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We've put together this list of 40—that's right, forty—bicycle terms that will make you the most knowledgeable mom or dad on the block. Our goal is to give you a topline understanding of a bike's anatomy so that you can talk the talk as you're walking the walk up and down the department store bike aisle.

We've compiled a short list of scooter-acceptable helmet styles that will make people say "Hey, there goes a good-looking, responsible commuter" rather than "Hey, there goes a giant 10-year-old." If Steve McQueen were still around today, this would be his consideration set.

Are you a smartphone-enabled city slicker 18+ years old with a valid driver's license and credit card? Then congratulations, you're only one electronically-propelled step away from an unscheduled visit to the emergency room! Let's run through the most important things you need to know about staying smart on scooters.

Short for "bicycle motocross," BMX was born in the late 60s and early 70s as an offshoot of motocross motorcycles. Like their gas-powered cousins, BMX bikes were designed for racing, jumping, and tearing around on dirt. We lay out the different kinds of BMX bikes, and what to look for in a bike for your kid.

Road bikes are pretty specific to purpose and are usually lighter and faster than their all-terrain counterparts. This helps with the endurance required for long-distance riding, which means different things to kids of different age, experience, and fitness levels. We break it all down for you.

One of the most common kinds of beginner multi-speed bikes you'll see used by other kids in the neighborhood are mountain bikes. That's because MTBs are one of the more versatile styles for any age. We go into detail on everything you need to know about these bikes and the gear necessary to keep them safe.

While there are several types of brakes out there, two of the most common are rim and disc hand brakes. We'll peel off the main differences between the two and then tie them back to what you care about most, your kids, so that you can make an informed decision between the two.

Quite frankly, the debate over this one doesn't appear to be ending anytime soon. But, when it comes down to it, the overwhelming majority of children will end up using hand brakes over the long haul for one reason or another.

The quality of a child's bike can be measured in large part by its brakes. Considering that the most important thing a young rider can learn is how to stop, it pays to get this right. We'll smarten you up on the overall options so that you can make a sound decision about what's best for your budding bicyclist.