in their infancy. Various versions have evolved over the years, sometimes by accident, sometimes on purpose (injected humour and the like).
The RadRunner 2 is an all-terrain e-bike at a very affordable price. This all-around great bike is high on my list of all-terrain e-bikes. The extra wide tires will take you over all sorts of terrain.
The RadRunner 2 can carry up to two children with optional child seats (available on their website, of course). Or you can add an optional passenger seat, pet seat, or cargo basket. You can drop your littles off at school and head on your way to work.
The RadRunner 2 can carry up to 300 pounds of people or cargo, so you won’t have to worry about weighing down your bike. In addition, it has a powerful 750-watt motor with up to a 45-mile range.
It will also fit riders as short as 4 foot 11, so your capable teen can ride it, too! Just make sure they are ready for the amount of power this bike offers.
Remember that this bike is pretty heavy, so if you run out of battery power, it will be really hard to pedal, especially with kids in tow.
OUR VERDICT
The RadRunner 2 is a very flexible, all-terrain bike. It’s great for taking your kids to school, riding to the ice cream shop, or getting your groceries. The step-through frame makes it accessible to older teens, too, so you can share a bike if you desire! We give it a 9.5/10.
My Verdict on Kids’ Electric Bike
There’s a wide variety of bikes on this list, making it really hard to choose a favorite. However, if you have a really young rider, we love the Hiboy BK1. It’s small, easy to maneuver, and doesn’t go too fast, so your little speedster can safely learn to ride.
On the other hand, if you have a talented teen who just loves to shred, I just love the Mondraker. It has full suspension, plenty of power for hills, and lots of stability and stopping power. But, of course, you’ll want to ensure your teen has the skills needed for this bike.
If you don’t like these solutions, you might consider a conversion kit to create your own e-bike.
And lastly, if you’re a busy parent wanting to tote your kids around on your bike, the RadRUnner is top-notch. It’s very affordable for an e-bike, but I really love that it has so many options. For example, you can choose two child seats for little riders or a passenger seat for larger riders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some states have laws about how young a child can be to ride an e-bike. In other states, there is no minimum age. However, in some areas, there are restrictions on classes of e-bikes and where you can ride them. So before you purchase an e-bike for your child, it’s best to see if it’s legal for them to ride one.
Some e-bikes can provide pedal assist up to 28mph. However, the max speed of the bikes on this list is 20mph, making them class 1 bikes or less. The children’s electric balance bikes on this list go slower – as slow as a max speed of 8mph.
Some states regulate the age at which you must wear a helmet. For example, in Pa, anyone under the age of 12 must wear a helmet. However, it’s good common sense to wear a helmet regardless of age.
That depends on the size of the battery. Smaller batteries can charge in as little as 80 minutes, while larger batteries may take up to 24 hours.
If your child needs help keeping up with you on your rides or struggles with hills, you may want to get them an e-bike so they can keep up. On the other hand, if they are interested in learning to dirt bike, you may want to get them an electric balance bike to practice and learn skills before investing in a more expensive, more powerful bike.
Amanda Whittington is an expert writer, impassioned cyclist, and musician. Coming from a diverse educational background, Amanda discovered a deep-rooted passion for encouraging others through her love of all things cycling, writing, and inspiring hope.
You’ll likely find Amanda pouring over bike specs, comparing the hottest cycling tech, and sporting the latest jerseys while juggling the demands of her editorial calendar, training schedule, tiny homestead, and 6 busy kids.
She spends her free time absorbed in her own gardening and fitness, cycling, and reading, all while encouraging adoption and foster care, championing the underdog, and of course, working with her chickens and goats.
