Tricycles for Kids

Even if you or your kids have left your wheels in the garage for months, air tends to seep

out slowly, anyway. Therefore, as a bike-safety best practice, just like a car it’s certainly never a

bad idea to check your tires before each ride. If you overinflate, you run the risk of blowing the tube either while pumping or while

riding due to sudden or constant impact. If underinflated, the low pressure could cause pinch flats.

This trike lacks a restraint system and sunshade for small kids, and it’s not as easy to ride as our pick, but it usually costs less. The Schwinn Meridian is making its mark in the bike industry as a perfect alternative for adult riders who want to lose weight or need some extra stability provided by a tricycle. Both versions of the bike are schwinn mountain bike sturdy enough to hold the weight of most adults. You might think that tricycles are just for kids who haven’t learned to ride a bike. But the Schwinn Meridian Tricycle for adults is an excellent alternative to a bicycle for your commute or weight loss. The classic shape of this tricycle is super stable for your still-toddling little one.

Personally, I’m a science writer with more than a decade of experience interviewing experts in countless fields, including health, parenting, and child development. I’m also the mom of two small guys who were 1½ and 3½ when I was initially reporting and testing for this guide. I’ve pushed, pulled, rolled, and cajoled kids on tricycles for countless after-dinner strolls and park dashes over the past three years.

We approached this guide with families in mind, focusing on tricycles that we think will get the most use over the longest time frame. Grow-with-me trikes that evolve with a child through several developmental stages obviously fit this bill well. We also looked at traditional three-wheelers, which are fun to use and help kids practice physical skills like pedaling and steering—skills that come in handy when transitioning to a bicycle. Just about every kid will eventually learn to ride a tricycle, and have fun riding. But many modern tricycles also serve as a tool to transport toddlers too young to ride independently around the neighborhood—to the park, a friend’s house, or a local restaurant. These trikes come with a push bar and often a sunshade and security straps and/or belt as well.

It’s also easier to steer than other push trikes we tested, including the Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll ‘N Trike, a clearly inferior model that’s similar to the Joovy (and easily mistaken for the Deluxe Steer & Stroll). With a wide rear wheel position, the Meridian tricycle provides more stability than a bicycle so riders of all experience levels can get around easily. The low standover aluminum frame makes it easy to get on and off, while the extra-large seat and ergonomic grips offer superior comfort on every ride. The low standover aluminum frame makes it easy to get on and off, while the extra-large seat offers superior comfort on every ride. For bigger kids, the Schwinn Roadster 12-inch Trike is a shiny, gorgeous tricycle that’s fast and fun to ride. It’s low to the ground, with more of a Big Wheel style than you typically see in a metal trike.

The bike is rated to 50 pounds, 6 pounds more than the Joovy (many kids don’t hit 50 pounds until they’re 7 or 8 years old). I spent seven hours researching tricycles, starting by identifying popular models used in schools and recreation centers. Both Wang and Talmud work with tricycles schwinn tricycle in teaching pedaling and balance to kids. I used the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s database to see which trikes had been recalled recently and why. And I called two bike shops to see what models they recommend to parents looking for a first tricycle for their child.

Nonetheless, this sturdy, metal tricycle has serious nostalgia appeal. We found that the controlled turning radius made this trike harder to tip than some of the others. But it lacks a back support, adjusts only a bit to accommodate taller riders, and is very heavy at 21¼ pounds.