bike tralier or bike seat?

@mermaidivy (15395)
United States
April 20, 2011 11:22am CST
I am thinking about getting a bike seat for my baby to sit behind me when I ride my bicycle in the summer but I have searched online about it and it seems like lots of parents do the trailer thing instead of the seat, I didn't notice on the bicycle track before and of course they are not cheap. I woner if any of you have experience of this issue?
1 person likes this
8 responses
• Canada
20 Apr 11
I don't have experience with this myself, but I have noticed people more and more with those trailers when I'm out. I think that they may be safer, for both child and parent, having added weight on your bike would make it harder to stay in control of the bike. The trailers aren't adding much weight to the bike itself, and the weight that is there gets distributed evenly. They may be expensive, but I'm sure the expense is worth it if it's safer in the long run. And it's also beneficial as the child gets bigger and can't fit into the seat.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157651)
• United States
20 Apr 11
Good observations about balance. I only had a seat, and it did take more to control the bicycle. My daughter has hauled her five year old and two year old together. She said that got a little bit on the heavy side for a long ride.
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
20 Apr 11
I was concern about the balance as well.
• Canada
20 Apr 11
It would be very much of a concern having children in front or behind you on a bike seat for them. I've seen it both ways and have come to realize that it would be extremely dangerous in case of an accident. On busy streets here, it would be best for bikers with children to be on the sidewalk, especially ones with trailers. Even with a trailer, the road is a very dangerous place.
• United States
20 Apr 11
I did both of them while both of my kids where small. I did the seat for the older one and the trailer for the younger one. Ways to see it would be the seat if you are a confident rider and okay to balance while the baby is behind you. Also less to pack if you want to take the bike and seat while driving. The trailer great baby rests comfortably but be sure not to use while in traffic some cars cannot see the trailer below. Drawback with this is that the car has to be big enough so that you can fit the trailer in the car if you decide to drive to the beach with them. Outside of the above really a preference and depends where you use them. I truly enjoyed taking both of my kids and ride all over the beach areas, was really fun.
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@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
20 Apr 11
Good find, thank you! I'll look into it!
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
20 Apr 11
I wonder if the trailer is easy to pack and wonder if I can fit both the bike and the trailer in my car...
• United States
20 Apr 11
With so many compact things made today I am sure they probably make some type of fold-able ones. I just checked the net and guess what there are. I am sure there will be many but to give you an idea of one. Is that this one detaches like a car seat too. Just to give you an idea Not a referral link http://www.bicycletrailers.com/best-bicycle-trailers.cp
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
24 Apr 11
Ages ago I looked around a second hand baby goods shop and there I saw a trailer for two children that would connect to a bike. It had a roof so the children wouldn't get wet if it rained. I am friends with a lady that has a bike trailer similar to that for her 3 year old daughter. She says it is wonderful to ride around and have her daughter safely on the back in the trailer. It is a shame a trailer is expensive but it is far better than a bike seat.
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
25 Apr 11
It is expensive but it seems to be much safer than than bike seat.
@youless (112123)
• Guangzhou, China
21 Apr 11
In fact I think the trailier may be much more dangerous because it links to the bike behind you. If you turn around or something else, I am afraid it will hit something. Especially when it is behind you, you won't know what happens. I prefer to have a baby seat in the front bar of my bike. Here most baby seats are fixed in this position because your baby will be in front of you and it seems it is better for little child because he/she can't take care of himself/herself. I love China
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
21 Apr 11
The canal that I will ride on is straight and not busy, I think it won't be a big issue.
• United States
20 Apr 11
I never took my kids on bike rides anywhere. As you mentioned the trailers are expensive and we live in a spot where we'd have to pack up all the bikes in the to go for a ride and buy some sort of attachment to the back of the van to carry them all. Seems like alot of hassel especially when you don't have the money to spare for such things. You can find the trailers sometimes on craigslist cheaper than for new.
• United States
20 Apr 11
I have no idea if they collapse or not either as I've never had one. I would of liked one if our finances were better and we had a safe place to ride w/o having to haul everything somewhere else to be able to use it.
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
20 Apr 11
I wonder if I can fit the bike and the trailer in my car... I didn't even think about that, maybe I wno't be able to ride on the canal they don't all fit!
@nsawork (28)
• India
21 Apr 11
getting a bike seat is the best thing that you will like to do and in the future it willl also help you with the most of the needs. also because kids are more important than you can ever think i would highly recommend that you start using this as soon as possible. i have been using this since a long time
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
21 Apr 11
Thank you, I ahve been thinking about it.
@GardenGerty (157651)
• United States
20 Apr 11
I used a seat, my daughter uses a trailer. I think a trailer may be safer, and you can get one that will accommodate two children, in case you have another child. My daughter found it useful when she had a car problem but needed to get the five year old to preschool. I know they will not get dust in their eyes and things like that if riding in the trailer and they are more protected from wind and sun.
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
20 Apr 11
It sounds like the trailer will be a good choice
@chinchoy (191)
• Hong Kong
20 Apr 11
For the baby, the most important thing is that the trailer is more safe than riding in a seat on the bicycle. It is also much more comfortable. It also provides protections from the sun, or the rain. Some can carry more than one child and can be used as strollers too. It can also be used to carry a load, like groceries.
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
20 Apr 11
It sounds like the trailer would be a lot better idea for mainly the safety.