Banwood Balance Bike review: A stylish and safe ride for young riders

Once your tot is on the move you might start looking for alternative modes of transport such as ride-ons, bikes or trikes that are suitable for your tot, but they're not always easy on the eye, which is what I loved about the Banwood Balance Bike.

I'd bought the themed trikes and balance bikes for my son, but he quickly outgrew the style of them and was always asking for a bike version of the next character he loved, and as a second time parent I wasn't going to make the same mistake.

I tested the Banwood Balance Bike with my two-year-old daughter, who despite being obsessed with the princess bikes in stores, became even more obsessed with this one.

Testing the Banwood Balance Bike

I've had my eye on the Banwood Balance Bike since my daughter was born and have always loved the colours of them, with the wicker basket being a key selling point - because what child wouldn't love to have a safe place to pop their favourite teddy when going for a bike ride?

I'm not very confident at bike building, and have always opted for bikes I bought my son to be built in store, so having to build the Banwood Balance Bike was a little bit daunting. However, I found the instructions incredibly easy to follow and it was really simple to build.

The wheels of the bike are firm, and the handlebar is easy to turn too. You can raise the handlebar if needed, but the lowest settings worked for my daughter.

While the bike might be on the higher end of the price point for a balance bike, I think the inclusion of the wicker basket, the bell and the overall quality of the bike, it is justifiable and worth it. The frame is sturdy and I love the contrast of the seat and handles. I found the bell the most difficult to attach to the bike as it's a tight clip, but this just means it's not easy to fall off.

My daughter has been obsessed with the Banwood Balance Bike since she set eyes on it, and it's almost impossible to keep her off it. If I could let her, she would sit on it watching television or eating her meals.

She struggles to ring the bell sometimes as it is stiff, but as a parent this isn't the end of the world as it just means the bell gets rung a lot less. My daughter also loves the wicker basket, and often pops her favourite teddy in and a few snacks for our biking adventures.

My daughter finds it easy to use the balance bike and also finds it easy to stop on it too. I thought she might get tired on some journeys as she's working her legs more, but she's been on long bike rides without getting off or complaining that she's tired. The fact she wants to stay on the bike reassures me that it's comfortable for her too.

Final Verdict

Overall, the Banwood Balance Bike ticks so many boxes as a parent, as well as ticking so many more for kids. I loved the design and style, meaning not only will it last my daughter a long time but it will also be easier to pass on to my friends daughter, who will just be old enough to use this bike when my daughter outgrows it.

I loved the additional features too, and I think this is what a lot of other balance bikes miss. I think the Banwood Balance Bike hits that pain point of not only being suitable for children for a longer period of time, but also having a lot of features that aren't readily available until buying a bike with pedals.

What age is the Banwood Bike suitable for?

The bikes suggested age is from two and a half years up to five years, however it's certified for ages three to five. My daughter is two and a half years old and is able to sit comfortably on the seat with her feet touching the floor.

Samantha Ball is a Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby, having written for the brand since 2018. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best and current trending products for little ones and for cute seasonal outfits.