Buying a Tricycle: Our Essential Guide

Each individual component in a tricycle contributes to the overall quality of the product. Some tricycles are made using cheaper or even unsuitable parts, which should be avoided for both the longevity of your tricycle and your own safety.

We’ve put together an overview of some key components of a tricycle, along with advice on what to look out for when making a purchase.

Whether you’re shopping with us or elsewhere, there are several questions that we think you should consider asking during the buying process. Much like buying a new car, your tricycle purchase is an important one, and you need to make sure you’re not only buying quality but also receiving the same level of service after your purchase, should any issues arise.

We’ve put together a few key questions we believe are essential when buying a tricycle—along with the Jorvik Tricycles answer.

“Are your tricycles certified?”
The two key things to look for here are European Norm (EN) Certification and the European Conformity (CE) Marking. You’ve likely seen these before—EN Certification indicates that a product meets the expected safety, reliability, and quality standards, while the CE Marking is a visible sign of compliance with EU safety, health, and environmental regulations.

At Jorvik Tricycles, we hold all the necessary certifications, ensuring that every product we offer is fully certified and compliant.

How do you resolve any issues during the warranty period?
Even with the highest-quality products and meticulous quality control, things can occasionally go wrong. While this is rare, it’s important to have a warranty that not only covers your tricycle but is also backed by a clear and straightforward process for resolving any issues. Ask your salesperson what steps they would take if something were to go wrong. If they’re anything like us, they’ll arrange for someone to inspect your trike or collect it as soon as possible, and work promptly to resolve the issue.

We offer a 24-month parts warranty on all tricycles purchased from January 2023, covering non-consumable parts. There is also a lifetime warranty on the tricycle frame. Full warranty terms can be found in section six of our Terms of Service.

Can you return it if test ridden?
Even if you’ve spent months deliberating over your tricycle purchase — perhaps even taking a few test laps around our track — sometimes it just doesn’t feel quite right once you’re out in the real world. There’s no shame in a change of heart. However, it’s important to check the seller’s returns policy, especially once the tricycle has been ridden on the road. Many sellers won’t accept a return if the trike has been removed from its packaging or ridden at all. Furthermore, many eBay and Amazon sellers ship directly from China or use drop shipping warehouses in Europe, so returns — if accepted — can end up being very costly.

At Jorvik, we understand that it can take some time to truly get a feel for your tricycle. That’s why we offer our Jorvik ‘Try Cycle’ goodwill guarantee, giving you 14 days to try it out and return it if it’s not quite right for you. Full information can be found in section eight of our Terms of Service.

Do you service tricycles?
Getting your tricycle serviced is essential for its upkeep and ensuring it stays in top working condition. We recommend servicing your trike at least once a year to help prevent issues and keep the warranty valid. If your point of purchase doesn’t offer servicing or is too far away, it may cause issues when it comes to keeping your tricycle in perfect working condition.

At Jorvik, we have a large network of mobile technicians who can come to your home at your convenience to service your tricycle. Alternatively, we’ll happily collect your tricycle for servicing, bring it back to our workshop, and return it to you afterwards. The cost of this varies depending on your location.

Where are you based, and do you offer aftersales support?
If you’re buying online or over the phone, we recommend finding out where the company is based, where their aftersales support operates from, and how you can contact them. If you experience an issue or simply have a question, it’s important to get a quick response.

We’re proud to be a UK-based company, with our customer service team based right here with us. That means we’re easily reachable by phone, live chat, or email—and if you’d like to visit us in person, you’re always welcome at our showroom. Our core office and showroom opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

We’ve had several occasions where customers have been out and about—even walking in the middle of nowhere—and called us with a technical issue. In many cases, we’re able to resolve the problem over the phone and get them back on their way within minutes.

Are you a member of the Bicycle Association (BA)?
The Bicycle Association (BA) is the trade association for the UK cycle industry. They exist to represent the UK cycle industry to the government and public, as well as play an active role in growing the popularity and accessibility of cycling in the country. 

Being a member of the BA demonstrates a commitment to being a part of the wider cycling community in the UK, as well as upholding the highest standards of quality and compliance to technical requirements. Membership is a good sign that you’re buying a tricycle from someone who really cares about providing the best product.

We’re proud to say that Jorvik Tricycles is a long-standing registered BA member. 

Trusted and Recognised by Trading Standards
At Jorvik Tricycles, we are proud to work closely with UK Trading Standards and hold Primary Authority approval.

This means our business practices, systems of works and compliance are reviewed and supported by regulatory experts. We want to ensure we’re being held to the highest standards possible for our customer service, advertising, warranty, and, of course, the quality of our tricycles.