Biking with toddler in the Ergo?

[crunchy_mommy]

Would this be safe? Obviously if we could comfortably get him in their with that big helmet on... I'd do a back carry... he's small and fits comfortably in the Ergo so it sounds ideal but maybe I'm not thinking of something!

We don't have money for a bike trailer or anything right now (DH was laid off), but I'd still love to take him biking if it's safe. I think he'd love it. I'm not talking about anything high-speed, just a casual ride on the bike path or perhaps bring our bikes camping so we can bike the mile or two to get to the beach... Beach ride would be on the road but backroads that get no traffic and the main strip which is so much traffic that it's slow, basically stopped...

[chel]

I would. Assuming you felt your lo was very secure, not leaning backwards too much.
While not as safe in a fall as a trailer, think about all the kids around the world transported like this

[DahliaRW]

I woudln't think it's safe (and I'm pretty sure the ergo instructions say not to).  In a bike seat, the child is away from your body if you fall and has some shell around them.  With a trailer, even more protection.  In an ergo, if you fall you could end up falling with quite some force on top of your child.  It also will throw your balance of quite a bit as far as keeping yourself upright on your bike.  I don't think the risk is worth it just becuase you like to bike.  Maybe someone on freecycle has a bike seat they're done with.

[rcr]

No. It is absolutely not safe.

[Drummer's Wife]

I'm thinking no, it's not something I would be comfortable doing. Could you fit a bike helmet on an infant in an Ergo? I'm pretty sure you'd need one any other method of transporting on a bike (though - I guess it might depend on the specific bike trailer).

[leighi123]

I vote not safe.   

I got my bike seat on craigslist for $10.  Maybe look there for one. 

[swede]

I vote safe.  People  ride with babies on their backs all over the world.  If you are a confident cyclist, I would go for it.  I wouldn't do it is a heavy traffic area, but otherwise yes.   Have fun!

[leighi123]

Originally Posted by swede 

I vote safe.  People  ride with babies on their backs all over the world.  If you are a confident cyclist, I would go for it.  I wouldn't do it is a heavy traffic area, but otherwise yes.   Have fun!

People also don't use carseats in many countries.   Doesn't make it safe, just different.    (I grew up in China, lots of kids on bikes, no carseats/seatbelts in the cars, given those options the bike is safer) 

[Drummer's Wife]

I was just going to say many parents in Mexico don't use car seats, but that doesn't mean their babies are truly safe.


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[MsFortune]

I would not

[Asiago]

A good rule of thumb is 'if you wouldn't do something while pregnant, don't do it with baby in a carrier or sling.'

That said, if you buy a trailor or seat, I found this site to be helpful on safety: http://www.bhsi.org/little1s.htm 

Last year I purchased a bike seat. However after researching safety issues a bit have decided to wait until my 18 month old is sturdier. He must be able to withstand a fall (even with a helmet) and his neck and spine to withstand the jarring of road surfaces.

[APToddlerMama]

I would definitely not.  That really throws off your center of gravity which is important when biking. 

[crunchy_mommy]

I'm a little confused

I certainly rode my bike while pregnant, was I not supposed to????

My DS is 2.25, he's not an infant... and he has a bike helmet, he wears it when I push him in his push bike (just to get him used to the bike = helmet concept! plus he loves it...)

I walk, hike, etc. with him on my back and my balance is just fine.

I'm very interested in the reasoning everyone has and would like to hear more. I'm certainly not dead-set on doing this but I'd love to hear solid reasoning not just "No way."

[APToddlerMama]

I would ride my bike while pregnant but not with a kid in an ergo.  Mainly because it is a loooooooooooong fall for a baby or a two year old.  A kid can still take a pretty hard hit to the head even with a helmet with a fall like that and could get a concussion.  If I absolutely had to do it for some reason I probably would, but if it is just for pleasure, I wouldn't want to risk the fall.  I just don't see the point. 

[starling&diesel]

If your toddler is in a trailer and you fall, the trailer typically stays upright, or merely tips over, and if does happen to roll, the child is belted in and has some protection from the trailer frame, particularly overhead.

If your toddler is in a front or rear toddler seat, again, the molding of the seat and the buckles keep him safer.

If your toddler is on your back, you fall tandem.  Your child has no protection whatsoever, and could be much more seriously hurt, depending on the way that you fall and how fast you were going.

As an aside, my daughter's bike helmet wouldn't be very comfortable on her while she's in the Ergo.

Why would you choose to use an Ergo on a bike when it's not meant for that, and there are so many other approved and tested alternatives?  If price is an issue, like a previous poster suggested, CL is great for bike seats and trailers. 

[crunchy_mommy]

Originally Posted by starling&diesel 

Why would you choose to use an Ergo on a bike when it's not meant for that, and there are so many other approved and tested alternatives?  If price is an issue, like a previous poster suggested, CL is great for bike seats and trailers. 

Because I was wondering if biking with an Ergo WAS a good alternative. I didn't realize this was so clear-cut that I should've already known it was a bad idea.

I was thinking it would be nice because DS needs to be physically touching me to be consistently happy. I don't think a bike seat or a trailer would keep him content consistently enough to bother, at this point.

I guess we'll just wait 'til he can reach the pedals himself before we try biking.

[rcr]

There has been some research on this from the transportation research board (part of the national academies), I believe. It is most definitely not safe. I will try to find some links when I am not typing from my phone.

[MamitaM]

Originally Posted by rcr 

No. It is absolutely not safe.

I agree! I'm sorry but why one Earth would you think it's safe?

[ecoteat]

DH did this a couple times and I never liked it. He just went to the neighbor's (on our very rural dead-end road with almost no motor traffic), but I cringed as they pulled away. They were both fine, of course, but it still made me very nervous.

[prescottchels]

I think it should be more about what each of us is comfortable doing, not what others think is safe or not safe.

I agree with a previous poster who said if you're a confident bike rider then go for it.

Do a short test ride and if you feel safe and comfortable and babe is happy then by all means carry on. Personally, I would probably not wear my baby on a bike riding on city streets or sidewalks, but I think I would wear babe on bike rides on trails and beaches especially if they're mellow, low "traffic" rides.

I've used bike seats and trailers. Love the trailer, not so much the bike seat-those things really throw off my balance!

I can't imagine how a content baby would throw off your balance in a back carry...Thinking back to riding my bike to college w/a 30lb backpack and that never threw off my balance, why would a baby? If baby is thrashing around you're obviously gonna stop to tend to it, right?

I don't see the problem. Yes, it's a long ways to fall, but it all goes back to mama's confidence level on a bike, and she's obviously not going to wear her baby if she's a brand new bike rider.

Good Luck OP!