Spokes for Little Folks

Grinding your gears over finding the perfect fit or frame for your bike-riding tyke? Stop the spring madness and pop into one of Toronto’s top spots for wheelies.

If you’re in the Annex (or the West End), glide over to Sweet Pete’s which carries top-of-the-line child carriers, trikes, runners and bigger kids’ bikes 16” and up. They’ll also order higher-end bikes they don’t carry in-stock (brands like Gary Fischer) and they have an in-house repair shop to overhaul existing bikes. If you’re willing to invest in the best for your school-age cycling enthusiasts, Sweet Pete’s is a sweet ride. 

High Park peddlers or their parental pushers flock to West Side Cycle, located just east of the park on Roncesvalles, which caters to kids as well as any city and/or recreational cyclist. West Side carries a healthy selection of junior bikes and equipment and they’re seriously focused on teaching kids about road safety and safe cycling.

Sports Swap on Bayview (look for their new location which is a couple blocks north of their former spot at Millwood) sells both new and used bikes at this midtown shop. The selection of used kids bikes is varied in size and wear, but the store will only accept well-built, good-quality bikes made by reputable manufacturers for re-sale (cheap quality bikes made of overseas plastic parts won’t be re-sold here). They’ll tune up and clean up the ‘gently used’ bike after purchase, giving it a new look, even if it isn’t a new ride.

With their Ten Commandments of Customer Service posted on their website, you know you won’t get the brush off at Cyclepath. The Danforth location (one of three locations in the city) is a favourite for east-enders, due in part to their large selection of new bikes and bike accessories for babies, toddlers, pre-teens and up.

Once you’ve set the kids up with a new, or previously enjoyed ride, it’s probably time for a refresh of your own wheels. The Bike Joint on Harbord will expertly repair your rims (and anything else) in time for some spring cycling with the whole family.

We can only send you to the right places to get your gear, and direct you on where to ride. It’s up to you to get your feet on the pedals and be the engine now.

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