Bike seats and trailers

Long gone are the days when the only way to take a passenger on your bike was to 'give them a backie' - there's now a vast choice of safe and stylish ways to transport your toddler. Your local bike shop should be able to help you choose the best kit for your requirments.

Child seats

From around 12 months when a baby can support it's head with a helmet on, little ones can be carried in a rear or front mounted child seat. Straps and padded headrests are essential because children will sometimes nod off on a ride. Good foot support will certainly make the journey much more comfortable for children and good padding protects young bottoms from bumps. When shopping for a child seat it's a good idea to look for one that can grow with your child and always check your child is within the weight range of the one you choose.

Rear-mounted seat

These are widely available, cost effective and with the added advantage that some models recline so your toddler can sleep. On the downside, you can't talk easily to your toddler and, of course, you'll be obscuring their view.

Front-mounted seat

The plus side of having your little one up front is that you can talk to them as you pedal and they can see where you're going. A front mounted seat makes getting on and off your bike easier than a rear mounted seat, as you can hop on the bike and lift your child up, rather than holding the weight of the bike and the child upright as you climb on yourself. A drawback, however, is that it can affect your steering and balance.

Trailer

Trailers are great eco-friendly solutions for travelling with young children - be it on a family jaunt or the school run. Most can be used for babies from around 12 months when they can support their own head although some makes can be equipped to carry younger babies. If you intend to carry a young baby in the trailer it's best to check with the trailer manufacturer first. Often parents carry babies by strapping car seats into the trailer but this practice is not recommeded by car seat or trailer manufacturers.  

Trailers come in single or double versions and are fully waterproof, come with sun nets and also give you room to carry your shopping. Some models even double up as buggies and cross country strollers. It's worth bearing in mind that the cheaper the trailer you buy, the heavier it will tend to be. Trailers can also be difficult to carry up and down steps and require storage space at home.

Freight/Cargo bike

Freight bikes, also known as cargo bikes, might be relatively expensive but they're a great option if you want to transport several children (and your cargo!) by bike. Many have three wheels and the kids sit in a sturdy box in front of you, safely strapped in with a safety harness. Some come with fittings for a baby car seat and you can seat older children on the back. Cargo bikes for kids were invented in Holland where it's very flat so you might find their weight an uphill struggle.

Tag-along trailer bike

Tag-alongs (the back half of a child's bike attached to the back half of an adult one) allow a child to be towed. They're great as your child can add some of their own pedal power, or just freewheel and enjoy the ride. You can attach these to any bike, including a tandem.