Bikes bring joy to every childhood. Whether you’re looking for your kid’s first bike, upgrading your teen to a mountain bike, or even shopping for your own, we’ve rounded up the best places to shop. Once you’ve got your bike and helmet, you’re ready to hit the trails. Before your family rides, review our bike safety tips to keep everyone as safe as possible.
Where to Buy a Bike
Local, small businesses are the perfect place to buy a bike. Here, knowledgeable cyclists can measure you and help you find a bike that fits you and your needs. You can trust the bike will be great quality, but it may come with a bigger price tag.
Big box stores are convenient and have lower price tags, but leave less room to try out the bike in store. They also don’t offer personalized assistance or access to bike lovers that can answer all your questions with confidence.
Sporting goods stores are a good middle ground for better selection, average price points, and hit-or-miss customer service. Your best bet is to shop around to find your best fit and deal!
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Academy :: multiple locations :: This sporting goods staple has a great selection of less expensive, beginner bikes.
Bike Mart :: Frisco, McKinney, Prosper, Richardson :: A local, family-owned shop known for quality and customer service. Great bikes, bike accessories, helmets, and a repair shop available. You can ride the bikes outside to try them out.
Cadence Cyclery :: McKinney :: A local, small business with every style of bike for your avid biker. Bike fitting, repairs, clothing, and accessories available.
Dick’s Sporting Goods :: multiple locations :: Find quality bikes at a reasonable price point.
Endur3 Bikes :: Frisco :: Best for biking enthusiasts, this local gem is geared towards triathletes and professionals, offering a perfect fit and high-quality ride.
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REI :: Plano :: This popular outdoors shop offers great quality bikes, classes (including one that teaches kids how to ride a bike), gear, and repairs. Strider balance bikes, Woom bikes, and Co-op cycles are among the most popular brands here. Go for the quality and expert advice.
Scheels :: The Colony :: This large sporting goods store boasts Trek bikes, Strider balance bikes, and other quality bikes, and accessories. Enjoy its indoor ferris wheel while you’re there.
Sun and Ski Sports :: Frisco :: This one-stop shop has every biking accessory or component you could ask for. It carries a large and varied inventory of bikes.
Trek Bicycle :: Allen, Coppell :: If you’re a fan of this brand, consider shopping directly from their store. Benefit from the knowledgeable service and personal assistance.
Target/Walmart :: multiple locations :: Unbeatable prices but select inventory. If your kid has his or her heart set on a bike with a favorite character on it, this is your place. Particularly for a first bike, it’s worth checking out your options — just be ready to upgrade when the time comes.
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If you can’t find the right bike at the right cost, remember you can always browse secondhand. Facebook marketplace, craigslist, and consignment sales have great deals.
Bike Safety
Once you have your bike, it’s time to think about helmets and other methods of keeping you and your family safe on wheels. Review these bike safety tips with your loved ones before you hit the road.
- Wear a properly-fitted helmet. Helmets save lives and prevent head injuries every day. This pdf from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration demonstrates how to make sure the helmet is fitted correctly.
- Model safe behavior. Don’t just make your kids wear helmets, wear one yourself, too! Additionally, demonstrate rules of the road like calling out “passing on left” when riding past pedestrians.
- Be bright. Bike during daylight hours, and make sure bikes have reflectors on their front and back. Put your kids in neon or other bright-colored clothing.
- Teach the rules of the road. Review sticking to the right side of the road to follow the flow of traffic, and teach hand signals. When crossing a road, teach your kids to make eye contact with drivers to ensure they’ve been seen.
- Assess your bike. Check tires for inflation, brakes, chains, and gears. Make sure the handlebars and seat are steady, not loose. Tighten and adjust for a good fit as kids grow.
Biking is a wonderful pastime for the whole family, and a primary mode of transportation for many. Now that you know where to buy a bike and how to bike safely, be safe, have fun, and enjoy exploring the many wonderful local trails we have in North Texas.
