Knowing where you want to ride with your child/children can help you understand what is the best solution to support you to ride together.
Get the right solution for your family 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 solution for your family. To be confident when you ride and have safe and enjoyable experiences together it is best to have solutions 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 4 plus year old in Traffic. For other riding environments see
- Bikepath Riding – Kids Seats & Towed Options for a 4 plus yr old
- Riding Off Road/Mountain Biking – Kids Seats & Towed Options for a 4 plus yr old
Biking in Traffic with a 4+ year old
On the road and in traffic is a busy environment for riding a bike in. You are sharing the road with motor cars/trucks etc that are bigger and faster than you, therefore your safety is a priority. To improve your safety you need to make sure
- you will be seen
- if kids are being towed on their own bike, they need to be able to stay seated at all times
- if in a attached seat your child needs to be strapped in and well supported in sitting
- you have to be alert and have confidence in your own riding ability to ride in traffic before considering riding with your child
- before you ride in traffic you will need to be familiar with the changes to the feel of riding that occurs when riding with your child in your chosen solution
When riding in traffic you will be predominantly on roads so riding on a smooth and sealed surfaces. Your rides are likely to be short and intermittent in urban areas, with a lot of starting and stopping. With the exception of commuting distance by road. With all of this in mind, let us understand the best solutions for riding in traffic with a 4 plus year old.
Solutions & Support:Â
Your options for riding with your 4 plus year old in traffic
- Tow Frame – Follow me Tandem – Creating a bike to bike connection for kids who are riding their own bike.
- Tow Bar – Trailgator – Creating a bike to bike connection for kids who are well balanced riding their own bike.
- Bike Trailers – All bike trailer options are suitable but if it is only urban riding you will be doing we recommend the Recreation Multi-Use Trailer – Thule Chariot Lite.
- Rear Kids Bike Seat – Iki Junior – Suitable for kids over 4 years secured with a lap belt.
1. Tow Frame – Follow Me Tandem
Suitable for 3 -9 years. Our top choice for in traffic. By the age of 4 years a good number of kids will be riding their own bike. Due to the stability of the Tow Frame – Follow Me Tandem you can use this towing system with early riders. They do not have to be well balance independent riders to be safe and for you and your child to enjoy riding with the Tow Frame
- This very secure bike to bike connection effectively creates a tandem with your child who is on their own bike.
- With your child connected to you…you know where they are and make the decisions and so you can ride safely together in traffic
- Your child will need to understand that they must remain seated on their bike at all times while in traffic.
- Riding in traffic/urban areas often requires you to get on and off your bike saddle multiple times as you stop at intersections and do errands and activities. This busy environment requires you to steer around cars, obstacles and corners. With your child being towed on a very stable connection means there is little change to how you will do these skills when compared to riding solo. Learn more – How does it feel to tow a child riding their own bike
- To help you be prepared before you ride in traffic please read Riding Safely with a Tow Frame
- To improve visibility riders should consider wearing a bright helmet and clothing.
2. Tow Bar – Trailgator
Suitable for 4 -9 years. By the age of 4 years a good number of kids will be riding their own bike. Your child will need to be well balanced on their bike to consider using the Tow Bar. The design of this rigid bar means that it can create leverage causing some lean for your child and some feeling of disruption to your biking balance for the lead rider.
- Due to the lean and disruption of balance it is suggested that the Tow Bar should only be used in low traffic volumes and for short time frames.
- With your child connected to you…you know where they are and make the decisions and so you can ride safely together in traffic
- Your child will need to understand that they must remain seated on their bike at all times while in traffic.
- Riding in traffic/urban areas often requires you to get on and off your bike saddle multiple times as you stop at intersections and do errands and activities. This busy environment requires you to steer around cars, obstacles and corners. With your child being towed you will need to adjust to the changes in feel during these skills. Learn more – How does it feel to tow a child riding their own bike
- To help you be prepared before you ride in traffic please read Riding Safely with a Tow Bar
- To improve visibility riders should consider wearing a bright helmet and clothing.
3. Recreation Multi-Use Trailer
BIKE TRAILERS are suitable for a 1 yr old up to… Single Trailer – 1 child up to 36kg…Â Double Trailer – 1 or 2 children up to a total of 45kg. Can be used as a Stroller from a young age by adding a baby sling (0-10months). Please note that by 4 plus years you will get limited time to use your bike trailer.
- This trailer is best suited to riding on smooth surfaces. It is multi-use so you can easily convert it to a stroller/buggy while out and about.
- The trailer is enclosed providing your child/children their own cosy space and helping to protect your child from the surrounding environment and weather. And help keep the 4 plus year old amused with some activities in the trailer.
- Your child will be kept safe and secure while seated with a quality harness. You can purchase additional seating support to increase safety and comfort for your child. Please see Accessories Support for more information.
- The size and bulk of a trailer can help make sure you are seen and help vehicles provide a wide berth.
- To improve visibility please use the trailer with the supplied flag and the adult rider should consider wearing bright clothing and helmet.
- Towing a bike trailer will make you wider and longer than when riding solo. To be safe it is important that you adjust to these changes. Please read. How does it feel to bike with a Kids Bike Trailer
- To help you be prepared before you ride in traffic 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 you may need to consider this trailer. Â For more detailed comparison between trailers please see Trailer Comparison.
4. Rear Kids Bike Seat
Rear Junior Seat Suitable for 4-10 years old. Both the rear frame and carrier mount seats are still suitable for your child..a junior seat will offer you a family riding solution for longer
- Your older child can easier hop on your bike…clip themselves in on the lap belt and you are ready to ride.
- Great for short commuting by bike. You do need to understand if you can manage the weight of your child on your bike.Â
- Riding in traffic/urban areas often requires you to get on and off your bike saddle multiple times when stopping at intersections and stopping to do errands and activities. With your child positioned behind you, you can comfortably carry out these activities. However with an increase in weight at the rear of your bike you will need to adjust to ensure you can balance the bike and make sure the front of the bike does not lift off the ground. Learn more at – How does it feel to ride with a with a Rear Kids Bike Seat
- To help you be prepared before you ride in traffic please read Riding Safely with a Rear Kids Bike Seat
- To improve visibility the adult rider should consider wearing a bright helmet and clothing.
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 Biking with a 4 plus year old
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