Kids On Bikes is a collaborative storytelling RPG where you play young characters solving mysteries in your small town.

Core Mechanics

Using Dice

Different dice represent different stats:

  • d4 – Weakest stat
  • d6 – Below average stat
  • d8 – Average stat
  • d10 – Above average stat
  • d12 – Best stat
  • d20 – Expert stat (very rare)

Making Checks

When attempting something risky or uncertain:

  1. GM sets a target number (usually 7-15)
  2. Roll your relevant stat die
  3. Compare result to target:
    • Meet or exceed: Success!
    • Below target: Failure or complication

Adversity Tokens

When things go wrong, you gain Adversity Tokens:

  • Spend 1 token: Add +1 to any roll
  • GM can trigger tokens: Create complications for narrative effect
  • Tokens represent stress, fear, and mounting danger

The Four Actions

Investigate

Use your brain to search for clues, solve puzzles, or figure things out.

  • Roll Brains to research, deduce, or analyze

Persuade

Talk to people, negotiate, or manipulate social situations.

  • Roll Charm to befriend, deceive, or smooth talk

Move

Physical actions like running, climbing, sneaking, or dodging.

  • Roll Fight or Flight depending on approach

Overcome

Deal with obstacles, whether physical, mental, or supernatural.

  • Roll appropriate stat based on the challenge

Collaborative Storytelling

  • Everyone contributes: Players can describe results, add details, and suggest ideas
  • GM guides: The GM sets scenes, plays NPCs, and adjudicates rules
  • Failure is interesting: Failed rolls don’t stop the story—they complicate it

Full Rules: Kids On Bikes RPG