biking with baby/toddler

[July09Mama]

Can we talk about biking with a child, just in general? I'm thinking about breaking out my bike again this spring, but I have no idea how to bring my will-be 2 yo with me. 

Seat on the bike or trailer? Most of our biking will be on residential streets, so not too busy, but I'm still worried about having her in the trailer down where it might not be seen. I'm leaning toward a seat on the bike, but of course that makes me nervous about falling off the bike in general. I've read that most of the falls off the bike for kids happen when the parent is getting on and off, not actually during the ride, though. Is there anything else I'm not thinking of, or is there a clear-cut best choice here?

Helmet: What kind? I will take her into a specialized bike store to get fitted and all, but when we went for helmets for dh and I a few years ago the employees weren't super helpful, so I'd like to have a basic idea before we go. 

Any other safety gear we should be thinking of? I have a while to think about it, but I'd like to be able to start looking for good deals on stuff now, since the trailers and seats can be pricey. TIA!

[leighi123]

I prefer a bike seat because I can talk to ds, there is no road junk or car fumes kicking up in his face, and he is easier to see.   When you buy one, check the internal harness on it, the one I have I HATE because when ds leans forward it loosens right up making it useless.  Also its attached by the webbing put through holes in the plastic, folded over and sewn, so its easy to pull out (nothing holding it in except that the webbing is folded over) 

If you are worried about balance, get the bike seat that goes in front of you instead of behind you, they have a better center of gravity.  

A hemet should fit across the eyebrows and stay still when you push on it, the chin strap should be snug.  You should wear a helmet too. 

If you ride at night, reflective gear/flashing things are a good idea.   

Also I've seen people with flags on the back of the child's seat, I guess so they stand out more.  

[Chamomile Girl]

Originally Posted by leighi123 

I prefer a bike seat because I can talk to ds, there is no road junk or car fumes kicking up in his face, and he is easier to see.   When you buy one, check the internal harness on it, the one I have I HATE because when ds leans forward it loosens right up making it useless.  Also its attached by the webbing put through holes in the plastic, folded over and sewn, so its easy to pull out (nothing holding it in except that the webbing is folded over) 

If you are worried about balance, get the bike seat that goes in front of you instead of behind you, they have a better center of gravity.  

A hemet should fit across the eyebrows and stay still when you push on it, the chin strap should be snug.  You should wear a helmet too. 

If you ride at night, reflective gear/flashing things are a good idea.   

Also I've seen people with flags on the back of the child's seat, I guess so they stand out more.  

Oh my goodness I jut got this bike seat for my LO and I love it. LOVE it! We went riding this weekend and it was a great experience. His weight does not impede the balance of the bike at all, and I like that he is right in front of me so I can talk to him. He is 18mo btw.

Getting on and off the bike is a little treacherous and easier to do with help, but certainly doable alone. Make sure that you can touch the ground easily while sitting on the seat though...I can't as my bike is tall and that impedes the safety a bit I think.

We have this helmet...it works but its a bit on the large side.

[rcr]

We have an xtracycle, but we use our bike for transportation, so the expense is worth it. For a recreational cyclist, it probably doesn't make much sense. We used to have the same bike seat that Chamomile posted, but DS outgrew it by around 2 YO.

Three is a contingent out there that says that trailers are safer than bike seats, but we ride on busy roads, so I just didn't feel comfortable.

[cileag]

http://totcycle.com/blog/family-biking-ages-stages.html

I love this blog--it's a fantastic resource and such good inspiration for me to get out and ride.  We're debating this now too since we're big bikers, and our daughter is now finally big enough to ride with us.  We have a trailer but my husband really dislikes how it feels and so we're debating getting the xtracyle or the madsen.  So many choices and all too expensive!

[Chamomile Girl]

Originally Posted by rcr 

We have an xtracycle, but we use our bike for transportation, so the expense is worth it.

That is a very nice bike. Wow .

[mrskingred]

I've always used a trailer, but that's because DH and I ride v. nice road bikes. We bought a chariot CX1 when DS was born and have used it as a stroller, jogger and bike trailer. We both feel very confident using it on the road. We used it as a bike trailer when we lived in  PA and in various counties in the UK. We have only used it once as a bike trailer where we are at the moment, because its so hilly and DS is now 4.5, so we tend to go places that are flat so he can ride his bike. (He always wears a helmet and gloves, we do too). We always used the flag that came with the trailer (just switched sided depending on country)  and a flashing light on the back of the trailer.

[rcr]

Originally Posted by cileag 

http://totcycle.com/blog/family-biking-ages-stages.html

I love this blog--it's a fantastic resource and such good inspiration for me to get out and ride.  We're debating this now too since we're big bikers, and our daughter is now finally big enough to ride with us.  We have a trailer but my husband really dislikes how it feels and so we're debating getting the xtracyle or the madsen.  So many choices and all too expensive!

Not to hijack the thread, but Cileag, if I had to do it again, I think I would go with the Madson. I know the Madson is a little more expensive, but it is also easier to cover in case of rain, and carry more than two children, sleep in, and perhaps is a little more stable (not sure). Carrying two kids on the xtracycle does feel a little tippy, but I have never ridden a Madson, but It seems like it is made for carrying people, unlike the xtracylce which is made for many uses. Maybe that is because I have the old xtracycle that was sold as a kit (I don't know if they even do this anymore), and I put it on an old Mayata touring bike frame which is a mixte, so perhaps a "mens" bike would work better and feel more stable (even though the touring bike I have it on is really well-built and steel). Plus, we had a big problem with braking such a big and heavy bike, and because of the distance between the brakes and the front of the bike. I had to get fancy disc brakes a few months ago because I literally could not stop the bike (and I am not a fancy brake kind of person, I am an 80s steel lugged bike kind of person). They were really expensive, which made me think that I should have just gone with the Madson because that kind of stuff is already standard (although I think it is already standard on the big dummy sold by xtracycle now).

I also love totcycle.

[LaughingHyena]

I've used a seat and a trailer, they both have pros and cons for me. Most of my cycling is done on either quiet roads or pavements (our pavements are shared pedestrian and cycle paths)

I found the seat fine once I was on the bike but I did find it difficult to lift DS in and for me to get on the bike. Once he was about 3 he was getting to heavy for me to lift easily. Also if he didn't want to be in the seat (eg coming home from the playground) and was throwing himself around it did affect my balance. The seat was cheaper, smaller to store and I could still lock my bike up easily in the bike racks.

The trailer is more expensive and harder to store but once I started doing the school run by bike it became worth it. It's great to be able to easily carry stuff like school bags and shopping along with the kids. It's also much easier to get DS in and out of. It's very convenient that if DD is tired I can stick her scooter in the back and both kids can ride in the trailer. Thought at 4 and 6 it does give me quite a work out :lol Because of it's width I do find it a pain when I have to lock the bike up as it doesn't always fit in the rack. I also need two locks, one for the bike and one for the trailer.

[July09Mama]

Thanks everyone! I think it sounds like a seat on the bike might be best for us to start with, at least. We are car-free, so it would be nice to be able to haul dd and some stuff, but for now I think we'll try to break the bike in slowly and keep using the bus for big trips. I'd LOVE a big box bike, but for now it's just not in the budget. Maybe if I can prove to myself and dh that I really could bike a ton we could think about it!

[MiaFL]

My vote is for a trailer because they are very hard to tip.  While most rides are without incident, you really can't predict when a freak thing like a squirrel or a unleashed dog or a driver not paying attention will cause you to swerve or stop suddenly and crash.  The trailer makes your bike more stable but even if you do wreck, you're unlikely to tip the trailer.

[nextcommercial]

OK.. this was a long time ago.  Hopefully trailers have improved.  But, this is just something to think about...

When my daughter was a toddler, I bought a bike trailer.  We didn't use it very often, because I lived in a very rough neighborhood, and it didn't seem safe to be out at night.  But, on the few times I did use it, my daughter woke up each night with a back ache.  Eventually I put the two together that a bike ride = Back ache for her several hours later.  She'd also complain that her hips hurt.

I finally just quit using it because of the back pain, and the fact that I was afraid we were going to be killed by random gunfire.  When I moved, (to a safer neighborhood)  I sold it.  Then, a few years later, I had a friend who had a different kind of trailer, and she said her kids complained of leg and back pain after a bike ride too.  So, I wonder if trailers just don't offer the right kind of support and shock absorption as we think.  

[MiaFL]

Originally Posted by nextcommercial 

OK.. this was a long time ago.  Hopefully trailers have improved.  But, this is just something to think about...

When my daughter was a toddler, I bought a bike trailer.  We didn't use it very often, because I lived in a very rough neighborhood, and it didn't seem safe to be out at night.  But, on the few times I did use it, my daughter woke up each night with a back ache.  Eventually I put the two together that a bike ride = Back ache for her several hours later.  She'd also complain that her hips hurt.

I finally just quit using it because of the back pain, and the fact that I was afraid we were going to be killed by random gunfire.  When I moved, (to a safer neighborhood)  I sold it.  Then, a few years later, I had a friend who had a different kind of trailer, and she said her kids complained of leg and back pain after a bike ride too.  So, I wonder if trailers just don't offer the right kind of support and shock absorption as we think.  

Hmm, we have a pretty basic one and usually when we go out it's for 30 min to over an hour each way and DD has never complained.  Started using it when she was 2.5, she's nearly 4 now.  It might just depend on the child.
 

[TheGirls]

We have a trailer that I got very inexpensively off Craigslist.  It's definitely a cheap model, but DD (2.5yo) has never complained and LOVES to ride, usually begging for rides and complaining if I stop or  if we get too close to home.   I only regret that I won't be able to take her out much this year because her brothers are too young.  I haven't decided what to do next year when I'll have 3 (and they'll be 4, 1.5, & 1.5yo)  Those Madsens do look nice...

[galincognito]

Originally Posted by TheGirls 

I haven't decided what to do next year when I'll have 3 (and they'll be 4, 1.5, & 1.5yo)  Those Madsens do look nice...

i have seen people make a train on their bike by having bike, trail-a-bike, trailer.  might be an option that's less expensive than a madsen.