Trike for a 2 year old--need the push bar?

RevJG

We are getting DD a tricycle for her birthday and I am trying to decide if she needs the push bar.  How long did your LO use it for?  She's tall for her age and so I am not so much concerned with her reaching the pedals as I am with her ability to actually make it go.  Ha.  Any recommendations for a trike you love? (I think we are leaning towards the standard Kettler one since it adjusts as they grow).

tri-reader

I'd say for after 2 years old they won't need the push bar.  Emmy started actually pedaling around 2.5 years or just before that and once she had that coordination we didn't need the push bar at all. 

jsugrin

I think if she's got the legs to reach the pedals you wont' need it.  Andrew only just started pedaling in the last month or so but he has unusually short legs proportionally to the rest of him, if he could have reached them he could have done it.

Also we had one that had a handle but it was only good for pushing, it didn't control any steering mechanism and it was a b!tch to take out, we did it twice.  The wheel just went all over the place since he didn't know enough to control it since he wasn't in charge.  It was a maddening experience.

tri_bride05

I think it depends how you'll be using it. If you have a space at home where she'll ride then I don't think you need it. If you're going to be walking with her on the trike to the park or other space to ride, IMO you'll want it. M's tall and can reach the pedals, but isn't making it go on his own yet, and once he does, I doubt he'd go where I wanted him to (i.e. on the sidewalk to the park or other safe space to ride since we don't have room at home). Without the push bar, I'd have to load him and the trike up in the car and drive the three blocks to the park.

RevJG

tri_bride05:

I think it depends how you'll be using it. If you have a space at home where she'll ride then I don't think you need it. If you're going to be walking with her on the trike to the park or other space to ride, IMO you'll want it. M's tall and can reach the pedals, but isn't making it go on his own yet, and once he does, I doubt he'd go where I wanted him to (i.e. on the sidewalk to the park or other safe space to ride since we don't have room at home). Without the push bar, I'd have to load him and the trike up in the car and drive the three blocks to the park.

Good point, I hadn't even thought about that!  It would definitely be more for outside use.  Thanks all for your insights. 

SeasonalCook

We got E the Radio Flyer trike with push bar from Target for her 2nd bday. She can easily reach the pedals but cannot pedal herself. The push bar is removable.

And pp has a very good point about steering while walking on the sidewalk. Even with me controlling the direction with the pushbar, E has managed to steer us into walls. I hate to think about what she would do on her own.