2023 promises to be the year of the step-through bike. In a time when nearly everyone is looking for a way to get more exercise, burn less fossil fuel, save the planet, save money, and get outside more, a reliable bike is high on the list of solutions. People are looking for the ease of a cruiser bike with a low-slung frame, which makes it possible for everyone from growing teenagers, busy Millenials, and harried Gen-x-ers to active grandmas and grandpas (and everyone in between) to discover or rediscover the freedom and sheer joy of bike riding. Of course, there are a lot of different step through bikes on the market these days, and more are coming to market in the future as demand climbs for simpler ways to get around. But buyers are looking for more than just simplicity. They want cool styling, practical functionality, safe stability, and day-to-day reliability in their bike choices. Every person has different riding needs and desires, so it's important to look for a bike that fits those needs. We've gone through many lists of bikes, tested them and landed on a set of bikes that can fit people with a variety of needs. 

The Top Step Thru Bikes for Adults

But because there are so many new bikes for adults coming to market, the busy adult is going to have a hard time choosing the right one for their needs. That’s why we judged the bikes on our list based on several criteria, including durability, materials, features, and style to name a few. 

First of all, we are only looking at bikes with step-thru frames. A low step-thru frame will make it easy to ride for the vast majority of riders at all experience levels. Frames also needed to be built of durable, rust-resistant materials that would run through a daily gauntlet of riding. So, the bikes on this list are built to be used on a daily basis, not just on the weekends or holidays. A good step-thru bike will take you on a long ride in the country on the weekend just as well as it will get you to and from work or shopping in town Monday through Friday. 

For this level of flexibility, we also needed to look at the gears. Typical one-gear bikes aren’t the answer for someone who wants to significantly ramp up their daily bike usage over varied terrain and hills. Having three to seven gears to choose from makes it easier to switch speeds and traction levels. 

Braking is also important, of course. If you’re an adult who remembers the old pedal-backward-to-stop braking system of their old bikes from the 70s and 80s, welcome to the world of flipping the brakes on with your thumbs from the handlebars. It’s easier, more reliable, and more responsive to quick braking situations. At the same time, the bikes that made the list also have a low center of gravity so that quick braking is safer and there is less chance of flipping over when you need to stop quickly. 

Of course, step thru bikes are not really “performance” or “mountain” style bikes built for specific activities like racing and jumping with hard landings. These are every day, get-the-job-done-and-look-fabulous-while-doing-it bikes. These are the bikes we need more of, and these are the bikes we love: 

4. Best Step Thru Bike for Drizzly Coast Weather: Priority Coast

For those of you who really plan on riding a bike regardless of weather conditions, a fully-pedal-powered, yet great step-thru option is the Priority Coast from Priority Bicycles. It’s not electric, so you’ll have to be comfortable with 100% pedal power, yet it’s also a very easy bike to get on and off of with its low-slung frame and ultra-light aluminum frame. They designed this bike with sealed bearings that keep out the dampness. In fact, it was especially built with coastal cruising in mind. So, from Seaside, Oregon to Nantucket, Massachusetts, this easy-to-maintain adult cruiser bike will get you around your rainy, damp, coastal environment without a hitch. Instead of a bike chain, which can be particularly tricky in coastal environments, they have a belt that requires very little maintenance. In fact, a lot of coastal inns like to have these on hand for guests to ride around on. 

Honorable Mentions in Step Thru Bikes 

There are a lot of great low-slung step-through bikes out there, some of them are electric, and many of them are peal-power only. Generally speaking, the motorized bikes will cost more, but also provide you more options if you plan to use your step-through bike as a daily ride. If you’re an experienced rider who doesn’t mind a daily pedal, there are some other options you can consider too: 

Best Reminder of Your Childhood Bike: Tuesday: June 1 LS

The Tuesday: June 1 LS (LS = Low Step) has a single gear speed option, but can also come in a 7-speed model. It’s a totally simple, yet also sturdily-built, rust-resistant low-slung bike that has great springs that cushion a bumpy ride. It’s considered a “beach cruiser” bike, so it’s been built with that in mind, so you can just hop on and get pedaling. While it has no motor, it is incredibly simple, so if you don’t want to be bothered by remembering when to plug in for a recharge, this is a great step-thru option you can consider. Also, if you feel more comfortable using the traditional kick-back brakes of your childhood, this bike has you covered there as well. Just pedal backward and the bike stops. 

Most Color Options: Chatham Beach Cruiser Bike - Step Through Single Speed

If you’re looking for simplicity in function, but really want to choose from a host of fabulous colors, this is the bike to look at. It’s another simple, non-motorized step-through bike that is very popular and also customizable. You can accessorize with your choice of colors, baskets, seating options and more. It’s best on flat pavement, so it’s not the bike for trail riding, but it’s great for cruising around town looking awesome. It’s got one speed, back-pedal coaster brakes (classic) and wide tires that cushion any bumps in the pavement. 

Which Step-Thru Bike is Best for Beginners? 

For people who haven’t ridden in a long while, or for people who have never ridden and are just learning, the EVRYjourney and Around the Block options are probably best. Not only do they have excellent ergonomics so that you can maintain a comfortable riding position, but their low center of gravity makes it easy to stop and start without tipping over while you’re learning to balance. They have a host of features you can customize and once you get comfortable with balancing and confident riding, you can practice using the motor to go for longer rides. They both have great options for adding carrying capacity and are built for daily utility riding while looking fantastic at the same time. 

How Do I Choose the Best Step-Through Bike for Me? 

Fit is everything in choosing any bike. But fit isn’t just about your size, it’s also about choosing the right bike for your riding style, your needs and where you live. You’ll also want to pick a bike that gives you some carrying capacity if you’re going to ride every day and pick up groceries, tote school supplies, etc. Consider the terrain you’ll be riding in and how often you’ll be riding. Choosing the right bike to fit your body is also very important, and the bike must be adjustable so that you can get a comfortable, ergonomic, yet powerful pedal when you want to without a lot of extra effort. If you’re considering a bike, click on the “FIT” panel to the right on this page and punch in your information. This will bring up some great options that fit your body type and riding needs. 

Trusting Sixthreezero for Your Bike Needs

Sixthreezero is passionate about getting people on bikes on a regular basis. We want to reduce carbon emissions and keep people healthy, but we also want people to have a lot of fun! Our ergonomic and utility bike designs that make getting on and off easy and fun give you options that fit you and your lifestyle and riding needs. Reach out to us by emailing theteam@sixthreezero with any questions you have and we can help you find the right step through bike for the road ahead.