Parents' Guide to

Smart Cycle

By Jinny Gudmundsen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

A video gaming system that works by bike-riding.

Game Plug-and-play TV games 2007
Smart Cycle Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

Community Reviews

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age 4+

Based on 2 parent reviews

tstrecker
tstrecker Parent of 3-year-old
October 12, 2018
age 4+

love it for me and my kids

We purchased in 2018 so I don't know if this has been updated since last review but we love it. We purchased for our 4 year olds bday and we have a 6 and 8 yo that can use it too though the 8 yo is a tiny 8 and just fits. Placed next to the treadmill the little one peddles while I walk then I am able to guide through the games while I exercise. It only works with a newer model iPad so that may have been the issues the people were having with the older models. iPad 2 and further along. Android devices I think it's meant to but we don't have them so I can't comment. We also only use the fisher price app and not the cartoon character branded ones so I am not sure on the content of those but the fisher price one is great education and exercise combined obviously used in moderation but I can only go so long on the treadmill :)
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What’s It About?

SMART CYCLE aims to get kids moving by having them pedal a stationary bike as part of a video gaming experience. The pint-sized bike, which plugs into the A/V jacks of a television, has an adjustable seat and is just the right size for most children ages 3-6. The gaming system inside the bike runs on 4 D batteries; the software is housed in a key-shaped game cartridge that plugs into the side of the bike. The image on the screen looks like what you would see if you were riding down a road, and it moves forward and backward corresponding to your pedaling.

While pedaling to your first game, you're asked to collect letters, numbers, or shapes by steering toward them and running them over. Games include finding letters in a barn, helping a frog to flick out his tongue to collect letter bugs, and matching shapes underwater by popping bubbles. There's also a race that requires you to pedal as fast as you can to cross the finish line. Of seven activities, only two require you to pedal -- the rest use the joystick.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (2):
Kids say: Not yet rated

While all these activities are fun and age-appropriate, kids would benefit from more pedaling as they play. Parents need to know that it takes 30 to 45 minutes to assemble the bike, and it uses up batteries fairly quickly. Also, while the educational games offer levels, the games don't save your work so kids must start at level one every time they play.

Parents can breathe new life into this system by buying additional game cartridges for $20 each. For ages 3-5, the choices are Discover the Dinosaurs, Dora the Explorer Friendship Adventure, and Diego's Animal Rescue. For ages 4-6, the selection includes SpongeBob SquarePants Ocean Adventure, Barbie Fairytopia, and Hot Wheels.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how important it is to exercise. Do you like biking outside better than biking on a stationary bike? Which activity did you like best? The racing one? Or one of the other activities?

Game Details

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