There is a lot of family fun to be had if you are wanting to ride for longer day rides or multi-day with your baby/toddler. It allows parents to continue to enjoy activities they love to do, and can help families ride with different aged kids. Let us help you have a successful multi-day adventure or complete long rides regularly.
Get the right solution for your family so you can SMILE when you ride.
If you are going on a multi-day ride or want to ride distance regularly (e.g. commuter by bike) then it means that your young child will be spending time on the bike. To achieve this you will need to make sure they are safe and comfortable in their space and they can continue their normal daily routine.
With a young child that generally means;
- they can safely sleep in the space while you are biking. Alternatively you can try and plan daily riding around their sleep times
- you need to keep them comfortable so consider how you can
- keep them warm or cool enough
- ways to reduce vibration and jostling while you ride
- ways they can see and interact with the environment and with you
Riding on a multi-day biking adventure or going on long rides will also mean that you will need to carry gear with you… whether it be just your gear for the day or gear for the full duration of your journey.
Options for Long Rides or Multi-Days with a Baby/Toddler:
- If you want to provide a space where your baby/toddler can sleep – goRides #1 choice is a Kids Bike Trailer. All the bike trailer options we have are suitable (Off-Road, Sport, Recreation), your choice will depend on the features of the trailer that will support, where you want to ride, comfort for you and your child and the additional storage capacity you need.
- If you are considering managing the ride between sleep times then a Front or Rear Kids Bike Seat – attached to your bike may be a suitable solution for you. All front and rear seats are suitable, your choice will be about determining your best match.
1. Kids Bike Trailer – Best Match
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.
Your choice of Bike Trailer could simply be based on where you plan to do your multi-day and longer rides however we think there is more to consider when riding distance or over multi-days. Our recommendation is the Off-Road Trailer or Sports Trailer Let us understand why.
- Both of these trailers will support you riding in a wide variety of environments and can provide a space that your young child can sleep in.
- The trailers are Multi-Use meaning they can easily be converted into a stroller (and jogger if you purchase this kit). The stroller kit is stored on the bike trailer offering you options to be able to walk with your child whenever you choose. Creating a lot more flexibility for your activity/adventure.
More Amazing Features:
- An enclosed comfortable cosy space that can be adjusted to assist with their comfort as well as…
- Adjustable suspension to reduce vibration and jostling. Available in the Off-Road and Sports Trailer. The Recreation Trailer has suspension but it is not adjustable
- A weather cover, sun shade, the ability to open up the sides/front of the trailer. Provides you with a range of options to help keep your young child warm or cool, protected from the sun and interacting with you and the environment.
- Reclined seat that will support sleeping. Available in the Off-Road or Sports Trailer. The Recreation Trailer seats do not recline
- Seat accessories are available for support & comfort in the trailer. See Accessories Support. Note the Sports Trailer comes with a good padded seat.
- Additional storage for additional gear that you will need throughout your multi-day/long ride. Make sure you are comfortable riding with increased load. Both the Off-Road and Sports Trailer offer additional storage capacity. The Recreation Trailer has no additional storage.
When riding with a trailer you need to make sure the trail is wide enough to tow a trailer and consider if there are any gates or obstacles that may make it difficult to take the trailer through and over. To understand the different features of the trailers please read Comparing Thule Bike Trailers
Kids Bike Trailer – Safety
Before you ride multi day or head out for a long ride you need to be well practised at riding with your baby/toddler in a trailer. Having a trailer attached to your bike will feel different to begin with. Everyone will notice this change, from experienced riders to beginners. With practise you will get better.
To ride multi-day it is important to understand how the bike trailer you are using works so you are comfortable with it. This will help you feel confident in your ability to use it and solve any problems that come up. Knowing how it attaches/detaches, how to check it is safe, and understanding how the harness works will help.
2. Rear Kids Bike Seat
Bike Carrier and Bike Frame Mount options. Suitable for 1-6years up to 22kg
- To ride with your child multi-day in a rear seat you will need to manage your riding around sleep times. Baby and toddlers are kept safe in their seat with a secure harness and can fall asleep in a rear kids bike seat (like a car seat) but the set up and environment mean that is it is not well suited to sleeping.
- As a rear seat is exposed it can be hard to protect them from the weather and conditions you may encounter during a long or multi-day ride. Your body/bulk will provide some protection with the seat tucked in behind you Clothing to keep them at a safe temperature and sun protection will be really important.
- To carry any additional gear you will need to consider where and how you can carry the gear. There are other places where you can attach gear – the middle of your bike frame, the handlebars, or you could tow a gear trailer. Some rear seats like the frame mount seat still allow you to attach panniers to a rear carrier. Whatever you decide you will need to consider your load and balance. Use our Stories and Support for carrying gear to help you consider your options.
Rear Seat – Safety
Before you ride multi day or head out for a long ride you need to be well practised at riding with your baby/ toddler in a rear kids bike seat. Having a rear seat attached to your bike will feel different to begin with. Everyone will notice this change, from experienced riders to beginners. With practise you will get better.
To go on a long ride it is important to understand how the rear seat you are using works so you are comfortable with it. This will help you feel confident in your ability to use it and solve any problems that come up. Knowing how it attaches/detaches, how to check it is safe, and understanding how the harness works will help.
3. Front Kids Bike Seat
Suitable for 1-3 yrs up to 17kg
- To ride with your child on a long ride or multi-day in a front seat you will need to manage your riding around sleep times. In the front seat baby and toddlers are in a slightly reclined sitting position and are kept safe with a secure harness and can quite comfortably fall asleep. However often the environment you are in is likely to mean that is it is not well suited to sleeping.
- As a front seat is exposed it will be hard to protect them from the weather and conditions you may encounter during a long or multi-day ride. Using the kids seat, that you can attach a windscreen to, will help with weather protection and keeping them at a comfortable temperature. Clothing to keep them at a safe temperature and sun protection will be really important.
- To carry any additional gear you will need to consider where and how you can carry the gear. There are a variety of places where you can attach gear – the rear or middle of your bike frame, or you could tow a gear trailer. Whatever you decide you will need to consider your load and balance. Use our Stories and Support for carrying gear to help you consider your options.
Front Seat – Safety
Before you ride multi-day or head out for a long ride you need to be well practised at riding with your baby/toddler in a front kids bike seat. Having a front seat attached to your bike will feel different to begin with. Everyone will notice this change, from experienced riders to beginners. With practise you will get better.
To go on a long ride it is important to understand how the front seat you are using works so you are comfortable with it. This will help you feel confident in your ability to use it and solve any problems that come up. Knowing how it attaches/detaches, how to check it is safe, and understanding how the harness works will help.
Use our guide Biking with a baby/ 1 year old for more detailed information and support:
- Learn how to keep them safe and comfortable
- There may be factors other than long days or multi-day that will influence your decision about which seat or trailer to buy (your best match). Factors such as
- The style of bike you have
- Where you plan to ride
- The size of your family – how many children, now and in the future
A selection of family riding stories, support & solutions that will make you & your family SMILE
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Rear Carrier Mount Bike Seat
We love this seat. Super lightweight, quick, & easy to attach to a carrier and change between bikes. Suitable for a wide age range – 1-6 year olds.
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Support and inspire other riders and families to ride
Share your riding outings, adventures and experiences on our quick and easy question and answer forms. Join us in helping others ride bikes. All entries receive a free shipping coupon and go into our seasonal prize draw.
goRide supporting women and families to SMILE when you ride
