I would recommend parents to buy the Doona trike if:
- Your child is turning 10 months old
- You want a lighter and more convenient option of bringing your child out
- You want to expose your child to outdoors
- You want the convertibility of a trike from a push trike to a bicycle (longer mileage for you!)
- You want a reputable brand made of high quality material
Why Own a Trike?
According to Little Nation, riding a trike contributes to a toddler’s physical, psychological and emotional development. It helps with their balance and coordination too.
A trike allows parents to:
- Bring their child out without being confined in a stroller
- Expose their child to outdoors more
- Prepare their child for learning to pedal
Introduction About the Doona Trike
There are several models that Doona released for their Liki Trikes.
– Foldable
– Cabin-friendly
• Stage 1 (Parent Mode): 10-18 months
• Stage 2 (Push Mode): 18-24 months
• Stage 3 (Tricycle Mode): 24-30 months
• Stage 4 (Bike Mode): 30-36 months
– Red Flame
– Foldable
– Cabin-friendly
• Stage 1 (Parent Mode): 10-18 months
• Stage 2 (Push Mode): 18-24 months
• Stage 3 (Tricycle Mode): 24-30 months
• Stage 4 (Bike Mode): 30-36 months
– Storage bag
– Cup holder
– Padded armrest
– Shoulder pads
– Pedal straps
– 5 point harness
– Foldable
– Cabin-friendly
• Stage 1 (Parent Mode): 10-18 months
• Stage 2 (Push Mode): 18-24 months
• Stage 3 (Tricycle Mode): 24-30 months
• Stage 4 (Bike Mode): 30-36 months
– Storage bag
– Cup holder
– Padded armrest
– Shoulder pads
– Pedal straps
– 5 point harness
– Wooden handlebars
– Travel bag (for storing the trike)
How Do I Feel About It?
I borrowed a Doona S1 Liki Trike from my friend for my daughter to try out. We used it for a year when my daughter was 1 going 2 years old. Here are my thoughts about the Doona trike.
My daughter enjoys running free, and it is tough getting her to sit in her stroller for long. Hence, the Doona trike was such a great addition to the family as she enjoyed sitting in it. She thinks she is in control of the trike too, haha!
However, she would only be willing to sit in the trike for a maximum of 30 minutes and she would start feeling restless. At this stage, she is still unable to ride the trike, and I feel that she might be bored sitting and being pushed. Then, I will have to find a suitable spot for her to expend her energy.
Also, I feel that there is minimal protection on the trike. Your child needs to be disciplined enough to constantly place their feet on the pedal. As I own a S1 Liki Trike, there weren’t any pedal straps and I had to constantly remind my daughter to place her feet on the pedals. It was quite dangerous for her to place her feet on the floor as she might hurt herself.
Something else to note is that my daughter breaks herself free from the harness several times. It can get dangerous on the go, if she decides to lean to one side while seated.
The Doona trike is a great product to have but it can get quite stressful ensuring my daughter’s safety – her feet need to be on the pedals, she needs to be in her harness, and of course, not doing anything funny while seated.
Once she’s able to ride it as a bicycle, all these worries would be uncalled for and then, it’s time to teach her to steer!
What Is Good?
Great quality
According to Doona, their trikes are made from quality materials: premium grade fiber reinforced polymers, high durability wheels, and rust-free aluminum profiles.
Unlike Singapore – my home country –, the roads in Germany are mainly cobbled grounds. The Doona trike withstood the rough terrain! This shows proof of their high-quality material.
Child feels less confined
Unlike a stroller, a trike makes the child feel more involved in the outdoors. When they are younger, they feel more in control even if they are not cycling the trike.
My daughter thinks she is controlling the trike because she can move the handle bar. Lo and behold, she doesn’t know that it’s her mommy controlling the trike, haha!
Can be converted into a bicycle
The Doona trike can be converted into a tricycle/bicycle when your child is ready, and is tall enough to pedal – around 24 months of age. In my case, my 25-month-old daughter is unable to ride it as a bicycle as she’s not tall enough.
She is currently at an awkward age of not being able to pedal herself, and yet her legs are too long for her to place it nicely at the Push Mode’s footrest. If I were to let her rest her feet on the pedals, she would then be “pedaling” too fast if I were to control by pushing the trike. The sweet compromise would then be her resting her feet on the pedals, and I would then have to push the trike very slowly.
While waiting for my daughter to grow taller and be able to ride it as a tricycle, the convertible is something I absolutely love about the Doona trike. It can be used from 10 months of age to 36 months of age (almost 2 years!).
Can be folded
This may not be a crucial function if you use it on a daily basis, leaving it as it is. However, it’s nice to know that it can be folded compactly. This is great for traveling (it can fit in airplane’s overhead bins) and also for small homes.
Places to Purchase
Amazon Doona S3 Liki Trike
Lazada Doona S3 Liki Trike
Shopee Doona S3 Liki Trike
Additional Add-Ons
You can buy an additional Liki storage bag that allows you to keep your belongings while using the trike. This storage bag is included in the latest S5 model.
Lazada Doona Liki Premium Storage Bag
Shopee Doona Liki Premium Storage Bag
Overall Thoughts
After using the Doona trike for a year, I am more certain of its goodness and would definitely be buying one of my own. I can’t wait to see how my daughter would ride it as a tricycle/bicycle independently. This review will also be updated accordingly when my daughter starts riding it.
- A trike with a long mileage (about 2 years)
- A reputable trike made of high quality materials
- A lighter and more convenient option of bringing your child out
Whatever brand you choose, a trike is great for developing motor skills and we hope you do explore this option for your child!
