If you've got a young Cycle Sprog who just loves riding their bike, then finding them picture books that feature cycling and bikes is a really good way to get them enthusiastic about reading.

These books also celebrate the joy of cycling, and will hopefully inspire a generation of children to spend more time on two wheels rather than four.

Some of the books also tackle the fears and frustrations children experience when moving onto pedals for the first time.

In this post we take a look at some of the best children's picture books that feature loads of cycling.

They're mainly aimed at younger children, but some can be enjoyed by older children and adults too.

Cycle City by Alison Farrell

If you're looking for a book that features virtually every type of pedal propelled cycle from cargo bikes to penny farthings, adapted cycles to starter bikes, then look no further!

Alison Farrell's book stars Etta the Elephant who visits her Aunt Ellen's house in the bicycle-filled Cycle City on the night of a special parade.

Alison herself lives in Portland Oregon, which we've visited so I can vouch that it's a cycling paradise compared to most of the UK!

Cycle City has also been published in Dutch, so that's an indication of just how good it must be.

A must-have book for all cycling families!

Shred Til Bed - The MTB Animal Alphabet by Shotgun

We're very excited that this limited edition picture book aimed at young Cycle Sprogs is now available.

Full of fantastic illustrations & biking terminology, it's a brilliant way for young bikers to learn the lingo whilst also learning their ABCs!

Produced by Shotgun, we love this book. It does have a limited print run though, so click below to order your Cycle Sprog a copy.

Mrs Armitage on Wheels by Quentin Blake

A classic book about cycling by one of the world's best known illustrators.  Mrs Armitage is rather like my husband (and many other cyclists too). She can't just ride a bike - she has to be constantly upgrading it.

I guess I shouldn't complain however, because by the time she's finished Mrs Armitage has added three very loud horns, a bucket of water to wash her hands, a complete tool kit, a seat for her dog Breakspear, two umbrellas, a cassette player and a mouth-organ,plus a mast and sail!

Age wise this book is great for Reception and KS1 children.

Giraffe on a Bicycle by Julia Woolf

A good book for children learning how to ride a pedal bike.

Monkey has found a bicycle and giraffe thinks it looks easy, but soon finds out it takes a bit more skill, especially when all your friends also want to come along for a ride - including a tiger, more monkeys and a flapping flamingo!

Monkey and Giraffe could be in for a very bumpy ride!

My Bike Board Book by Byron Barton

"My Bike Board Book by Byron Barton" makes a good tongue twister! It's also a brilliant little board book for toddlers that covers different aspects of cycling, including the different parts of a bicycle.

However, what I like best about this book is that it shows how you can quickly cycle past long lines of traffic when you're on two wheels and there's appropriate cycling infrastructure in place!

The perfect gift for the offspring of any cycle campaigners, transport planners or politicians you may know.....

This being a book aimed at very young children there's also some jungle animals thrown in for good luck.

Be aware that this book uses American rather than British terminology, so you'll encounter a fender rather than a mudguard.

Get On Your Bike by Joukje Akveld

Joukje Akveld is a Dutch writer and this book has been recently translated into English.

It's a vibrantly illustrated book that will capture the eye of a young child, but has a tale about conflict resolution that will resonate with older readers.

It tackles the story of friends Bobby and William who end up having an argument that escalates out of control until William tells Bobby to leave.  Bobby heads off on his bike, discovering that cycling can be a brilliant way to calm your emotions.

It's an important topic to discuss at a time when more and more children are suffering from stress and mental health issues and need to learn ways to take care of their emotional health.

tiny, the cycling fox

"Tiny, the cycling fox" is a sweet picture book for 2-7 year olds about a fox who lives on an island and loves to cycle.

One day, Tiny can't find his bike. All the islanders help him look and soon he's reunited with his beloved, bright red bicycle.

By the end of the story, Tiny is not the only cycling fox...

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Duck on a Bike by David Shannon

Duck goes cycling round the farmyard on a bike (which you could technically say he's stolen from the farmers son, but we'll overlook that point!)

He says "hello" to all the other animals, who all respond about his riding style.

Some are complementary, others not so.

Duck on a Bike is available in audio book format as well as paperback.

Miffy's bicycle by Dick Bruna

Miffy is only a little rabbit now, but has always dreamt about the adventures she'll have on her bike when she grows up into a bigger rabbit.

Get your little one planning their big family cycling adventure from a very early age and eager to get on their very first bike!

An inspirational, award-winning read for your own cycle inspired Sprog!

The Mr Men Go Cycling by Adam Hargreaves

This book really should be titled The Mr Men Go Endurance Cycle Racing.  I refer you to the first two sentences:  "Every year all the Mr Men and Little Miss take part in a bicycle race called the Grand Tour. It is a very long race through many countries." 

There's very few cycle races where men and women start together and race as equals, although there's a growing realisation that women are as good, if not better, than men at endurance racing and can race together on equal terms.

I'm thinking it may be based on the Transcontinental race across Europe - other contenders such as the Great Divide and the Highland 550 just don't go through enough countries!

This book features the Mr Men and Little Misses riding all sorts of bikes, from unicycles to adapted bikes, so it's another great showcase for the many different ways there are to cycle.

Bear on a Bike

There's confusingly, two books called Bear on a Bike.  The 2006 version is by Stella Blackstone and is a good choice if you transport your child by a rear bike seat, as it features bear going to the market with a rear seat.

There is limited other cycling, because Bear then opts to travel round the world by a variety of other modes of transport, including rafts, trains, boats and hot air balloons.  A great way to explain to your child that there's more than one way to travel around.

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The newer Bear on a Bike was published in 2016 and is written and illustrated by Hannah Shaw.  Again, this involves many forms of transport as Bear tries to deliver a present to Mouse.

Bear takes whatever means of transport he can find including a bike, a lorry, a bus, a trolley - with lots of scrapes and japes along the way.

Both books are simple text with illustrations - the newer book is more funny than the earlier one, as the present gets increasingly battered along the way.

Bike On, Bear! by Cynthea Liu

A slightly different bear based bike book (try saying that quickly!) is Bike On, Bear! which has loads of cycling in it.

Bear is good at most things, but he can't ride a bike.

This beautifully illustrated book follows his attempts to learn to pedal - a lovely tale for any Sprog who is nervous about learning to ride their own bike.

Ted's Bike Ride by Tom Hart

If you want another picture book featuring a cycling bear, then Ted's Bike Ride is a rhyming picture book that introduces young children to the concept of phonics.

Ted's Bike Ride tells the story of an aptly named teddy bear called Ted who travels along on his bike meeting a range of animals as he goes.

Ted takes the time to learn the noises of the animals that he meets so expect to find yourself Mooing and Woofing and Oinking out loud with your children!

Ideal for toddlers and above, a really fun bedtime read! Teds Bike Ride helps children learning to read and includes bright pictures within the story which totally brings the script to life!

Franklin Rides a Bike by Paulette Bourgeois

Another tale about an animal learning to pedal, Franklin Rides a Bike is about a turtle who is nervous about removing his stabilisers and watches as all his friends start pedalling unaided.

He can't understand why it's so easy for his friends, yet he is finding it so difficult.

A good choice if your child has been using stabilisers rather than a balance bike and wants to take the next step to pedalling.

Definitely a picture book your child could relate to and realise that removing stabilisers isn't smooth sailing for everyone!

Ready to Ride by Sébastien Pelon

Another "ditch the stabilisers" tale, this beautifully illustrated book actually features a boy rather than an animal riding the bike.

It also showcases free-range parenting, as the boy is let out of his house and told to go and play but "not go to far".

Thankfully he meets an imaginary friend who helps him learn to pedal.

The Bike Lesson by Stan and Jan Berenstain

This book comes recommended by regular Cycle Sprog blogger Emma, who tells us that her two boys have really enjoyed this book.

The Bike Lesson is a great story for new readers as it uses rhyme and pictures to tell the story of Father Bear attempting to teach Small Bear how to ride a bike.

You can probably guess who is more in need of some cycling lessons.....

Peppa Pig: Peppa's Big Race

Another recommendation from Emma's sons is a fabulous book for Peppa Pig fans and cycling families alike.

If you've ever set off on a family bike ride with an over eager Sprog, you'll appreciate this story.

Plus it features a tandem fitted with a rear bike seat - a great way for a family to travel around, whether porcine or human.

The Dinosaur Who Couldn't Ride a Bike by Sarah Campbell

A funny and chunky picture book about a very short-armed Tyrannosaurus Rex who finds it difficult to ride a bike because he can't reach the handlebars!

Written in verse, this book is bound to raise a laugh.

Mice Riders and Rouge Rats by Nancy Chambers

Nancy Chambers is a mum of two from Scotland who has started to write stories for her young family.

This is her second book and features mountain biking mice who enjoy riding their local trails.

They have fun and learn about each other through their adventures, until the scary Rogue Rats turn up in their woods. What will they do????

Christopher's Bicycle by Charlotte Middleton

Christopher Nibble loves his recycled bicycle!

Mr Nibble has repaired and repainted it all so beautifully and Mrs Nibble has turned one of her old dresses into some very useful saddlebags. It really looks a treat.

Now Christopher is the greenest guinea pig in Dandeville.

He's ready to rescue the town's rubbish, turning old into new, in this story full of pedal power!

Other posts you should read whilst you're here:

• The best balance bikes as recommended by parents
• The best bike for a 1 year old
• The best 14" starter bikes for children aged 3 and 4 years
• The best 16" wheel bikes for 4 and 5 year olds
• How to start cycling with a small child in a bike seat, cargo bike or trailer
• Sir Chris Hoy to the rescue for World Book Day!
• The best new children's books about cycling - 2018
• 2016 has been a great year for kids cycling books
• Final Flying Fergus children's book published
• The best kids bikes