Getting a bicycle for Christmas can be one of the best presents a child can get. Unfortunately all too many bikes end up at the back of the shed or garage only to eventually find their way to the recycle centre for scrap.

The main reason is usually that most of the cheaper bikes that are bought are too heavy for a child to cycle, use cheap components that either quickly break down or need regular maintenance and are unsuitable for little hands and feet.

The frames also haven’t been designed to provide a comfortable and efficient riding position for children. Its therefore usually false economy to buy a cheap bike. They won’t be used and some are positively dangerous if the brakes are too difficult for a young child to use effectively.

Fortunately a couple of specialist firms, Islabikes (islabikes.co.uk) and Frog (frogbikes.com) have recently revolutionised the children’s bike market by designing and manufacturing their own frames and components specifically for young children.

Their success has led to some of the bigger manufacturers adding a few child specific models to their ranges. This has widened the choice, but Islabikes and Frog are still the ‘go to’ brands if you want to invest in a decent bike for your child.

The three biggest mistakes parents and grandparents often make are buying a bike that’s too heavy, too large or over complicated.

Buying a bike for under £150 with suspension, lots of gears, gaudy colours, branding and lots of tassles and for a child to ‘grow into’ will almost inevitably mean it won’t be used. Spend £100-£200 more and you’ll have a bike that’s fit for purpose and can be sold on or handed to younger siblings. If you can’t afford to spend that amount, then try to buy a decent bike second-hand.

For more detailed advice the national cycling charity, Cycling UK, provides a useful ‘Buying the right bike for your child’ on its website cyclinguk.org . Cycling Weekly has also produced a useful ‘Best kid’s bikes 2018: tips for choosing a children’s bike’ at cyclingweekly.com.

To check out the options locally, Elgar Cycles (elgarcycles.com) in Barbourne Road are stockists for Frog bikes. Islabikes only sell direct, but have a shop at Bromfield, near Ludlow, where you can test ride their full range.