Whizz kids Choose the right scooter for your child
Riding a scooter is a great way for children to get around. Whether they are zooming to school or zipping around the park, a scooter is much easier to master than a bicycle and is normally less expensive.
For young children, scooters with three or four wheels are best to help them develop balance and co-ordination. Modern models often have two wheels at the front and one at the back. You steer by simply leaning to the side. Younger children’s scooters have soft grips and anti-slip footplates to maximise safety. They are chunkier than scooters for older children and may not fold down. Many are brightly coloured or feature favourite TV characters.
When children have mastered the basics, they can move on to a two-wheeled push scooter. The height of the handlebars can normally be adjusted so the scooter can ‘grow’ with your child. Many have a brake, operated by pressing a pedal over the back wheel. Some even give off sparks when you do this! They’re convenient too – most are lightweight and fold in half, which makes them very easy to carry around or pop in the boot of the car. These scooters also come in lots of funky designs and some have flashing lights on the footplate.
Two-wheel scooters can get up to a good speed, but they are not all suitable for doing jumps and tricks. For this, you will need a stunt scooter, which is stronger than a normal one. They have a rigid head tube and bars, metal wheels and rubber grips, and they aren’t foldable.
If your child likes to travel at speed but isn’t keen to put the effort in, how about an electric scooter? Suitable for children aged eight and older, they are powered by rechargeable batteries that last for around 45 minutes. You accelerate using a twist-grip control and can reach speeds of up to 15mph.
The latest innovation in scooting is the ‘tri’ or ‘Y’ scooter. These are three-wheeled scooters, but you stand with your legs apart on two separate plates that come together at the front. To travel, you move your body from side to side in a skiing motion.
And if you like to visit country parks with rough tracks, how about an off-road scooter, with larger wheels and pneumatic tyres for a smoother ride, and a raised footplate which won’t catch on any bumps.
Whatever type of scooter you choose to buy, always check the size carefully to make sure it is suitable for your child. This is especially important if you are buying online, and manufacturers should give height and weight restrictions for their products. Finally, a word on safety. As with bicycles, children can and will fall off their scooters. Minimise their injuries by getting them kitted out with a helmet, kneepads and elbow pads.
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