But three-wheelers are not all good news. They’re usually more expensive than their two-wheeled equivalent, are physically larger and heavier so are more cumbersome through traffic and can’t offer the same dynamic thrill, either, even though the modern breed of ‘leaning-three-wheelers’ come close. Material – look for a trike made of sturdy materials (metal may be more serviceable for you than plastic). Trailer cycles are much cheaper than tandems and take up much less space. They’re more versatile, too, in that you can detach the trailer cycle and use your bike as normal when required. If colour's what you're after then you can't go far wrong with the Chad Valley My First Trike. With grippy handles and wide wheels, this trike is great for short trips to the park with toddlers who are just building up confidence – and it won't break the bank if they soon want to trade it in for a balance bike. Dan Joyce warns: "If you do see one second hand, avoid it. In the decades working as a cycle journalist it’s the most dangerous thing I’ve ever taken out on the road."

We are getting DS a trike as part of his first birthday in June. I’m currently looking at the Kinderkraft Aston or the Q Play Rito” (Recommended by Mumsnetter NEAKT5) Our verdict

2. Best budget trike: Scuttlebug

When it comes to trikes, the Scuttlebug is a firm favourite for toddlers learning to balance and steer. With four designs to choose from – the Butterfly, Beetle, Bumblebee and Grasshopper – the Scuttlebug is a fun, easy-to-manoeuvre ride-on for one-year-olds who are keen to get moving. How much money you want to spend? If you budget is limited you can buy good-quality second-hand bikes, trailers and tag-a-longs on the Cycling UK forum. Good trailer cycles such as Burleys hold their value well, so you may struggle to find a bargain second hand. The flip side is that you should get a good price for yours when your children finally outgrow it.

We love that when the waist bar is installed the child isn’t able to turn the handlebars so the parent is in full control of the bike. Then as the child gets bigger and more independent you can let them take a bit of control, then finally you can remove the parent handle altogether to be left with a classic trike for the child to ride independently. All-in-all, this tricycle is the ideal option for children eager to get started and it's one that will grow with them too. With summer just around the corner we’ll all be looking for ways to make the most of warm, dry days and spend as much time as possible outdoors, and heading out for a ride on a trike is a great option for active little ones. Most toddlers are very keen to do things on their own, so choosing the right trike for them - one which allows them to feel in control and safe - can help them to enjoy freedom and gain more independence. But, like children, trikes come in all shapes and sizes and what fits one may not fit another. So you'll want to choose a tricycle that's suitable for your child's age while also thinking about safety and development.Doona trike. The absolute best things I've ever bought for my toddler. Quite pricey but worth every penny imo.” (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user AYearOfCushions) Our verdict You can tow a trailer cycle behind a tandem even more easily than you can behind a solo bicycle. It upsets the handling less, because the trailer cycle passenger is a smaller fraction of the weight that’s on the towing bicycle. upgrade and increase the pedal to solve the problem of the front wheel and the ankle touch, and effectively prevent the naughty baby from standing up. This vintage-style trike looks beautiful with its chunky, grippy rubber tyres, built in footrest, and steel frame. Unlike the other trikes in our list, the Trybike doesn’t have any pedals and is meant as a safe and sturdy introduction to balance bikes. And once they get bigger and build up their confidence you can use the supplied tools to convert the trike to a balance bike to last them all the way up to 6 years old.

FollowMe Tandem – a Swiss-designed, rear-axle mounted trailer that lets you bring your child’s own bike along so they can ride separately if they wish. It’s mostly made of steel, but only adds 4kg to the bike’s normal weight.The scratch-free wheels mean it stays in good condition so should be good for a hand-me-down and its front-wheel steering makes it really easy for toddlers to move exactly where they want to go. The folding system means it can also go in the car for holidays and trips out easily and can be stored away between children. We like the fact that it can be used both indoors and out, making it an ideal choice for parents in need of a budget-friendly all-rounder to keep kids busy during playtime. In practice, bike handling is much the same as with other seatpost-mounted trailer cycles – just about adequate. It isn’t as sturdy, but it is cheaper. Adults can feel themselves getting more tired; children can conk out in moments and suddenly be upset and tearful. Our guide to going on a bike ride with children has some useful tips. If you’re looking for a trike that you can use instead of the buggy on trips to the park and out and about then the Q Play Rito Star is a great option. From as young as 10 months your child can sit in the comfy seat, put their feet up on the footrests, and enjoy the view while you have full control. We love that the handle on this trike is similar to those on a pushchair so you can comfortably use both hands to push and steer.