US Based Strider Sports Introducing Kids Bikes in India, CEO Talks

How big is the kids' bike market in India? How is it growing?

Ryan: We are very excited to introduce Strider Bikes in the Indian market. Bikes and motorcycles are incredibly important in Indian society, and with approximately 19 million children born in India annually, the potential market for Strider Bikes is huge.

In terms of how the market is growing, I believe Indian families are increasingly health conscious, they want tools to help their children develop healthy habits at a younger age. In the past, kids have spent a couple of years riding a tricycle, then a training-wheel bike for a couple more years, and then finally moving on to pedaling a bike around 6 years old.

There are two problems with this approach. The 4 years spent on tricycles and training wheels don’t develop balance. By age 6, children are spending more time indoors and in front of screens than playing with others. Many are no longer learning to ride bikes. Strider makes products for children as young as six months old, and sees children successfully balancing on two wheels by age two and proficiently pedaling by age 4.

Who are the key players in this field?

Ryan: Strider has led in the development and increased popularity of balance bikes. As the number one global brand that teaches kids to ride, our biggest competition in India isn’t another manufacturer. Instead, it is the outdated idea that tricycles and training wheels help children learn to ride.

How are kids' bike market growing elsewhere globally?

Ryan: Children around the world are starting out on balance bikes, meaning children are biking at an earlier age. With these younger riders starting to cycle, there’s an emphasis placed on bikes that can grow with children. When given the choice between a cheap ride-on-toy and a durable and adjustable bike that a child can use for 3 to 5 years, many families are going with the long-term option.

How important is the Indian market for Strider globally?

Ryan: Incredibly important. Strider Sports International Inc now sells more bikes in Asia than any other continent and there is huge room for growth in a bike-loving nation like India.

Beyond bike sales, Strider events are popular across Asia. Strider Cup races in China and Japan regularly have 500 to 800 children racing. We’re excited to begin welcoming Indian racers to those international events, and, eventually, host international Strider Cup races in India.

How many products do you have at this point in India? How many do you have globally?

Ryan: We are planning to offer our 3 core products in India. The Strider 12 Sport is our original and bestselling bike. Since creating the Strider 12 Sport, Strider’s product lineup has expanded to include products for younger and older children. In India, we will also be offering the 2 in 1 Baby Bundle, a rocking base with a detachable 12 inch Sport balance bike designed for children as young as six months old. Our third core product, the Strider 14x Sport, is a balance bike for children 3 to7 years old. Children can use it through multiple developmental stages because the bike converts from balance to pedal mode with a one-bolt instillation of a pedal conversion kit.

In addition to these core products, we offer 16 and 20-inch bikes designed for adolescents and adults with special needs. Accessories like helmets, pads, and even attachable snow skis are also part of the strider lineup. Even as the company has grown, I still love working with bikes and developing new products.

Are you bringing these bikes in CKD condition or SKD? Do you have any plans to set up some manufacturing/assembly-line facility in India? If so, how soon?

Ryan: These products enter SKD and can be easily assembled by the end customer.

We’re very excited to be entering the Indian market and see tremendous potential for growth. Before we consider manufacturing in India we want to introduce more Indian families to the Strider Brand and increase the demand for the bikes in the country.