For many parents, the idea of buying an electric bike for their kid might initially seem unnecessary. After all, didn’t we all grow up pedaling regular bikes without a motor?

But the more you look at today’s generation of young riders – and the role that e-bikes can play in getting them outside – the more compelling the argument becomes. Huffy is betting on exactly that with its Quantis Kids eBike, a 24-inch electric bicycle designed for riders aged 12 and up.

Priced at $899.99, the Quantis isn’t trying to be a miniature electric dirt bike. Instead, it’s built around the familiar experience of riding a bicycle, just with a bit of electric assistance to make longer rides and steeper hills less intimidating.

The bike uses a lightweight aluminum hardtail frame paired with 24-inch by 3-inch knobby tires for extra stability and grip on everything from neighborhood streets to dirt paths. Power comes from a 250W rear hub motor fed by a 36V 7.8 Ah battery, providing pedal assistance or throttle power up to 15 mph. That’s notably slower than the typical 20 mph Class 2 e-bike limit, keeping performance well within beginner-friendly territory.

Other features include mechanical disc brakes, a Shimano six-speed drivetrain, a removable lockable battery, an LCD display showing speed, battery level and assist mode, and three levels of pedal assist.

Yes, it’s easy to say, “Kids should just pedal.” Many already do, and there’s certainly value in that. But one of the biggest barriers to riding is that cycling can simply feel hard, especially in hilly neighborhoods or on longer rides with friends.

A little electric assistance changes that equation. Hills become manageable instead of discouraging. Longer rides become realistic. Kids who might otherwise choose to stay indoors with a phone, tablet, or gaming console suddenly have a reason to spend an afternoon exploring the neighborhood or local bike trails instead.

Perhaps most importantly, they’re still able to pedal, which is something that should be encouraged. Studies have consistently shown that pedaling e-bikes continues to provide sufficient exercise. Plus, getting teens away from screens and helping them develop bike-handling skills also has the benefit of offering the independence that bicycles have provided generations of young riders. In this case, the motor simply lowers the barrier to getting out the door in the first place.

If that’s what it takes to swap an afternoon of screen time for an afternoon outside, it’s hard to argue that’s a bad trade.