Bike seat or trailer for baby/toddler?

ebp913 · November 2012

I am looking into either a bike trailer or bike seat attachment for our daughter. Any one have one that they really love? Our DD is 1 now but we are expecting another in March if that matters. We plan to bike a lot over the coming years so we'll eventually have to transport 2 kids when #2 is old enough to ride with us.

I've seen the seats that attach to the front of the bike, the ones that attach to the back and the trailer and I just don't know which one is best and most practical. Thanks!

martha919 · November 2012

A friend of mine worked in an ER for many years and said she saw a lot of kids who were hit by cars in the trailer because they weren't nearly as visible as those in the seat that attaches to your seat. The little trailer thing sits so low, and even if it's bright it can be hard for a driver to see (especially in a taller vehicle). It may be that the trailer is technically safer for some reason, but that was just my friend's experience. It was enough to make me want to avoid them when the time comes.

That being said, if there is no technical safety difference, I would think that you could put two in the trailer so that would be more convenient. Sorry I couldn't be of more help!

shediva1 · November 2012

https://www.kmart.com/kent-kangaroo-center-mounted-child-carrier/p-080W002364484001P?prdNo=25&blockNo=75&blockType=G75

Hey ebp! We have this one and J loves sitting in it. We bought the one that sits right behind the adult, but that didn't fit too well since the handle bar of the kid seat was all up on DH's rear, so we returned it.

honeybee111 · November 2012

We have this trailer: https://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Joyrider-Bicycle-Trailer-Gray/dp/B001GAPU6C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352247646&sr=8-1&keywords=schwinn+joyrider

We only ride with DD on protected roads, so no cars. Our reason for picking the trailer over the attached seat, is if there ever was an emergency where we fell off our bikes or the bikes tipped over, DD would be going with the bike. The trailer doesn't have that problem - it's very stable. The trailer can fit 2 kids, and it can also be used as a double stroller. I think it's one of the bigger/heavier ones, but it's large enough to last DD for a while. She'll be 3 in Jan., and has been riding in it since she was 1. She loves it - even did 2 biking events with it.

gimmietimmies · November 2012

honeybee111:
We have this trailer: https://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Joyrider-Bicycle-Trailer-Gray/dp/B001GAPU6C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352247646&sr=8-1&keywords=schwinn+joyrider

We only ride with DD on protected roads, so no cars. Our reason for picking the trailer over the attached seat, is if there ever was an emergency where we fell off our bikes or the bikes tipped over, DD would be going with the bike. The trailer doesn't have that problem - it's very stable. The trailer can fit 2 kids, and it can also be used as a double stroller. I think it's one of the bigger/heavier ones, but it's large enough to last DD for a while. She'll be 3 in Jan., and has been riding in it since she was 1. She loves it - even did 2 biking events with it.

This is pretty much us, except we've owned Chariot Carriers for 14 years. Our big reasons included the tipping factor, if we go down, so does kid. And I've used the bike mount carriers, I don't find them at at great for riding with, it really interferes. There are more of those involved in injuries in our area than the trailers, there haven't been an reported accidents in a city of one million plus in he last ten or more years. Just aholes gunning for Olympic Athletes trying to train. Or people riding on major highways that aren't experienced cyclists. We also have a crazy amount of bike trails too, that does make a difference in the busy areas.

hmp1 · November 2012

We have a schwinn trailer, mainly for the two seats and tipping factor. Plus, I like having the storage for drinks, snacks, blanket... We only ride in our neighborhood and trails. We have a big orange flag, but I am not concerned about it being hit. We take my almost 2 year old and our 5 year old neighbor out all the time. They fit fine together.

MouseInLux · November 2012

Nether method is safe so even though DH and I like to bike together we're waiting until DD is old enough to ride her own bike and this LO too.

ebp913 · November 2012

MouseInLux:
Nether method is safe so even though DH and I like to bike together we're waiting until DD is old enough to ride her own bike and this LO too.

To be honest I appreciate your opinion but I don't really care. Nothing is really safe. riding in car isn't safe, flying isn't safe but you do what you do.

We will be biking with our daughter.

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions! I think the trailer is probably more practical but maybe we would get the Kangaroo seat for the next 1.5 years until #2 is big enough to ride in the trailer with Olivia. I'll talk to my husband and see what he thinks!

karen_loy · November 2012

IMO trailers are dangerous (unless you only bike in parks/bike trails); we have the seat that goes in the back and DS has always liked it; he's been using it since he was around 14m and he's getting his own bike this christmas (25m)

GypsyEsq · November 2012

This site has good info on the relative safety of each option https://www.ibike.org/education/infant.htm

hmp1 · November 2012

MouseInLux:
Nether method is safe so even though DH and I like to bike together we're waiting until DD is old enough to ride her own bike and this LO too.

Because a small bike and a child that can fall off or dart into traffic is safer? *Insert eyeroll*

frasey · November 2012

for many of the same reasons PPs posted above, we will be getting a seat for our bike as opposed to a trailer. Havent decided which one yet tho, so Im keeping my eye open for suggestions and reviews.

myluckypig · November 2012

All I have to say is before you buy make sure you are in shape and a good bike rider. I bought one thinking it would be a great way to exercise and lose the extra baby weight. I could barely pull that darn thing a couple houses down the road! I am not really out of shape, I am 5'6" and 125 lbs....but darn that thing is hard! :-) ha ha

ali26 · November 2012

We have the Burley Bee trailer. I wouldn't want to use a trailer on roads with traffic but we just take it out on a bike path. I think when you don't have to worry about cars the trailer is safer bc it is surrounded by an aluminum frame and if the bike tips the trailer doesn't.

My daughter really enjoys the trailer. She an bring toys and a drink in it with her and if its cooler we can use the cover and give her a blanket to stay warm. If she was in a seat we wouldn't have these options and I'm not sure she'd enjoy it as much. She has even fallen asleep in it several times so it must be comfy!

The two main drawbacks I can think of for a trailer are that it does make pedaling significantly harder. DD is 30 pounds and while our trailer can hold one or two I really can't picture pulling double her weight. Also, it takes a longer time to brake/slow down so if you bike on hills a seat may be better for those reasons.

MouseInLux · November 2012

hmp&mrj:
MouseInLux:
Nether method is safe so even though DH and I like to bike together we're waiting until DD is old enough to ride her own bike and this LO too.
Because a small bike and a child that can fall off or dart into traffic is safer? *Insert eyeroll*

Who said we will be taking them into traffic? My child's life will not be subject to me falling over with my bike or a car not seeing me. I did research and this is what I found.

ebp913 · November 2012

Thanks for everyone's input! That article kinda made me see that the front mounted seat is the best fit for us for now. We will be riding in areas where there are cars like our neighborhood and I think the trailer is just added bulk that we don't need for now. Plus, we plan to ride our bikes to local sports and events and locking the bikes up with the trailer just seems like a mess.

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