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Riding With A Baby Or Little Kid? How To Change The Way You Ride

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riding with a baby

Lots of people say that once you have kids your riding days are over. That is not true! You will have time to yourself to ride eventually, although maybe not in the first week or two of having a baby. You will also find that a bicycle is a great way to travel with your kids. You can get exercise and they get a great view of the world. There are a few things to keep in mind when you are riding with a baby to keep everyone safe and happy.

Shiny Side Up

Out on your training ride when you fall, it is only you that gets road rash filled with gravel and other road debris. If you dump it when you are riding with a baby or little kid, you are going to give road rash to said baby. DO NOT DO THAT.

Dial back your risk taking and temper your speed expectations. Riding with a baby is a utility – you can travel places efficiently while enjoying the outdoors. You are not going to develop top end fitness and work on your handling skills. Give yourself plenty of space and time to get to where you are going safely.

Keeping it safe might also mean that you have to drive somewhere that is easier to navigate with a kid. Do not worry; this will not last forever. Kids grow up and will eventually be able to ride on the same roads you ride currently. Your current job is to instill a love of riding in them right now so it will last a lifetime. It is a temporary concession so you can make them successful riders too.

The Equipment for Riding with a Baby or Young Child

Baby Seat

The easiest way to get riding with a baby is to attach a baby seat to one of your current bikes – either on the top tube or off a rack on the back. There are weight limits and your kid will outgrow the seat within a couple of years. It is also great if you want to keep your kids close.

Trailer

A trailer’s utility goes beyond hauling your kids around; you can haul other stuff too when they are not there. You can also use your current bike with a trailer. Be prepared to feel the trailer pulling you back as you climb or pushing you forward as you descend. A quality trailer is quite safe. The frame acts as a roll cage in the event it tips over. Some trailers even convert to strollers. It is a handy multipurpose tool.

Bakfiets

Bakfiets long

A bakfiets, or box bike, is the ultimate in kid transportation. They have an unobstructed view from their seats. The bike itself is purpose built for hauling people and cargo. Because of the long wheelbase, it is very stable. It is a solid machine without the lag of a trailer or high center of gravity like a baby seat. Its biggest drawback is price, but if you see a lot of riding with multiple kids along the way, it is well worth the investment. Additionally, you will make many friends with your unique bike and drivers will stay far away because they have no idea what to make of it.

Additional Equipment

Protect your kids’ heads like your own and put a helmet on them in case of the unfortunate fall. Lights are also a great idea, even in broad daylight. Drivers tend to give more space if they see lights (but no guarantee if they are looking at their phones). A tall flag is also a necessity so others can see where the bike is even through traffic. Basically anything that enhances visibility is a good thing.

Keep Them Happy

Like any trip out of the house with your kids, be sure to be prepared with snacks, waters, extra clothes, fun things to do in case you run into boredom, sunscreen, etc. You know what your kids like; bring it. Make sure they have good associations with riding bikes. They should have fun, you should have fun. If you that happens, everyone wins.

Treading Lightly

If you need more convincing that riding with a baby is a good idea, there are couple of elements to think about:

  • No more getting in a blazing hot car on a sunny day. Nobody gets burned by seatbelt buckles. You want to ride your bike on nice summer days anyway.
  • Less pollution because you are riding means you are leaving a better world for your kids.
  • This is repetitive, but you are teaching your kids that riding is fun and a part of their lives.
  • It is far more social than driving. You see other people out in the open, where you can interact with them.
  • It is far easier to swing your bike off the side of the road or path to check out interesting things. This is especially great for curious kids. They are not watching the world go by at fifty five miles per hour.

Keep it Safe, Keep it Fun

Riding with a baby, and as they grow, is a great way to introduce them to the joy of riding a bike. Riding in a safe and positive manner leaves them with good associations of the bike. They will be on the road to a lifetime of riding with your help.

Cycling With A Baby – Safe Options

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cycling with a baby1
Strangely enough, online research is relatively scarce on cycling with a baby because in the United States it’s not that common when compared with the rest of the world. In the US, it seems that what research there is, is focused mostly on negative assumption. Most of the good information comes from international sources where cycling with babies is widespread. While child carrying devices for cars are heavily regulated and tested, the bicycling industry is a whole different animal in the US. With that being said, cycling with a baby can be done safely when common sense is applied.

Cycling With a Baby

The Dutch point of view is that cycling with a baby is safe and it’s perfectly natural to cycle with a newborn. Brits are more likely to cycle with a baby at nine months old. Americans tend to wait until their baby is at least one year old. Bike shops and cycling organizations typically advise you not to cycle with a baby until they are nine months old and are able to sit up. One year old is better but it is generally agreed that nine months is a safe age to start cycling. The the BSHI recommends not putting a child in a helmet before the age of one year.

Do You Feel Safe

But if you cycle with a baby before these recommendations, are you a bad parent? — Absolutely not. Look at bicycle commuters, women, and men who travel only by bike. It’s going to be fine, and sometimes necessary. Regardless of what your friends, family, bike shops, and helmet manufacture’s advise, the most important thing is that you believe your baby is old enough and that you feel safe with them on board. If you don’t feel safe or sure, then it’s definitely too soon to go cycling with a baby. But if you’re desperate to cycle with your baby and feel that it would be safe to do so, then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t.

What Officials Say

Chris Juden, senior technical officer at the CTC, the national cycling organization, who was also on the committee responsible for the European Standard on bicycle child seats (EN14344), sums up cycling with a baby like this:

“It’s not so much a question of age, but of physical development. Infants vary a lot as to the age at which they are able to sit up unaided (as in sitting in the middle of the carpet, playing with toys etc), which is when they are ready to ride in the usual sort of a bicycle child seat. Usually this is about nine months. And the length of your cycling with a baby between stops, should not exceed the length of time they are content to do that.”

Pediatrician Advice

If you are unsure if you should be cycling with a baby yet, ask your pediatrician if your child is ready.

Fear of Falling

One of the most obvious worries of cycling with a baby is the possibility of falling. Many parents may argue that they rarely fall off of their bike. The probability of having a fall while cycling with a baby on board is low – much lower than falling down the stairs while having a baby in your arms.

Three Options

Three types of baby carriers typify whats out there; rear-mount seats, front-mount seats, and trailers.

Rear Mount rear mounted baby seat

Back or rear-mounted seats are the most widely used bike seats for cycling with a baby. They fit over the back wheel and usually have a high back and raised sides, leg guards, and a harness. Here’s a few characteristics:

  • Pro: Babies are well supported if they want to sleep.
  • Pro: You can use the seat to carry shopping items when you don’t have your baby on board.
  • Con: Carrying extra weight on the back of the bike at this height can make your bike top heavy.
  • Con: You can’t see what your child is up to while you’re cycling and your baby can’t see much.

Front-Mount front mount baby seat

Your baby sits in front of you. You place your arms around the seat to steer. Because your arms have to go around the seat and your vision of the road needs to be clear, front-mounted seats are more minimalist than rear-mounted seats.

  • Pro: Closer contact with your child and your child is always visible to you.
  • Pro: More fun for the baby.
  • Con: Can affect the bike’s maneuverability with the weight on the handlebars.
  • Con: Although popular in mainland Europe, front-mount seats can be hard to find.

Trailers to Tow child bike trailer

Trailers behind your bike are often attached to your bike via the rear axle and skewer. The are better as your child grows older as there is less support for a baby.

  • Pro: Lower to the ground, safer in a falling accident.
  • Pro: Easier to handle, more maneuverable as it doesn’t affect the steering or leaning of the bike.
  • Lots of cargo space when carrying or not carrying a baby.
  • Con: Difficult to see for motorists.
  • Con: Wider, can hook on objects, stick out into traffic.
  • Con: Heavier, harder to stop.

The Verdict on Safety

All types of bicycle carriers have safety issues. The American Academy of Pediatric’s position is that it’s preferable for a child to ride in a bicycle trailer rather than a front or rear-mounted bicycle seat. The reasoning: “because a young passenger on an adult’s bike makes the bike unstable and increases braking time.” The AAP says that a mishap at any speed on a bicycle-mounted seat could cause significant injury to a child.

One More Option

The Taga 3 in 1 Baby Stroller Bike 3 Wheel 16” Pushchair Carrier Folding Mother’s Bicycle is yet another option to take a look at. This version of a bike with carrier is genius and should be considered for cycling with a baby.

Tips For Cycling With a Baby

  • It’s not recommended taking a baby for a ride who can’t support his or her own head – or until the time he or she can wear a cycling helmet. Your baby should also be able to sit well unaided.
  • Wearing a cycle helmet reduces the risk of head and brain injury. You and your child should always wear a helmet when on a bike.
  • Check with the bike retailer that your bike is suitable for use with a particular type of child seat or trailer as not all bike designs are suitable with baby seats.
  • Make sure your seat has footrests to prevent your child’s feet from becoming caught in the spokes of the wheel.
  • Child seats for cycles should carry BSI number BS EN 14344:2004 to comply with required safety standards.

Weight, Safety, and Bike Integrity

The added weight factor can also cause parts on your bike to fail or come loose. More than one headset, stem, or handlebar fitting has come loose under this kind of load. It will cause you to go down hard should this occur. Always, always double check critical bolts before cycling with a baby on board your bike. Practice getting on and off the bike and riding with the carrier before heading out into traffic with your baby.

Choices and Choices

The type of carrier you choose also depends on where you live. Do you live in a small town?  A city with lots of hills?  Miles from your daily destinations? Lots of traffic? Having an idea of how far you will ride on a typical day, on what routes, and over what terrain will help you decide on the right bike set-up and route that keeps you safe and out of traffic. Rural roads, country roads, bike paths, and designated bike lanes are all good choices from a safety standpoint. Try to avoid rugged or torn up potholed road surfaces.

Never Trust Anyone

Never place your trust in other vehicles. Never trust that a vehicle sees you. You never have to be hit by a car when cycling with a baby. Practice and think about riding defensively. Always have a plan B or a way out of any dangerous situation. Think.

An Extensive Safety List

Accidents or incidences where your baby is hurt because you go cycling with a baby does not have to happen. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has prepared this extensive list to help keep you safe when cycling with a baby on board.

Future Cyclists

Cycling with a baby introduces your child to the joys of cycling at an early age while you also get to get out and ride where you otherwise might not be able to. What more could you ask for.

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