A three-wheeler for a not-yet freewheeler

Riding a tricycle, an integral part of childhood, is good exercise that gets kids outdoors. Very young children might need a little guidance before mastering a three-wheeler. A new tricycle from Huffy Bicycle Co., designed for children age 18 months to 3 years, gives parents control until kids can ride solo.

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Huffy Canopy Trike: The trike can be used as a sort of hybrid stroller, because it has a removable handlebar with a canopy that allows an adult to steer. It includes a removable footrest, a padded seat with a three-point safety harness and padded handlebars with steering lockout. As the child grows, the handlebar can be removed and the child can ride unassisted. “Some young kids are afraid to get on bikes,” says Dawn Lynn, the Ohio-based company’s manager of marketing services. “This gets them comfortable with it.”

Price: About $70; available at Sport Chalet in Los Angeles and at www.toysrus.com. For more information, go to www.huffybikes.com.

-- Jeannine Stein