Balance bike or tricycle - which one to choose?

Simple answers are often the best ones. This is how one can justify the answer as to why it is best for the kids to start off with the most ordinary balance bike out there. But how come not with a tricycle? Each of these two solutions has their own supporters and each really serves different purposes. So let’s together analyze both options.

Anyone knows that when learning to ride a bike, keeping balance is the key to success. In order to ride this traditional two- wheeler, the balance must still be synchronized with pedaling. In order for a toddler to learn how to pedal faster, parents often attach two small wheels on the sides, or a peg to the rear wheel. All that effort is to counteract the potential loss of balance, and thus- falling. 

Kids usually get their first bike around the age of 7 or 8. More often than not, the initial euphoria gives way to the fear of losing balance and falling. As a consequence, the child might develop fear or become resentful towards the bike. So the manufacturers of balance bikes and ride- on bikes have been doing their best to prevent that from happening. But as well all came to realize in life: the greater the choice, the harder it gets. Following logic, one should choose what seems stable- so maybe a three- wheeler, right? But isn’t the bike supposed to be actually useful to the user at some point?

As a general rule, parents can buy the first balance bike as soon as their child turns two. This is when this little person is usually either already walking or trying to walk. A balance bike works hard to encourage and develop skills such as walking and balance, teaching the child how to avoid potential collisions, keep the right posture, or even psychological aspects such as perseverance and perception of space. A two-wheeler with no pedals lets the child keep it in motion independently- with the strength of his or her own muscles.

Once the kiddos grow out of their balance bikes, they quickly learn to move around on a traditional bike. So how come we lost the tricycle somewhere along the way- generally viewed as stable and safe? The child will be able to learn to pedal and control the bike completely independently, without any help from an adult. Two-wheelers of this type feature a swivel front wheel connected with the pedals, and two rear wheels arranged in a pairwise manner. Thanks to this structure, the bike maintains balance by itself which allows you to stop and rest at any time without actually getting off the bike. Starting and stopping is also much easier than in the case of classic bikes, the so- called single track bikes, because you don’t have to keep your balance by shifting your body. Interestingly, tricycles are even recommended for the elderly - especially when undergoing rehabilitation or struggling after a back injury. Now, coming back to the kids! Tricycles for children look more like a baby strolley rather than an actual bike. As a parent- you may feel like you are more in control, but your kid is not learning anything! Your child is meant to learn how to maintain balance and more importantly: to find courage to move independently.

So to sum it up briefly: the traditional two-wheeler, in other words: a balance bike is more useful for the psycho-physical development of a child than a bike with a pole or with extra wheels attached.