Why is this unsafe? - Page 2

[Mom2M]

Originally Posted by lazzybee

It's funny, on MDC I see some people launch an attack on US American society where it doesn't seem fitting.

I totally agree with this! I could write an essay about it but had to rein in my feelings on that one so I didn't hijack...

[AislinCarys]

I grew up biking everywhere, and consider myself a confident biker. Sweden is a society where everyone has a bike (for transport more than exercise), and particularly in he cities, people bike a lot, and mums transporting their kids to daycare is a common sight. A recent law says all kids under 15 needs to wear a helmet on a bike.

30 years ago, maybe, someone would bike with their child in a Babybjörn (although my parents and all parents I knew used bike seats, some of which can be used from 8 months, before then people used push chairs and walked). Today, no way. I know that most carriages are not recommended for young babies, but I also know that lots of parents use them, the ones with a baby capsule, like the ones in a car, in. It is definitely considered the safest option if you NEED to use a bike to transport your child.

Earlier this year we were back in Sweden for some time (10 months). We didn't have a car, and DD was over a year old so we got a Weeride for her and helmets for us all. We traveled around by bike and public transport, and had a few kilometres from the bus stop, which we usually biked. sometimes when we got off the bus on the way home, DD would be asleep in the meitai or Ergo. And I know I considered if it could be ok, just for once, to bike wither there. DH wouldn't hear of it, he just said "If you fall, she doesn't have chance".

And I agree, it is much too risky. In all the years I've biked I've had 3 or 4 accidents. On flat roads, without much traffic. Once it started raining badly and I couldn't see very well, and biked into a low pole. Another time I was hit by another biker flying around a corner on the wrong side of the road. DH has been hit by cars twice (and he's not a risk-taker).

I would NEVER plan to take DD biking in a carrier or sling, wouldn't even dream of it, and certainly wouldn't have considered it when she was tiny. A bike will shake even on a flat road.