Knowing where you want to ride with your child/children can help you understand what is the best kids bike seat option for your family.
Get the right solution for riding with a 2-4year old on bikepaths so you can SMILE when you ride.
Where you want to ride with your child now and as they grow can influence what is the right kids bike seat or towed solution for your family. To be confident when you ride and have safe and enjoyable experiences together it is best to have a kids bike seat or towed solution that works best for the environments you want to ride in.
In this story we are considering your Kids Seats and Towed Options for riding with a 1 year old on Bikepaths. For other riding environments see
Biking on Bikepaths with a 2-4 year old in a Kids Bike Seat or Trailer.
Key Considerations:
Riding a bike on bikepaths that are away from traffic on sealed or compacted gravel provide a comfortable and relaxing way for your family to enjoy and improve your riding As bikepaths offer this relaxed riding environment… most seats and trailers will be suitable in this environment. As riding on a bikepaths provides little limitation to your options it may be best to use other factors to determine your best solution for your family..
Options for riding with a 2-4 year old on bikepaths
- Bike Trailers – All bike trailer options are suitable – if planning to stick to mainly sealed bikepaths then the recreation trailer is your best match. If you plan to ride on gravel trails then the off-road trailer should be considered.
- Mid Seats – all options suitable – choose your best match.
- Rear Kids Bike Seat – All rear kids bike seat options for 1-6yr olds are suitable – choose your best match.
- Tow Frame – Follow Me Tandem – Towing Kids who ride their own bike. Suitable from 3 years.
- Front Kids Bike Seat – All front bike seat options are suitable – note that due to age and weight restrictions there will be limited time to use as only suitable up to the age of 3 years or 17kg.
1. Recreation or Off-Road Multi-Use Trailer
BIKE TRAILERS are suitable for a 1 yr old to… Single Trailer – 1 child up to 36kg… Double Trailer – 1 or 2 children up to a total of 45kg.
- The recreation trailer is best suited to riding on smooth surfaces. If you plan only to ride on sealed bikepaths and some well compacted gravel then the recreation trailer is a suitable option for you. It is multi-use so you can easily convert it to a stroller/buggy while out and about making for some great recreating opportunities and fun with a young child.
- The off-road trailer with adjustable suspension is suited to a wider variety of surfaces, It can make the ride/walk/jog a lot more comfortable for you and your child when on bikepaths that are gravel or are bumpy. This multi-use trailer is easily converted to a stroller/buggy while out and about making for some great recreation opportunities and fun with a young child.
- As the trailer is enclosed providing your child/children with their own cosy space it helps to protect your child from the surrounding environment and weather. This can widen the conditions you feel comfortable riding in. It can make the experience more enjoyable and relaxing for you if you get caught out in weather. It can be a little more difficult to monitor the comfort and mood of your young child when using as a bike trailer however regular stops can resolve this.
- Your child will be kept safe and secure while seated in the trailer with a quality harness. There are accessories available that can assist in your child’s comfort. Please see Accessories Support for more information
- Making sure your child is comfortable with clothing to match the temperature can help make sure they are happy for longer providing you with the opportunity to enjoy more time riding together
- Riding on bikepaths is a great relaxing way to begin riding with your child… however it is still advisable that you get prepared before you ride as you may be blessed with only a small window of time… so let’s make the most of it. Please read… Riding Safely with a Kids Bike Trailer.
- The recreation trailer does not have additional storage. If you are using your trailer to commute/as a means of transport and you need to carry additional gear/groceries then the off road trailer is a better option for you. For more detailed comparison between trailers please see Trailer Comparison.
1. Mid Mount Kids Bike Seats
Mid Mount Seats suitable from 2 years old..the age and weight restrictions are dependent on the seat you choose
- Best suited to riding bikepaths that you feel confident and capable riding on.
- These seats has no harness so suits kids that have good balance. Your child will develop a feel for riding as they will learn to lean with the bike as you ride together.
- There are different mid mount seats available =- choose your best match
- With your child positioned between your arms, they feel safe. and you can see and understand their comfort and mood. You will enjoy the view and environment together as you create some wonderful riding moments and memories.
- With your child seated in front of you ( between your chest and the handlebars) there is a change to the feel of your riding compared to riding solo. You will need to learn to adjust. Skills such as getting on and off the bike as well as how you move on the bike with changes in the terrain will all be altered. See our story to understand more. How does it feel riding with a mid mount seat
- Works best with medium or larger bike frames as larger sized frames provide the space between your chest and the handlebars you need to enjoy riding with this seat.
- To help you prepare to ride with this seat see….Riding safely with a Mod Mount Kids Bike Seat.
2. Rear Kids Bike Seat
Bike Carrier and Bike Frame Mount options. Suitable for 1-6years up to 22kg
- Your child feels safe and protected from the weather tucked in behind you. With bikepaths providing a safe and quieter riding space you can easily monitor the comfort and mood of your baby/toddler when positioned behind you as it is easy to hear them. Riding on Bikepaths makes it easy to stop regularly and check on them if needed.
- The seat is designed to support your child in sitting making it a suitable option for riding early with your baby/toddler when they are well balanced in unsupported sitting.
- A secure harness system keeps your baby toddler well supported and secure.
- Rear seats offer you a family riding option for a wide age range 1 through to 6 years – so you have lots of time and opportunity to enjoy and grow your family riding and create plenty of riding memories.
- Riding on bikepaths provides you with a relaxed and comfortable space to get used to the change in feel of the bike with the increase in weight at the rear. This is just a change that you will easily adapt to with some practise. To help you be prepared before you ride on bikepaths please read Riding Safely with a Rear Kids Bike seat
- You will know this from when you ride that it can be quite cold on a bike due to the increased air flow. Remember this is accentuated for your young child. They are small and they are not active on a bike seat You need to ensure they are maintaining a comfortable temperature throughout the ride.
- Visibility can still be important on bikepaths so the adult rider should consider wearing bright clothing, and the adult and child a bright helmet.
2. Tow Frame – Follow Me Tandem
Suitable for 3 -9 years for kids who are riding their own bike.
- Best suited to riding on bikepaths as well as in traffic and easy off-road trails/tracks
- This very secure bike to bike connection effectively creates a tandem with your child who is on their own bike. This can be suitable for early riders or those not yet well balanced on their own bike. it provides a very stable connection allowing you to do the work/balancing for your chlld.
- Easy to connect the 2 bikes while out riding allowing options of riding solo or riding together
- Creating a bike to bike connection will allow to ride further with your child..and helps keep them safe as you will be making all the decisions for your child
- The stability of this connection means there is little disruption to how you move on your bike with changes in terrain. However you are towing and therefore you will need to have the strength and fitness to deal with this increased weight Learn more – How does it feel to tow a child riding their own bike
- To help you be prepared before you ride please read Riding Safely with a Tow Frame
3. Front Kids Bike Seat
Suitable for 1-3 yrs up to 17kg
- Only suitable up to 17kg ( approximately 3years) so will have limited use for a 2-4 year old.
- With your child positioned between your arms, they feel safe and you can enjoy and share the view and environment together. It can create some magical memories and moments as you explore and discover bikepaths by bike. Being in front of you allows you to see and understand their comfort and mood.
- Very supported in sitting as the seat is slightly reclined and a secure harness system keeping your baby toddler well supported and secure.
- Getting on and off your bike/bike saddle can be challenging with your child positioned in front of you (in a front kids bike seat) as some of the space in front of your bike saddle that you use during mounting and dismounting is taken up by the kids seat. As you have to get on and off your bike less often on bikepaths and they are a safe and relaxed riding environment it does make front kids bike seats a good option on bikepaths. Please read How does it feel to ride with a front kdsi bike seat
- To help you be prepared before you ride on bikepaths please read Riding Safely with a Front Kids Bike Seat
- You will know this from when you ride that it can be quite cold on a bike due to the increased air flow. Remember this is accentuated for your young child. They are small and they are not active on a bike seat. You need to ensure they are maintaining a comfortable temperature throughout the ride.
- Visibility can still be important on bikepaths so the adult rider should consider wearing bright clothing, and the adult and child a bright helmet.
There are factors other than ‘where you ride’ that will influence your decision about which seat or trailer to buy (your best match). Factors such as
- The style of bike you have
- The size of your family – how many children, now and in the future
For more detailed information to support your decision see Riding with a 1 year old
A selection of family riding stories, support & solutions that will make you & your family SMILE
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