From Dipika Mirpuri,
Your Guide to Toys.
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Buying a kid's bike is not easy. You have to choose the perfect bike for your child based on the child's age, height, gender, type of terrain the bike is going to be ridden on, and many other factors. Above all, the bike has to be sturdy and safe and able to withstand pressure in the face of possible collisions. Where your child's safety is concerned, it doesn't hurt to be doubly sure that you have taken the right decision. Here is a list of what to look for in regards to safe construction of a kid's bike.

1. Bike Size
   Children's bikes sizes are calibrated not by height of the bike, but by wheel sizes. For example, bikes are available in 10", 12", 16" and so forth, which refers to the wheel size. It is a common tendency to go in for a bike depending on the age of a child, which is unfortunately not the right thing to do. Instead, the bike should be chosen based on the inseam of the child. The right bike is one on which your child can be comfortably seated on the bike seat with feet just touching the ground. On placing their feet up on the pedals, their knees should not touch the handlebars. When seated, their hands should be easily able to reach the handlebars.

2. Wheels
   The wheels of a bike play a very important part in the safety of a bike. The wheel rims ideally should be made of a metal alloy or aluminium. Steel or chrome rims should be avoided, for the reason that when wet, brake pads tend to be less abrasive on these surfaces. Aluminium or metal alloy rims have better non skid properties. While testing the bike, the wheels itself should spin freely without touching or grating against any other bike parts. The CPSC has a safety standard for the front wheels of all bikes, which requires that the front wheel remains attached to the bike even if all the nuts are removed.

3. Brakes
   Brakes are one of the most important aspects of a kid's bike. Kid's bikes typically have coaster brakes, which are engaged by pedaling the bike backwards. Hand Brakes are generally available in older kids bikes as they have better hand power to depress these brakes. You should make sure that the brakes are functioning well, and not creaking or grating against anything. You can upturn the bike, spin the wheels and depress the hand brakes to test the power of the brakes.

4. Frame
   The frame of a bike should be relatively strong and sturdy. An average adult should be able to bend the frame. You can do an alignment check to see if the front and back wheels are in the same plane as the frame.

5. Chain guards
   Chain guards typically cover the chain of the bike. They are very useful in preventing shoe laces, or jean/pant legs from getting caught in the chain or wheels. A good chain guard should cover the chain, and the chain should move smoothly within the guard, and not touch it anywhere.

These pointers should be followed closely while choosing a bike for your child. Another point that one should note is that it is a better idea to buy a bike from a bike shop instead of a department store simply because the bike shop is more likely to be aware of the techicalities of the bike, replacement parts, servicing and other factors which may not even occur to the salespeople in the department stores. For any sort of tune up or follow up checks, it will definitely be easier to go to a bike shop. Keeping this checklist in mind buying a kid's bike is much easier!