WIKI defines a Big Wheel as, “a type of tricycle, usually made of plastic, with an oversized front wheel, that rides very low to the ground.” Though my boys are now married with children, when they were little tikes, they each owned their own Big Wheel tricycle. Since our house was down a hill from the road, they would race each other down the driveway, over and over. This toy was a source of hours of great joy. We didn’t have helmets in those days, yet, as parents, we were confident they would be safe on them.
We also owned a standard tricycle but that was another story. Though made of metal and not plastic, the tricycle put the rider much higher and the center of gravity in such a place that a sharp corner would easily turn them over. Without helmets, it was pretty likely that, sooner rather than later, a child would get hurt on a tricycle.
Big Wheel tricycles were first made by Louis Marx and Company in 1969. They were cheaper and safer than a tricycle so their popularity soared. This caught the attention of competitors and soon its design was copied by a number of other companies. But they were all called Big Wheels, just as all tissues are called Kleenex and a photocopy is called a Xerox. Big Wheel became a generic name. Ten years later Marx went bankrupt and sold the mold to their largest competitor, Empire Plastics.
By the late 1990s, Big Wheel tricycles had all but lost their usefulness and Empire too went bankrupt in 2001. In recent days a new interest in Big Wheels has risen, and thus, they are being made and sold once again.
Why are Big Wheels popular? First, as long as there are children, there will be little people who want to get around faster than running and want something that is the envy of other kids. Again, as long as there are parents, safety will be first on the list of criteria for selecting a toy. Add to that the variegated colors and the Big Wheel is a winner for everyone.
Though standard tricycles are metal, the all plastic frame of the Big Wheel makes it easy to carry and lift, yet strong enough to endure the rough treatment of an elementary child. On a standard tricycle, a child sits high and pushes down on the peddles, similar to a bicycle. On a Big Wheel, a child sits at the same level off the ground as his feet. Therefore, he pushes forward with his feet to make it go. His center of gravity is so low that it is virtually impossible to tip over.
Of course nothing lasts forever, neither tricycles nor Big Wheels. The Big Wheel’s longevity will depend on the type of terrain on which it is used, and the texture of the surface. Blacktop would not be as hard on it as, say, a gravel road. Sooner or later, typically the plastic on the wheels wears thin and the wheels break. But usually, by that time, the child has outgrown it anyway.
The Big Wheel tricycle is a safe, fun way for children to enjoy the adventure of exploring, racing, or just riding around. I know I enjoyed hours on mine as a kid. And the great thing about it is, parents can be assured they are a good, safe investment for their children.
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