How to Accessorise Your Child’s Bike

A Bobbin bike is one of the first things entirely owned by a kid. It may not seem like it, but these so-called ‘two wheels’ are key in their journey to self-expression. Paired with bicycle accessories, their prized possessions couldn’t be even more special.

Ready to spice things up? Keep reading!

Bike Baskets

Baskets give bikes undeniable pizzazz. Adding one helps a child experience the same cycle route they’ve been taking for years in a new way. Whether that’s being able to pack a picnic up or bring your dog along, it’s for the better!

There’s also a huge range available on the market, and you can get them as:

• D shaped: Like our Gingersnap Spare Baskets - with the side closest to the bike flat while the other curves.
• Ovular: As the name suggests, it is shaped like a squashed circle. For instance, this Allotment Bike Basket.
• Rectangular: The Cambridge Bike Basket is our example of a basket shaped like a rectangle.

Choosing which shape basket to fit on your kid’s bike can make it their own!

At Bobbin, we offer bicycles with baskets. And those models that don’t already come with one can easily have one of our bike baskets attached. We’ve even created one specifically for Teddy to hop into so they don't miss out on any fun!

Stickers

Bike stickers are a great way for your child to express their interests. You can get generic designs like flowers, stars, and smileys. But you can also find stickers of your little rider’s favourite movie characters.

It can also be a good idea to have a sticker of your child’s name on their bike. It will help them identify it amongst the mound of bikes in the playground. It’s almost like marking ‘Andy’ on Woody’s cowboy boot. It creates a sense of loyalty to their bike, be it a balance bike or a tricycle, and can mean that they treat it with more care.

Bike Bells or Horns

 

You may be thinking that this is hardly a way of personalising a bike but more a practical item for safety. A must-have for cycling safety rules, it’s also a great way to introduce some individuality to a bicycle.

You can buy a bell in a range of colours, like this retro bike bell, depending on your child’s preference. The same goes for classic bike horns, such as classic squeeze bike horns. Or, if the aggressive sound of a standard horn is too much for you, opt for an electric one.

Memories of endless entertainment ding-donging the bell should convince you of their value. If not, the safety it provides when cycling should seal the deal.

Garlands

Garland accessories are wreaths that can be worn or hung up. For a basket, a garden for bike wraps around the outside as a form of decoration. These attachments can be an arts and crafts project to dive into and decorate for your child’s bike all at once.

Garlands come in all sorts of designs - from pom-poms like this pom pom string to flowers to flags. Threading the garland with your child makes the final result individual to you. It can be something you can remember each time you go out cycling.

Or, if you want to ensure neatness and durability, you can buy a pre-made garland to decorate your basket. Either way, it makes for a great end product to become your latest kids’ bike accessory.

Bike Streamers

Also known as tassels, streamers add an element of fun and creativity to cycling. They enhance one’s biking experience by creating colourful movements as they ride. This, in return, stimulates a child’s imagination, making pedalling more enjoyable.

To create DIY handlebar streamers, gather eye-catching ribbons or thin strips of fabric. Next, attach them securely to the handlebars and let them flow freely. This DIY project is affordable and allows for customisation. Feel free to follow our “How to Make Bike Streamers” guide for more.

Additionally, investing in one can save you time and effort. Take this handlebar tassels, for instance. It is designed for durability and safety and comes in a variety of appealing colours.

Reflective Strips

Plastering reflective strips over a kid’s bike is considered a safety measure. This is because of the extra visibility it can grant them in the dark.

These sticker additions are a cheap and easy method to help motorists spot you at night. Even better, they don’t only have to be a practical item. Glowing in the dark is pretty cool if you ask us.

You can shape the reflective lights into patterns or wrap them around the inside of the wheels. Go crazy with it! It will only make your young riders visible, which is never a bad thing.

Kids Bike Lights

Alongside reflective strips, or as an alternative, you can buy lights. A light like this is essential if your kid rides their bike at dusk.

These illumination gears come in a range of different shapes and sizes. Popular types include bike wheel lights and front and bicycle rear lights. These usually use LED lights to make you more striking to oncoming traffic.

At Bobbin, we offer the button light set that you can attach to any part of the bike frame. It comes with white lights for the front of the bike and red for the rear, giving visibility of up to 700 metres.

Time to Accessorise!

Now you’ve heard all the options, will it be the:

• Bike baskets
• Stickers
• Bike bells or horns
• Basket garlands
• Handlebar tassels
• Reflective strips
• Bike lights

... or all of them!

The great thing about these accessories is that it’s a “the more, the merrier” situation. Overall, they help to reflect the fun that your child has on their bike to the outside world!

Don’t forget to equip their handy basket with bike spare parts, e.g., an extra kids bike lock. Finally, fill their cycling water bottle for hours of adventure, and they’re good to go!

Next on your reading list: How to Ride with a Dog in a Basket