Children

B'kid is a wooden bike that grows with your child

B'kid is a wooden bike that grows with your child
B'kid is designed in such a way that it is adaptable to the needs of a growing child, with an adjustable frame, and removable components
B'kid is designed in such a way that it is adaptable to the needs of a growing child, with an adjustable frame, and removable components
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B'kid is designed in such a way that it is adaptable to the needs of a growing child, with an adjustable frame, and removable components
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B'kid is designed in such a way that it is adaptable to the needs of a growing child, with an adjustable frame, and removable components
The simple addition of a strap allows parents to either carry or pull B'kid along
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The simple addition of a strap allows parents to either carry or pull B'kid along
With a frame forged from wood, and a seat and handlebars crafted from cork, B'kid is constructed from mostly natural materials
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With a frame forged from wood, and a seat and handlebars crafted from cork, B'kid is constructed from mostly natural materials
B'kid comes in a range of different colors
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B'kid comes in a range of different colors
The conversion process explained: from trike, to balance bike, to pedal bike in three easy steps
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The conversion process explained: from trike, to balance bike, to pedal bike in three easy steps
B'kid could be a young child's constant companion between the ages of two- and six-years-old
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B'kid could be a young child's constant companion between the ages of two- and six-years-old
Losing the second back wheel turns B'kid from a trike into a balance bike, while adding pedals changes it from a balance bike into a traditional bike
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Losing the second back wheel turns B'kid from a trike into a balance bike, while adding pedals changes it from a balance bike into a traditional bike
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The rate at which children grow, especially from being new-born to the age of around six-years-old, is scary. One day they're a helpless ball of flesh and bones, the next they're walking, talking, and starting school. This means that new parents have to continually buy new things for their child that may only last them a matter of months. While a bicycle may not be top of the agenda at such a young age, for a child to learn to ride means buying several different models over the course of just a few years as they first learn, and then master, the art. Which is what led Noelia Vallano Alvaro to design B'kid: one bike designed to last a child from the age of two right through to the age of six.

Currently just a concept, B'kid is essentially three bikes in one – a trike, a balance bike, and a pedal bike. Much like the Grow line of bikes previously featured on Gizmag, B'kid is designed to adapt to the needs of a child as he or she grows.

It starts out as a trike, with two wheels at the back and the handlebars and seat set low down to accommodate a toddler. Once the child is ready to lose the training wheel, it is removed, and the seat and handlebars are adjusted to better suit the child's growing frame. Once the child is ready to revert from scooting along with his or her feet, pedals are added, and the seat and handlebars are once again adjusted upwards.

The conversion process explained: from trike, to balance bike, to pedal bike in three easy steps
The conversion process explained: from trike, to balance bike, to pedal bike in three easy steps

Over the course of four years (or more, or less, depending on the child) B'kid will have gone through three different form factors. To help personalize the bike and to keep the child interested, B'kid comes in a range of different colors. And to aid the parents it also comes with a strap designed to be used for carrying or pulling the bike along.

Alvaro states that B'kid offers, "a fun and healthy, systematic and safe approach to teaching young children to ride, giving them the confidence and balance necessary for a smooth transition to pedals without stabilizers." B'kid is built from mostly natural materials, with the frame and wheels made from birch wood, and the seat and handlebars crafted from cork.

With a frame forged from wood, and a seat and handlebars crafted from cork, B'kid is constructed from mostly natural materials
With a frame forged from wood, and a seat and handlebars crafted from cork, B'kid is constructed from mostly natural materials

B'kid isn't currently commercially available, but the designer is currently seeking a company to bring it to market.

Source: NVA Design via Treehugger

View gallery - 7 images
8 comments
8 comments
Daniel Lafontaine
Got to try Ikea... They might be interested if they're at all intelligent...
Brendan Dunphy
I saw something similar in a Dutch bike shop though it may have only been from 2 to 4 and not 6.
jerryd
I really like wood this way but the problem is most bikes get stolen within a yr so a far better idea is just buy used ones at yard sales for $5 I see all the time every yr or 2.
rgorman
My grandson got one of these. They are unrideable. He now rides a conventional bike and a scooter.
Sambath Pech
Too bad it'll probably break after only 2 weeks of use.
David Michaud
What might really sell the concept would be photos of kids actually using the bike in different stages. Something like this is ONLY a good idea if it works, and without demonstrating that it's actually ridable it's just a bunch of plywood and wheels.
Bruce Williams
The first thing I thought of was making them for the grandkids. I doubt if it would break since a good maple plywood is very strong. I would also market it as a kit with pre-cut parts and hardware or as a set of plans and hardware. That would greatly increase the customer base to include DYI's like myself and, I would guess, many of you.
alien678
I bought something very similar back in 2002... it has been a wonderful tool for teaching my three grandsons balance... extremely lithe and versatile... can be maneuvered in a decent sized apartment year round... 5 stars in my book