Why choose a Kids Bike Trailer?

A Bike Trailer is a great towing solution for families with a young child or children. With options and choices around use and size there is a trailer that will match to your family needs. Single or double trailers depending on the number of seats you want and the amount of storage you would like. Biking only trailers or trailers that can be used for different activities such as walking or jogging.  As the price tag rises so does the comfort level for your child, the features you will be getting and the benefit of greater use across a range of activities for the family.

Bike trailers can greatly lessen the use of the family car and are often the right choice for a family to commute and do errands by bike.  They often have amazing storage and become the obvious choice for easy off road touring with a young child or children.

Below is a table with the available Bike Trailer solutions and a quick comparison guide. As well as more detailed information about factors to consider to understand the right solution for your family.

If you think a Bike Trailer could be a good solution for your family, to open up your riding opportunities and experiences, then please read on…

What recreational activities do you want to do with your child?

Trailers offer a wide range of solutions for the types of activities that you can enjoy with your child. It is important to identify where you may want to take your trailer and match this idea to the features a trailer has. As a rule the more ‘use’ options that a trailer provides the greater the cost of the trailer.  Check carefully which kits you get with your purchase and what is available separately.  Also think about comfort & padding accessories.

Use options include:  bike, stroller, jog or ski.  Please read Using your Bike Trailer for Strolling or Jogging and to understand more about the features read Features of a Thule Kids Bike Trailer

Bike Compatibility & Attachment Points.

Bike Trailers attach to the hub of your rear wheel providing a low and stable connection point.

Bike Only; Recreation Bike Trailer   Will a Bike Trailer fit my bike?

Multi Use Trailer; Recreation, Off Road or Sport. Will a Thule Trailer fit my bike?  Thule Bike Trailer Axel Options

Riding Safely with a Kids Bike Trailer.

Having additional weight attached to the rear of your bike with require additional fitness and strength to ride with this load.  A bike with a good gear range or an E-Bike will help greatly especially if you want to load your trailer.  The wheel rolling and ease of pull will be better the more money you invest.   As the adult rider you need to feel capable and confident that you can ride safely towing a bike trailer.

When do you want to start riding with your child and how long do you want the trailer to be used for?

Bike trailers are suitable from 1 years of age through to 4 yrs (double) or 5-6 yrs (single). If your child can sit independently and correctly fit a kids bike helmet then a trailer is an option for your family. These seats offer you a family riding solution for a great age range and if you initially invest in a double you will have room if the family grows.

Where do you want to ride?

Where you can ride is influenced by your comfort and confidence when riding with your child. Where are you comfortable and confident to ride: In Traffic, bike paths, easy trails and possible multiday.

Bike Trailer and E-Bikes.

If your E-bike is compatible with attaching a trailer at the rear wheel hub then using a trailer with an E-bike is a suitable option.  The Thule range of bike trailers have gear hub axels available to purchase.

Having an E-bike can help overcome some of the challenges around fitness and strength required to bike with a child. However as always be aware of your safety. E-Bikes give you the ability to travel at a much faster speed than you would achieve under your own power.  What does this mean when riding with a young child?  E-Bikes are generally heavier than standard bikes so please consider how this may effect the skills that can be a little more challenging when towing a trailer.

Switching Between Bikes.

It can be great to have the flexibility for your trailer to be attached to more than one bike. This allows different family members and bikes to be used.

Bike Trailers require you to replace your rear wheel hub with an adaptor to attach your trailer to.  If both bikes have this replacement axel then switching is simple.  Most trailers are well designed for this kind of ease and flexibility of use. You will have to purchase an additional axel adaptor that can be attached to a second bike to allow you to do this switching.

Storage at Home.

Trailers are large.  When left up they require a good amount of protected space for safe storage.  They also have a large turning circle and can be tricky to manoeuver in and out of small spaces. They do collapse or fold down to less than half their size.  Which is great for transporting and storing.

Riding with Multiple Children.

Having the ability to ride with two children is one of the most obvious benefits of a double bike trailer.  The weight of even small kids when attached to your bike can be challenging even for experienced riders.  Being able to pull two children along with a low and stable connection is manageable for most people. 

Can the adult rider ride safely with the added challenge of weight and how this will effect balance?  Think about your fitness & strength and the places you want to ride.  An E-Bike will help enormously with your enjoyment of riding with two children.

Alternative options if a Bike Trailer is not the right solution for your family.

Your needs will be based around the age of your child, where they are in their biking journey and what riding your family would like to achieve now and in the future.  Please read our Buying Guides to gain a better understanding of your options…

Riding stories, support & solutions that will make you & your family SMILE.