Do you have the bike skills and stamina to haul the load? The challenge will be even greater if you ride on hilly trails. But if you love to spend your weekends on bike trails, a trailer is a great way to get your little one (or two) in on the fun.Ĭonsider, too, that a bike trailer loaded with a couple of kids can weigh up to 100 pounds. Some models fold, which can make them more appealing if space is tight. If you're an occasional cyclist or have limited storage space in your home, a bike trailer probably isn't worth the trouble or expense. For example, the In Step Trailer Conversion Kit provides an easy way to transform a trailer into a stroller. Some bike trailers can also be converted to hiking or jogging strollers by purchasing an additional kit, something to think about when shopping. One example is the Chariot Bike Trailer Hitch Arm Lollipop. Most models have a hitching device that will keep the trailer steady if the bike tips over. Even then, they should have an orange safety flag that's 3½ feet to 7 feet high. Bike trailers should only be used on trails, never where there is vehicular traffic.
BELL BIKE TRAILER MANUAL DRIVERS
But this low profile makes them difficult for drivers to see. Unlike bike seats, trailers are low to the ground, which can reduce possible injuries from falls. Exceeding the limit can compromise the bike trailer's structure.Ĭhildren are seated, strapped into the carriers, and usually enclosed in a zippered compartment that protects them from the elements. All models have a weight limit that ranges from 85 to 125 pounds (this range sounds quite high for kids who are only 1 to 6 years old). Some models carry one child others can carry two. They can carry children ages 1 to 6 years. These look like little sidecars attached to a bike's rear axle or frame. A child would have a fall of about 3 feet from a mounted bike seat, which increases the possibility and potential severity of an injury. This can be unnerving or just annoying, depending on your cycling abilities.
(They face forward.) The added weight of a bicycle-mounted seat can affect the handling of the bike. These are placed behind or in front of a cyclist's seat and can be used with children ages 1 to 5. Check out our bike helmet buying advice and kid and toddler bike helmet Ratings (available to subscribers). Children under 1 aren't ready for a helmet and therefore shouldn't be taken on bike rides in any kind of seat or trailer. Whichever you choose, make sure your child is wearing a bicycle helmet.
There are three basic ways to tote your child along on a bike ride: seats that mount on your bike, bike trailers, and trailer cycles. Here's a guide to bike trailers (our choice for safety) and bicycle-mounted child seats that will let you take your child on your two-wheeled adventures long before she's ready for training wheels. One of the great pleasures of parenting is sharing activities with your kids, including bike riding.