Bike Riding and Babies/kids

I used both the seat on the back of the bike and the bike trailer. They wore a helmet for both. The seat on the back was good for short rides, but I liked the trailer for long rides to the park as I could bring a picnic lunch etc. I still use the bike trailer (without kids in it) when we are all riding to the park for a picnic, or to carry chairs to watch fireworks or to carry soccer equipment to games. I have even used it for grocery shopping.

Loved our trailer when the kids were small! And yes, helmet for baby and for you. The nice thing about the trailer is that you can pack other things in it and go for longer rides. We used to stash diapers and wipes, blankets, drinks, snacks/lunch, sunscreen, a ball, etc., hit a trail and go out for a while. We'd stop somewhere pretty and have a picnic lunch, play some soccer or football or whatever, relax and then bike back to our starting point. Look for one that can convert to a stroller (I think you pop a small wheel on the front and pull up a handlebar) so that if you get someplace where you want to walk around a bit, it's easy to do so.

I have done both, and always used a helmet for my kids, even in the trailer. I just never felt comfortable with the trailer, I was afraid someone wouldn't see it and hit it, that it would come off. And for one kid, I think that a bike seat (attached in front or back of you) is so much safer.

Always always use a helmet for them, even if they hate it. One time I was just standing with my bike between my legs and hands on the bars, it got away from me somehow and it fell over with my kid in the bike seat. With the helmet there was not a bruise or scrape or crying. I don't want to think what would have happened without one.

Yes, your baby needs a helmet whether you use the trailer or a seat. If you get in an accident, he'll be in it with you.

I always used a trailer if I wanted to ride my son myself for two reasons 1) you can load the child yourself with the bike propped on it's kick stand, but with a bike mounted seat, you really should have someone else to help hold the bike up while you load the kid. 2) We used the bike for errands and the trailer had trunk space.

Practice riding with the trailer several times before you put your son in it... put a bag of groceries in and see what it's like to ride with weight in there... it does change the way you have to take your turns and stops... you want to get used to that without your baby on the road with you.

Yes I always did, I think it may even be required by law in some states. have fun!

Definitely put a helmet on your baby in either one. Their brain is so vulnerable. If you have an accident of any sort they will be even more likly to have a traumatic brain injury.

My daughter use a seat with her now 3yo. She said her baby was 18 mos. old before her head was large enough to fit into a helmet. She's waiting until her year old baby is larger.

I suggest a seat gives you more flexibility in where to ride while a trailer allows you to carry more. I've seen bikes with both.

Definitely put a helmet on your baby as soon as you're ready to start taking him on the bike.

Personally, I was always a little bit nervous when I put my daughter on the seat in the back. I felt like I would tip over anytime I went around a corner. Granted, I tend to be a nervous type of person, but it didn't work for me. I would have preferred the trailer, I think, but didn't have enough space in the garage for it.

Anyway, whichever you choose, I have heard it isn't as safe to get a seat that goes on the front/handlebars of your bike. Supposedly, little rocks/dirt can fly up into their faces and they are more likely to get hurt in a fall.

Haven't used either, but yes to the helmet for whichever you choose. The kiddo is just as at risk for injury in a crash as the adult.

We used a trailer b/c it could be used longer. DD wears a helmet in the trailer.

ETA: If you are looking at a trailer, consider your local bike shop, craigslist or freecycle for one used or lower cost. We got ours from freecycle...for free.

Trailers are pricey compared with bike seats. Mine was on a trike at 2.5 and on a bike at 3 (w/ training wheels). Depending on your kid, his disposition, and your bike inclinations, you might be better off with a baby seat, followed by a kiddie tandem attachment.

http://www.trail-gator.com/

Best,
F. B.

For that age I'd use a seat attached to the FRAME of the bike--he'd be sitting in front of you.

I would never be able to keep my eyes on the road if I had a kid behind me--I'd constantly be turning around to see how he was doing.

Yes to the helmet--I didn't wear one as a kid, and laughed at the kids in my neighborhood who had to, but knowing what I do now about Traumatic Brain Injury, I will ALWAYS require my kid to wear helmets when they're on any wheeled device that isn't a car.

This brings back memories of all of us riding together when the kids were little. My husband and I each had seats on our bikes and then he also pulled a trailer with the other two. Everyone wore helmets. Then, when they got older, we got a tandem, pulled the trailer, and the older two rode along side us.

I bought a co-pilot trailer and it rocks!! The wheels are slightly bigger so all the bumps you go over won't hit your toddler in the butt. Personally, I put a helmet on him and he took it right back off so he went w/o one. Plus, if your bike tips over, the trailer DOES NOT (I can only speak of the co-pilot) -- this happened to me twice when I parked my bike on my lawn. I was always told it's hard to keep the baby stable in a seat mounted to a bike. I did a lot of research on this as well. Yes, my bike tipped over 2x but, I've put hundreds of miles on it. Also, it will scratch the sh#t out of your bike, I don't care what the salesman tells you - just an FYI. Have fun!

I just bought a bike too! No trailers or seats at this stage, just mom trailing behind the little one.

Helmet please. I think the only people left who don't wear helmets are (for some reason) those riding scooters.

I didn't have a trailer. I had a baby seat that mounted behind my seat. I only wear a helmet on a motorcycle, and I never made my daughter wear a bicycle helmet either.