My wife initially bought 3 starter bicycles in the mall. They were terrible. Overpriced junk. They had caliper type brakes that were unsuited for children because it requires adult strength to brake. Thus my children were biking effectively with no brakes!
Within the garden, all 3 kids learned how to ride and balance bikes. But then I just had to buy each and every one a new bike for safety. Real bikes. I got 2 mountain bikes for the 2 older boys. And 1 BMX bike for our young girl. Cheap and safe. Made sure they had V-Type brakes that work really well.
Now I think I need to get a bike for myself so I can join their wheels club with their aunt and cousins biking around in the village.