Safety first! What to look for in a convertible tricycle stroller.

Your pram is the workhorse of the family. It stoically ferries your little one from place to place, year-on-year, but for something wheelie fun, have you considered buying a convertible tricycle stroller too?  

This ingenious transportation device won’t replace your pram, which can keep clocking the big miles, but it is a great option for families on the go – and kids on the grow!   

As its name suggests, a convertible tricycle stroller moves between stroller and trike modes, and this makes it a fun and handy way to get your baby, then bigger kid, moving.  

CHOICE expert, Kim Gilmour says, ‘When your baby is very young (from around six months), it acts like a pram and you push them along in 'parent/carer mode'. Then, once your child is old enough (around 18 months), you can progress to tricycle mode by adding pedals and steering functionality.’ 

Little kids love the “Wheeeeeeee!!!’ as they learn to ride, and parents are sold on the flexibility, but it is important to choose your model carefully. 

Six out of nine convertible trikes tested by CHOICE failed on basic safety requirements, so before you whiz home with the first one you see, here is their expert advice for buying better – and safer: 

1. Check the fine print around safety  

Convertible tricycle strollers carry your most precious cargo, so it’s essential that the one you buy complies with the mandatory Australian Standard for prams and strollers (AS/NZS 2088:2000). 

When looking at a convertible trike, Ms Gilmour says, ‘The first thing you need to do is make sure the manufacturer claims compliance to this standard by including ‘AS/NZS 2088:2000’ on the product or packaging. If you see the words, ‘This is a toy, not a stroller’ on the box, this doesn't excuse it from requiring compliance to the standard if it meets the characteristics of being a convertible trike.’ 

CHOICE Expert Kim Gilmour. Source:Supplied

To comply with the standard, a convertible tricycle stroller must have: 

• Parking brakes, to ensure it won’t roll away 
• A tether strap on the handle, to double ensure it won’t roll away
• A permanent-fixed harness with waist and crotch straps, and preferably shoulder straps, to keep your child secure for every bump in the road, and
• Clear instructions on how to use the convertible trike safely. 

CHOICE suggests that you look for a five-point safety harness, which will really hold your child in, and large parking brakes that are easy to find quickly.  

You’re also looking for pedals and front handlebars that can be locked or removed if your tyke isn’t ready to take full control practising their biking skills.   

2. Consider other family-friendly features  

Comfort is a big consideration for both passenger and pusher, so make sure any convertible trike you buy is right for your child’s age and weight, and also has:  

• Good storage 
• A foot rest in trike mode, for when your tyke isn’t pedalling yet  
• A generous, possibly retractable, canopy to shield your cherub from the sun, and 
• A parent handle which can be used in both pram and trike mode if your tot loses, or hasn’t yet learnt, pedal power.  

Ms Gilmour says it’s important that the trike is easy for you and your child to manoeuvre, and a foldable trike is great if you want to fit it in your car boot or take it on public transport. 

Some convertible trikes have a rotating seat, so you can see your cutie’s face as you stroll along together, and although not essential, a quality bell and rear-view mirror adds excitement to every ride. Ding, ding, ding, dinnnnggggg!!! 

3. Buy your convertible trike from a quality seller  

The online marketplace is full of good stuff – including quality childcare placements – but CHOICE does recommend that you buy your convertible trike from, ‘A larger, mainstream retailer to avoid buying a dud.’   

Ms Gilmour says, ‘The CHOICE testing experts have seen models originating from online marketplaces, like eBay and Amazon third party sellers, that simply don't meet basic standards.’  

She explains that, ‘Some harnesses we looked at were very flimsy, essentially a loose belt. Others were attached to the seat by an elastic band and able to be lifted straight off. Some also failed our stability test. One parent even told us they had a handle come off the cheap trike they purchased.’ 

To get around this, it helps to look at convertible trikes in-person and keep an eye out for signs of poor quality.  

Ms Gilmour says, ‘Torn instructions, a lack of any safety instructions (or incorrect instructions), no warning labels, loose or incompatible screws, and no parking brakes are all red flags when buying.’  

It’s important that your convertible trike is stable and secure when put together, so check out any display stock to see how it’s handling.  

Also, ask staff which models have minimal assembly, because you don’t want to be fiddling with zillions of parts when you could be on your way to the park!  

After all, that’s what a convertible tricycle stroller does best.  

It’s perfect for trips to the park or short walks, but isn’t meant to be a total replacement for your pram, which is built for long-distance comfort and all-terrain action.   

Instead, a convertible trike allows your little one to explore their neighbourhood and find their feet.  

CHOICE says you can go with a quality hand-me-down if you don’t want to buy new – just watch for wear and tear – and no matter which convertible trike you choose, remember to always closely supervise your child, whether you’re doing the pushing or puffing to keep up!