At some point, as you watch your toddler race around the house or patio on his foot-propelled riding toy, it will occur to you that he is ready for something more challenging. It’s time to select a tricycle for you child. Besides being fun, a tricycle (or trike) promotes large muscle coordination and gives your child lots of exercise.
There are two basic types of tricycles on the market today. The first type provides a transition from riding toys that are propelled by contact of the child’s feet with the ground. Typically, these first trikes sit low to the ground for easy scooting without pedaling, but also have pedals. Sometimes the pedals come with blocks or extensions to allow the trike to grow with the child. Finally, many of these transition trikes have steering bars that allow an adult or older child to steer the tricycle from behind. The steering bar helps a toddler learn to steer, lets an adult propel the trike when the child is fatigued, and helps the adult to keep the trike on a safe path away from driveways, streets, and other hazards.
Conventional tricycles are three wheelers that are propelled by pedaling and are steered with the handlebars. Selecting the right size tricycle is very important so that your child has complete control. In addition, the tricycle should have a low center of gravity so that it does not tip easily when the child turns sharply or rides down a slope.
To select the right size tricycle for your child, place the child on the seat. Ask the child to place his or her feet on the pedals. The child’s foot should reach the pedals without much stretching. It is acceptable if the child has to stretch a bit, because children grow quickly. However, the child’s foot should remain in contact with the pedals as they rotate. Blocks or extenders are sometimes used to help the child touch the pedals. However, their use can be awkward. It is better to select the right size trike for your child so that extenders are not required.
In addition to considering a low center of gravity to avoid tipping accidents, a child should become accustomed to using safety equipment from the very beginning. In many states, bicycle helmets are now required for two-wheeled bicycles. Buy a safety helmet when you buy a child’s first tricycle. Not only will you protect your child from serious head injuries, you will build habits that will follow the child throughout the ownership of his or her first bicycle. Also, consider adding wrist, elbow and knee pads to protect tender joints from scrapes and bruises and to protect bone tips from serious fractures. Here’s a quick checklist for tricycle safety:
* Keep away from cars
* Don’t ride in streets or down steep inclines and steps
* Stay away from swimming pools and other bodies of water
* Wear protective equipment such as helmets, wrist guards, knee pads and elbow pads
* Always wear shoes
* Never allow more than one rider
* Never ride at night
Finally, choose an area where your child can ride a tricycle safely. Young children should always be accompanied by an adult when riding outside of their own yards. Do you have long stretches of sidewalk in your neighborhood where your child can ride? If so, note if there are driveways at frequent intervals along the way; driveways present a particular hazard, because drivers backing out of their driveways may not have a clear view of a small child behind them. Make sure you stay close to your child and that the drivers see you. If you live in an area without sidewalks or with traffic hazards, find a park with long stretches of paved walks away from traffic areas.
Finally, you can add accessories to the tricycle for fun or convenience. Preschoolers love bells or horns attached to the handlebars. Baskets and saddlebags are also available, and they allow children to take along dolls, stuffed toys, snacks, and other treasured items.
