Take Your Child Bicycling with a Trailer Bike
February 28, 2010 by Nancy Sathre-Vogel · 2 Comments
If you've been bicycling with your children in a trailer, and are wondering if she is big enough to graduate to a trailer bike, chances are - maybe. Everything depends on your child, but most children will be ready to move onto a trailer bike by about age 3 or 4, at least for short rides. Some kids at that age will be able to ride across the country on a trailer bike!
Your child can be part of your team when she rides on a trailer bike (tag-along, trail-a-bike) - a one-wheeled contraption that hooks on to your bike. As long as she is tall enough to reach the pedals, she'll be able to ride safely. She will have her own little bike safely attached to yours.
Please consider all factors of the trailer bike - both advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages:
She is working right alongside you rather than being dead weight. As a team, you will climb hills together and will rejoice when you reach the top.
Since she has her own pedals, she can pedal or rest whenever she wants. Her feet move independently of yours so she is in control of her energy.
Disadvantages:
You will have to plan for rain or other inclement weather more carefully. In the trailer, it is easy to protect the child but is much more difficult on the trailer bike.
The gentle hum of the road may cause her to fall asleep. This can lead to a dangerous jerking of your bike - stop if you feel her swaying!
Cheaper trailer bikes do not come with gears, which means she will not be able to pedal going up hills. If you want to do any serious riding, you'll need to get gears on the trailer bike and teach her to use them.
Most children love bicycling with their trailer bikes, and you will love having your children with you!
Looking for info on bicycling with children, then visit www.familyonbikes.org to find the best advice on taking children bicycling.
Tags: Bicycles, bicycling with children, bikes, biking, children, Cycling, family, family bikes
