Your toddler is growing up. Your two-year-old is ready to become more mobile and you are trying to decide between a tricycle and a balance bike.

A trike has your child seated and tilted slightly backward with the handlebar higher than their shoulder height. The kid's feet are in front of their torso. The double back wheels give the cycle its stability. The act of pedaling a tricycle can sometimes put undue pressure on the abdomen. With a balance bike, the child is more vertical with legs directly below their torso. The handlebars are more even with the torso. The child learns to balance, which generally is the largest hurdle in transitioning to a standard bicycle.

Develop Confidence and Independence

If one of your goals is to help your child develop confidence and independence, the balance bike is better on uneven terrains like pavements, back yards, and parks. It can handle the muddy ground. It is more maneuverable than a tricycle or a pedal bike with training wheels. If you are more concerned with personal safety, the trike will tip over less and can be adapted with a parental pole for adult supervision.

Most parents view a trike or balance bike in Australia, as the first step toward a standard pedal bike. A trike will help the child develop the foot and leg skills to pedal. Unfortunately, the more difficult element of riding a two-wheeler is balance. That is where the balance bike excels. The child has learned to steer and balance at the same time. The progress on a balance bike is usually that the child begins by walking with the bike between their legs and then progresses to running. 

Sitting on the seat they will figure out how to lift their feet and glide while still maintaining control and balance. It makes an easier shift to a pedal bike. Some balance bikes come equipped with hand brakes, which will also make that conversion simpler when the time comes.

What Age Works Best?

To consider a balance bike, your child must be able to walk well. That generally restricts it to ages over two. Stature also makes a difference. Placing the child straddling a balance bike, they need to stand firmly on both feet and not be on tiptoes.

With either a trike or balance bike, there will be spills. There should be fewer falls with a trike because of its stabilizing three wheels, but because it is more difficult to steer and can't handle uneven surfaces as well, there can be frustrations. Tumbling with a balance bike is more likely but then again there is not a great distance like a pedal bike. The child is sitting only their own leg distance from the ground.

What you choose depends on the child as well as your goals. If you want a fun plaything, then a trike, specially equipped with a basket to transport toys or snacks, is best. If you would rather focus on motor skills or an easier transition to a pedal bike, then go for the balance bike.