How Riding Started for Me
Pictured in 2001 on my Polini 50, waiting to roll onto the start line.
Where It All Started
This photo was taken in 2001, racing my Polini 50 while waiting to move onto the start line.
I can still remember the nerves, the excitement and being absolutely desperate for that gate to drop.
That feeling of wanting to race, improve and get back out riding again was there from the very beginning.
For me it started on bikes like the QR50 and Polini 50. For the next generation, it might start on an electric bike.
I got my first bike at 3 years old — a Honda QR50 back in 1998.
I still remember burning my leg on the exhaust. That probably sounds mad now, but those are some of the earliest memories that started a lifelong obsession with bikes.
Back then, we didn’t have electric balance bikes or youth electric dirt bikes. Those simply didn’t exist.
And honestly — kids today are lucky.
The products available now are incredible. Young riders can learn balance, throttle control and off-road skills earlier than ever before, on bikes that are quieter, more approachable and genuinely capable.
My Philosophy
I believe the right first bike can spark a lifetime in riding.
Confidence starts somewhere. Progress starts somewhere.
For me, it started on a Honda QR50.
For the next generation, it might start on a Revvi, Amped, STACYC, RFN or EBOX.
Why This Matters To Me
I’ve been selling kids electric bikes since before Covid, and launched Garland Powersports with one clear goal:
To sell products I genuinely believe in as a rider.
Not just products to sell — bikes I’d recommend, bikes I’d put young riders on, and bikes that help build the next generation.
I still train and race with the goal of competing at the highest level of motocross in England, and I take huge pride in helping families choose the right first bike.
Riding Can Give Kids More Than Just a Bike
One thing I’ve learned through a lifetime in motocross is that riding can give young people far more than just a hobby.
It can give them a dream. It can give them purpose. It can help build real self-discipline from a young age.
Progression in riding teaches patience, commitment and confidence. Whether that’s learning to balance on a first electric bike or one day lining up on a motocross start gate, every step gives a young rider something to work towards.
A bike can be the start of much more than riding — it can be the start of character.
Quick Answer: What Bike Would I Recommend?
The best kids electric bike depends on the rider’s age, height, confidence and experience.
Young Beginners
Start with a Revvi, Amped or STACYC 12” electric balance bike.
Confident Riders
Look at the Revvi 16 Plus, Revvi 18 or Amped A16 Pro.
Performance Riders
The Amped A20 Pro is one of my strongest recommendations.
Older Riders
RFN, Amped Comp, EBOX and Electro & Co are the next step.
How I Choose a Bike as a Racer
A lot of kids electric bike advice online is very generic. It usually focuses on age, wheel size and price. Those things matter, but they don’t tell the full story.
When I recommend a bike, I’m thinking about:
- Confidence before power
- Control before speed
- Progression before ego
- The rider’s size, ability and mindset
- Whether the bike will help them build proper riding habits
The best bike isn’t always the biggest or fastest one. The best bike is the one that helps the rider improve safely and confidently.
Stage 1: First Electric Balance Bike
Best for: young riders starting out, usually around 2–5 years old depending on size, confidence and experience.
This stage is all about balance, braking, throttle control and confidence. You don’t need huge power here. You need something light, manageable and easy for the rider to understand.
Recommended Bikes
- Revvi 12 — a brilliant first electric balance bike for younger riders.
- STACYC 12eDRIVE — a premium option for riders starting early.
- Amped A10 — a smooth, premium first-bike option.
If I was starting a young rider from scratch, I’d want them on something that lets them build confidence slowly. At this age, the goal is not speed — it’s control.
Stage 2: Stepping Up From a 12” Bike
Best for: riders who have already built some balance and confidence, usually around 4–7 years old depending on height and experience.
This is where a lot of riders start to become more capable. They are no longer just learning to balance — they are learning how to ride with more purpose, carry speed and control the bike better.
Recommended Bikes
- Revvi 16 — a strong step up from a 12” bike.
- Revvi 16 Plus — better for riders who want more capability and off-road confidence.
- Amped A16 Pro — a more advanced option for confident young riders.
The Revvi 16 is a great choice for general progression. The Revvi 16 Plus adds more of an off-road feel, while the Amped A16 Pro suits families looking for something more performance-focused.
Stage 3: The Proper Progression Stage
Best for: confident young riders, usually around 6–9+ depending on size and ability.
This is where the bike choice starts to matter more. Riders at this stage may already be confident standing up, riding off-road, using the brakes properly and managing speed.
My Top Picks at This Stage
Revvi 18 — ideal for riders stepping up from smaller balance bikes.
Revvi 20 — a strong mid-range option for taller riders.
Amped A20 Pro — one of my favourite choices for riders wanting more performance, stronger spec and a more advanced feel.
If a rider is confident and looking like they will progress quickly, this is where I’d start looking seriously at the Amped A20 Pro. It has that more serious feel without jumping straight into a full-size electric dirt bike.
Shop Revvi 18 Shop Revvi 20 Shop Amped A20 Pro
Why I Rate the Amped A20 Pro Highly
The Amped A20 Pro is one of the bikes I’d recommend for riders who are already confident and want something that feels more capable than a basic kids electric balance bike.
It suits the kind of rider who:
- Has already outgrown smaller 12”, 16” or 18” bikes
- Wants stronger performance
- Is riding more off-road
- Needs a bike that feels more stable and planted
- Could potentially progress towards motocross or electric dirt bikes later
For me, this is where the bike becomes more than just a toy. It becomes a proper stepping stone.
View Amped A20 Pro Upgrade Guide
Stage 4: Moving Towards Electric Dirt Bikes
Best for: older, taller or more experienced riders who are ready for a more serious off-road machine.
Once a rider has the basics nailed — balance, throttle control, braking, body position and confidence — they may be ready to move towards a more powerful electric dirt bike.
Recommended Next-Step Bikes
- Amped Comp Electric Bikes — a strong bridge into serious off-road performance.
- Electro & Co Electric Bikes — top-tier option for more experienced riders.
- EBOX V3 Electric Bikes — more serious electric off-road bikes for riders wanting performance.
This is not the stage I’d rush into too early. A rider who has learned properly on the right smaller bike will usually ride a more powerful bike better, safer and with more control.
If I Was Building the Ideal Progression Path
If I was mapping out a proper riding journey for a young rider, I’d think of it like this:
My Ideal Progression Route
- Revvi 12 or STACYC 12eDRIVE — first balance and throttle control.
- Revvi 16 Plus or Amped A16 Pro — more confidence and better off-road ability.
- Revvi 18 or Revvi 20 — bigger bike feel and more progression.
- Amped A20 Pro or Amped Comp — performance-focused step before a proper electric dirt bike.
- Electro & Co / EBOX — for riders ready for more serious off-road riding.
Build the rider first — then build the bike size and performance.
My Honest Advice
Don’t just buy the biggest or fastest bike you can afford. Buy the bike that helps your child become a better rider.
A good first bike should make them confident. A good next bike should help them progress. A good performance bike should challenge them without being too much too soon.
That is why we stock bikes from brands like Revvi, Amped, STACYC, RFN, EBOX, Electro & Co and 10Ten — because different riders need different stepping stones.
Need Help Choosing?
If you’re unsure which bike is right, start with your child’s age, height, confidence and previous riding experience.
As an online-only specialist retailer, most of our bikes are held boxed in warehousing for fast UK delivery, but we can still help guide you remotely on sizing and model choice.
Explore our kids electric bike range below and choose by age, size or riding ability.
Shop Recommended Kids Electric Bikes
- Shop All Kids Electric Bikes
- Shop Revvi Electric Bikes
- Shop Amped Electric Bikes
- Shop STACYC Electric Bikes
Shop All Kids Electric Bikes Shop by Age
Related Guides
- Kids Electric Bike Buying Guide
- Best 20” Electric Bike for Kids UK
- Best First Upgrades for a Revvi 12
- Key Upgrades for the Amped A20 Pro
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