Tricycles, Bicycles

A tricycle with a parent push handle sits between a pushchair and a first bike. It suits children from around 1 year, once they sit confidently but cannot yet pedal.

At first the parent pushes by the handle and the child simply rides along. Later the canopy comes off, the footrests fold away and the child starts pedalling. In practice such a tricycle is used for 2–3 years.

Worth looking for: freewheel pedals (so the child's legs are not spun round while a parent pushes), a swivel seat, rubber or EVA wheels (quieter than plastic) and a safety harness.

For children over 2 there is an alternative — a balance bike. It develops balance better, and the move to a normal bicycle is easier afterwards.