For many parents with young children, the idea of a day out on a bicycle may seem remote unless the kids are old enough to cycle by themselves. Whilst trailer bikes are a good option for children between the ages of 4 and 9, toddlers and babies are too small so parents are often restricted to riding solo whilst their partner looks after the kids.
A child trailer is a buggy attached to an adult bike and offers a great way of “carrying” smaller children whilst allowing the entire family to enjoy a full day out cycling.
Features to Look For When Buying a Child Trailer
- Most child bicycle trailers can accommodate two small children or one large one.
- The carried weight limit is around 100 lb. or 45 kg, so with a trailer weight of around 30 lb. or 14 kg, total pulling weight can be up to 130 lb. or 59 kg.
- Seats can be either basic hammock style or more comfortable padded seats for extra comfort.
- Restraining harnesses, usually five point, are standard on most models.
- Look for good visibility via see-through plastic windows. Better models have additional roll-up mesh windows for hot days.
- Hitch attachment to the host bike should be strong and secure for maximum safety.
- Foldability is common for easy storage and transportation.
- Better quality models have quick release wheels with alloy rims and hubs to prevent rust. Some also come with suspension and parking brakes.
- Look for waterproof outer fabric with taped seams to prevent water seepage or inclusion of a rain cover.
- Newborns can be carried in some high end models capable of taking specially designed child trailer baby seats.
- Models in the US must conform to ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards. There are no specific safety standards in the UK but all models must carry the CE mark.
Advantages of Using a Child Trailer
A family day out on the bike is not the only use for a child trailer as the buggy can also be used to carry shopping or even the family pet! Plus super active parents may want to jog or even ski with their child trailer using the appropriate accessory conversion kits. Key advantages are:
- They do not affect bike handling unlike child seats which affect weight distribution and rider balance.
- They have a longer life span than child seats; although they cost more, some models can be converted to a pram for easy shopping trips.
- They are a great option for keen cyclists wanting to rack up the miles without neglecting the kids.
- Resale value, as with bike trailers, is very good.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Child Bike Trailer
- Trailers can get very dirty but at least the child stays dry when the rider gets wet!
- The long length of a bike plus child trailer can make riding difficult around tight corners.
- Hire a child trailer to test one before buying. Public parks and popular cycling venues often have buggies for hire and other families using child trailers are a great source of information and experience.
Bicycle Child Trailer Brands
Burley and Chariot are key top end brands for quality, design and high safety standards. Burley has some delightful designs too including the Tiger (see picture below) with ultra cool looks. Other brands to consider are Schwinn, Croozer, Instep and, in the UK, Ridgeback. Expect to pay between $200 to $800 depending on features and quality required.
Cycling with Children
Child trailers offer a safe way for active parents to get outdoors with their kids at almost any age. Consider buying one when children are very young then look to sell it on when the child is old enough to either ride a tag along bicycle or a bike of their own.
Related Articles
You may also be interested in Trailer Bikes for Children with Special Needs.
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