Ride On! 11 Enjoyable Books About Bicycles for Children
by Lindsay Barrett
Few developmental milestones elicit as much parenting pride as when a child learns to ride a bike. It brings kids a burst of independence, and bike riding is the perfect metaphor for discussing social-emotional topics like growth mindset, believing in yourself, perseverance, and more. It’s no wonder there are tons of inspiring bike-themed books for kids to enjoy. Whether you have a toddler who loves riding along with adults, a kiddo getting ready to take off the training wheels, or an older child who could benefit from cycling-related inspiration, check out these 11 books about bikes for kids.
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Go, Bikes, Go!
Buy from:This energetic board book about many kinds of bikes will become a favorite for bike-loving families. The pleasing rhymes roll right off the tongue, and the impressive range of bikes featured will keep kids on the lookout for real-life examples. A bicycle that swims? A biking kazoo band? We want to see those!
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Ride Beside Me
Buy from:A child rides along on Mom’s bike through the neighborhood and celebrates all the bicycles they see. From racing bikes to family bikes and recumbent cruisers, there’s such a vibrant parade of cyclists that they take over the road! This is a perfect read-aloud for kiddos who enjoy going on family bike rides through their community.
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The Bike Lesson
Buy from:When Father Bear brings home a new bicycle for Brother, he has some important bike safety lessons he wants to cover — things like stopping, avoiding obstacles, and obeying traffic laws. In classic Father Bear fashion, he needs a bit of guidance himself. Kids will crack up as he spins his many hilarious mishaps into rhyming warnings like, “This is what you must never do. Now let this be a lesson to you.” (Despite the book’s vintage charm, today’s parents will want to add “wear a helmet” to the list!)
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Froggy Rides a Bike
Buy from:Froggy books are a go-to for many life lessons, and learning to ride a bike is no exception. Froggy and his dad go to the store to choose a new bike — and then he has to figure out how to ride it. He must overcome some “more red in the face than green” moments, but by the end of the book, he’s pedaling like a pro. This is an encouraging title to prep kids for their first bike riding attempts.
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Two Wheels
Buy from:Many kids — especially those from biking enthusiast families — will relate to this first-person narrative of a boy’s progression from riding in the baby seat to riding a tricycle, coasting around on a balance bike, riding with training wheels, and learning to ride a two-wheeler. The author does an excellent job of explaining how each bike is helpful and portraying the feelings kids might have at each phase of their biking journey.
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Wild Blue: Taming a Big-Kid Bike
Buy from:When Kayla outgrows her bike with training wheels called “Pink Pony,” her dad takes her to buy a new two-wheeled bike. “Wild Blue” is a different type of horse, and it takes all of Kayla’s courage and perseverance to become a confident rider. Children of all ages can appreciate this story on different levels, from a simple learn-to-ride-a-bike tale to thinking about how someone tackles a challenge reflects their unique identity.
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Everyone Can Learn to Ride a Bicycle
Buy from:Cheerful and direct, an adult talks a child through the steps and attitude needed to learn to ride a bike. The key ingredient is having the courage to try again (and again and again) through the “Oh dear” moments. This book fits many contexts, whether actual bike riding or the need for bravery and persistence in the face of any new challenge.
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Joy Ride
Buy from:There are many stories about kids getting new bikes, but this feel-good narrative celebrates the fun of bringing an old bike back to life. When Joy finds a beat-up bicycle at her grandad’s house, she knows it’s perfect for a shared DIY fix-up. When kids tease Joy about her fancied-up cruiser, she feels embarrassed. But with some encouragement, she feels pride and satisfaction in her special project — an awesome bike!
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Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah
Buy from:This true story shares one example of how cycling can empower individuals. Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah used his one strong leg and a donated bike to travel around Ghana, challenging stereotypes and championing rights for people with disabilities in his country. Emmanuel’s determination will inspire readers, and this story could also spark an interest in learning about local organizations that support cyclists.
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The Birth of the Bicycle: A Bumpy History of the Bicycle in America 1819-1900
Buy from:Have you ever wondered how the bicycle came to be? This fun, informational book takes kids on a journey through time. The bouncy, rhyming text introduces the first clunky wooden “velocipede,” an early pedal-driven metal bicycle that, unfortunately for the rider, lacked brakes! Readers will also learn about bicycle circus acts and the “Bicycle Craze” of the late nineteenth century, which paved the way for bikes to become a common mode of transportation.
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Bibsy Cross and the Bike-a-Thon
Buy from:Meet Bibsy, the endearing 8-year-old star of a new early chapter book series. Bibsy loves to ride her bike and is an excellent example for kids of how a bike can channel “extra” emotions and energy. When her beloved public library hosts a bike-a-thon, she throws herself into fundraising and training. Unexpected challenges turn the big event into a different type of ride than she pictured, but reaching the finish line is sweet and satisfying. This is a perfect choice for newly independent readers who enjoy bike riding — or could be motivated to get there one day!
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