Your options – Front, or Rear Kids Bike Seats or Kids Bike Trailer

Front Kids Bike Seats

The Facts – Your child is positioned in front of you, between your chest and the handlebars in a harnessed fully supported seat  These seats are mounted to the handlebar stem on your bike. Front seats are suitable for children from 1-3 years with a weight range of up to 17kg. These seats are a first bike seat. Your child needs to be able to fit a bike helmet to safely use this seat.

Bike Compatibility – Front Kids Bike Seats do not suit all bikes you will need to understand if a Front kids bike seat will fit your bike. 

Riding with a Front Kids Bike Seat – best suited to riding on bike paths and easy trail. Can be used in traffic if you are comfortable in the riding environment. There can be some challenges with mounting /dismounting/ stopping and reach to the handlebars with a child positioned in front of you… learn more at Riding Safely with a Front Kids Bike Seat

Enjoy the experience- With your young child positioned in front of you, feeling protected and safe between your arms this seats offers great interaction and connection with your baby / toddler. You can see and understand their comfort and mood and enjoy the view and environment together. The front position of the seat does offer some riding challenges. making this seat best suited to riders that are either in an upright position on their bike, are reasonably tall or those with a dropper seat.

Rear Mount Kids Bike Seats

The Facts – Your child is positioned behind you. There are carrier mount and frame mount solutions, suitable for children from 1-6 years.  Rear bike seats have a weight range of 9-22kg and are a suitable first bike seat. Your child needs to be able to sit independently and fit a bike helmet to safely use this seat.

Bike Compatibility – You have options of either attaching your rear bike seat seat directly to the frame of your bike ( frame mount) or onto a rear bike carrier (carrier mount)  So there is a solution for most bikes. The exception is full suspension mountain bikes, rear attaching seats are not compatible with this type of bike.

Riding with a Rear Kids Bike Seat – Riding with additional load on the rear of your bike seat does change the way your bike will handle or feel. Bike skills such as mounting and dismounting the bike, stopping & starting and balance alter when a rear seat is attached.  With a little practise the adult rider will adapt and feel capable and confident when riding with a Rear Kids Bike Seat… learn more at Riding Safely with a Rear Kids Bike Seat.

Enjoy the experience- With your child tucked in behind you, protected from the weather they will love the ride. This seat offers a solution for a wide age range providing your family with lots of time to create many family riding opportunities and memories. Though you do have to adjust your riding to get used to carrying a load at the rear this is easily learnt by riders and it is often quick for everyone to feel safe and comfortable riding in a range of environments suited to your capabilities.

Will a Rear Kids Bike Seat – Fit my Bike

CARRIER MOUNT – THULE or IKI

FRAME MOUNT – YEPP 

Kids Bike Trailers

The Facts – Your child is towed behind you in an enclosed trailer. They are available as either a:

• Single Trailer suitable for transporting one child up to 36kg
• Double Trailers suitable for transporting one or two children up to 45kg

Some Bike Trailers are Multi-Use Trailers meaning they are more than just a bike trailer and are suitable to use for a variety of recreational activities. Conversion Kits are available to convert a trailer into a stroller, jogger and some are also suitable for the snow Check out what conversion kits come with the different trailers and what kits can be purchased separately. Comparing Thule Bike Trailers

Bike Trailers can be a reasonably large investment but being able to use them over a wide age range and for the multi-use trailers for multiple activities can definitely make the investment worthwhile. They offer you to have one piece of equipment to use for walking/jogging and biking. Using your kids bike trailer as a stoller and jogger

Bike Compatability  – Bike Trailers connect to the hub of the towing bikes rear wheel. They are easily attached to rear wheels that have quick release skewers though options are available for those bikes that are not compatible. Learn more: Will a Bike Trailer Fit my Bike

Riding with a Bike Trailer- Different bike trailers are suited to different riding environments. Recreation for urban areas ( bikepath and road/traffic) Off-road add on gravel trails and our Sports Trailer suitable to all environments. You need to feel safe and confident towing a trailer in the environments you are riding in. Protecting kids from the weather and providing them with a comfortable space makes BIke Trailers a great choice for longer and regular rides. A fantastic option for commuting and mulit-day.

Remember the towing bike/biker must have the fitness and strength to tow a trailer. E-Bikes can offer a great solution if this is a concern. Learn more at Riding Safely with a Kids Bike Trailer

Enjoy the Experience- Your child/children are enclosed in their own cosy space, feeling safe and protected from the surrounding environment and weather. With Trailers it can be a little more difficult to monitor the comfort and mood of your young child however regular stops can resolve this. Trailers that are multi-use offers a solution for a wide range of activities over a wide age with options for 1 or 2 children. This offers your family great flexibility and time to create many family riding and outdoor activity opportunities and memories.