Bike Seats and Bike Trailers

If you love cycling, chances are you'll want you children to love it to. And who can blame you! Bicycling is one the finest family activities out there, and a sport your child will enjoy for years. Getting your small child involved in bicycling as a passenger is the first step. For most of us, riding a bike around the neighborhood nearly defines childhood itself! But at what age can your little one come along, and what is the best way to transport your child on a bike? There is much debate over which passenger restraining system is best: a child bike seat or a child bike trailer. Read on to educate yourself on some pros and cons of each, and then decide for yourself.

If you're like most cyclists we know, you were thinking of ways to get your child out on the bike with you before they even came home from the hospital. So, a likely question arises... at what age can my child ride as a passenger on my bike? It is generally agreed amongst safety professionals that children under the age of 1 year should not be a passenger on a bicycle- period. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics cautions that even at 1 year, some children may not have the neck muscles needed to support good head control while riding as a passenger. Your best bet is to put the idea on the back burner until your child turns 1 year of age, and then run the proposal by his/her pediatrician. Don't forget to check the laws in your state too.

While we'll leave the safety professionals to debate over which bicycle restraining system is safest, but most investigations reveal that a child bike seat and a child bike trailer are about equally safe. Clearly, precautions taken by the driver of the bike can't be overstated. So, putting the safety debate aside, which is the right passenger restraining system for your family? It is critical that you give serious thought to what type of cycling you intend to do. Thinking a few laps around the neighborhood on a Sunday afternoon? Adventure bound weekend + camping excursion? Urban touring? As you ponder the future of peddling with your little one, be sure to keep the following differences between child bike seats and child bike trailers in mind.

Price tag.
A significant distinction between a child bike seat (rear or front-mounted) and a child bike trailer is cost. New bike seats range $100-$200, but you'd be hard-pressed to find a new trailer for less than $200 and many reach the $600 mark. However, a trailer offers the benefit of doubling as a mini storage facility, and some high-end trailers sport multi use, such as converting into a jogging stroller, cross-country skiing trailer, or hiking trailer. Another bonus: trailers can usually accommodate two children, and they are often suitable for children even 4 years of age, and up to about 100 pounds! Clearly, with regard to functionality we aren't comparing apples to apples here, but the trailer's heavy price tag it is worth a mention.

Interface.
The interaction you experience with your child while they ride in front-mounted bike seat is incredible. You can share the sights, sounds and smells of the ride, and on a practical note, communication is very easy. However, the child bike trailer has its own advantages. A child riding snuggly in a trailer is able to play with a small toy, drink from their sippy cup, snack, and generally sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. A child using a bike seat should not be allowed to play with small toys, or other objects due to the danger of the toy becoming lodged in the spokes. Or, a more likely scenario: child drops toys at some unknown spot during an otherwise enjoyable ride... you spend the rest of the day looking for said toy while he/she cries uncontrollably. Front-mounted bike seats help many parents feel more relaxed because their child is closer- allowing them to better attend to their needs. Front-mounted bike seats also offer your child the exhilarating feeling of "riding a bike"- wind in their hair (through their helmet vents of course) and all, but trailers offer protection from the sun (even special UV protection) and those random irksome insects. Regardless of which child passenger system you choose, invest in a quality rear-view mirror and be sure to have it placed correctly before you start out on your ride.

Transportation & Maneuverability.
Transportation and maneuverability can play a considerable role in your decision to choose a bike seat over a trailer. Bike seats are narrow, and lightweight- usually weighing between 6-8 pounds. Even the highest quality, state of the art, sleek trailers are a bit bulky (often around 35"x30"x12" when folded), and heavier- weighing in around the twenty-five pound mark. With all the other gear kids require, finding room in your vehicle (or house!) for this added piece may be tricky. Once you hit the road, a trailer's larger foot-print takes a bit of getting used to, and can prove cumbersome on trails that suddenly turn narrow, or in urban areas. If you live in a situation that requires you carry your bike up or down stairs, you'd likely find the bike seat easier to manage. However, as we have noted, a bike trailer is much more versatile than a child bike seat, and this may negate the need for bringing along other "kid gear" such as a jogger. Additionally, trailers offer detachable wheels and even come with covers for roof rack storage. The bottom line: if a trailer is what you decide fits your needs best, you'll find a place to store it.

Both child passenger systems have several noteworthy distinctions. Deciding which one meets the needs of your family depends greatly upon what type of bicycling you intend to enjoy with your little one. Ponder your needs, and decide what works for your family. Then, hit the road (or the trail) and get that kid cycling!