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How will it feel riding with a baby/toddler?

by Jo | Sep 5, 2022 | get Better

Understand how riding with your baby/toddler will feel so you can get going and create plenty of happy family biking memories.

Supporting you and your family to SMILE when you ride.

Guide: Riding with a baby/toddler

Guide: Riding with a 2-4yr old

People all over New Zealand and the world choose to take their babies and toddlers on bikes from a young age. We believe it is worth making the time to learn how you can ride bikes together because of what you and your family can gain from biking as a family. It is good to be aware that when you add a baby/toddler to your bike in a kids bike seat or a trailer your riding with need to adjust. It will feel slightly different than when you ride solo. Understanding the changes can help you have the confidence to get started and make riding with your young child easy and safe right from the beginning. It can also help you understand whether a bike seat or trailer would suit you best.

You learnt to ride a bike so we are confident that, with a little practise, you will be able to adjust your riding so that you feel safe and confident riding with your baby/toddler.

Changes in feel when riding with your baby/toddler

1. Takes up space/adds bulk/length to your bike

Adding a Kids Bike Seat or Trailer plus your child is going to take up space on your bike. Removing some of the space that you are used to having when riding solo. It can also add bulk or length to your bike, making you bigger and/or longer.

Some bike skills that you most likely do, without even thinking about them, you may need to alter as the space you need to do these skills has been reduced or removed and replaced with a seat/trailer and your child. You will need to learn how to adjust these skills to ride with a kids seat or trailer.

2. Adds weight to your bike

Adding a Kids Bike Seat or Trailer plus your child is going to add weight to your bike. This increased weight will alter the riding experience.

It will require a higher level of strength and fitness to ride and get to a destination compared to riding solo
Leaning the bike to get on and off the bike will feel a little different
Pushing the bike when walking with it will require you to balance the extra load and can change the feel when you manoeuvre the bike
When you are riding you will need to balance the extra load when steering and going around corners. The bike will also feel different when you go over bumps etc
As your child grows their weight increases so you will notice the effects of this increased load and have to adjust again

Where the added weight, bulk or length is positioned, the front for a front/mid kids bike seat, the rear for a rear kids bike seat or behind the bike for a kids bike trailer will make a difference to how it changes the riding experience. So let’s get some understanding of how it will feel to ride with a front seat, rear seat or a kids bike trailer. Compare them all or just read about the seat or trailer that you are interested in.

Changes in riding with a Front or Mid Kids Bike Seat

The increased weight at the front of the bike and with the seat and your child positioned in front of you (between your chest and the handlebars) will alter the feel of your riding and some specific biking skills. Lets understand some of these changes.

Taking up Space/Bulk

Both a front & mid seat sits in the space that you (the adult) would usually use to get on and off your bike and when starting and stopping. The more space that is left between your chest and the kids bike seat the easier it is to manage these skills. Upright riders and/or those on larger bikes will have more space and are therefore best suited to riding with a front or mid kids bike seat. Alternatively you can lower your bike seat so your feet can touch the ground. This allows you to start and stop without coming off your seat and therefore these skills no longer need the space in front of you The down side to this is your riding is less efficient with your seat low. If you are riding a mountain bike with a dropper seat post this will make these changes easy to manage. Just use the dropper to lower your seat when stopping and starting and return it to the right height when riding.
With a front/mid seat positioned in front it may effect your reach to your handlebars – you have to reach around the seat to grip your handlebars. If you ride in an upright body position and/or have big sweep back handlebars this will be easy. If you ride in a forward lean body position it may be hard to reach your handlebars without coming into contact with the back of the seat at your chest and/or neck. For smaller bike frames this contact will definitely happen, medium and above it will be manageable.

Added Weight

a front seat is fairly close to the mid point of your bike and a mid seat is right over the mid point so you should be able to get used to the added weight and how it effects your balance quite quickly. If you are riding with a young child they are still quite small and light and so the change won’t be significant and you will adapt becoming fitter and stronger as you ride together and your child grows and develops Steering will feel slightly different, slow right down for corners and never attempt to turn sharply.

The more riding you do the quicker you will adjust to the new feeling your bike has with a Front or Mid Seat and child on it. It will initially feel a little different but you will quickly adjust.

Changes in riding with a Rear Kids Bike Seat

The increased weight that is high and at the rear of the bike and with the seat and your child positioned behind you will alter the feel of your riding and some specific biking skills. Lets understand some of these changes.

Taking up space/bulk

With your seat and child positioned behind your saddle it may interfere with how you would normally get on and off the bike. You will adjust quickly to finding a different way to mount and dismount your bike. Lowering your bike seat may help with this.

Added Weight

a rear seat is high at the back of your bike so you will notice a difference to the feel and balance of your bike. When riding this will change the feel of steering and corners. You will just need to ride slower and be more considered and with a little practise you will adjust
being at the rear makes the back of your bike heavier so you need to be aware of this weight when leaning your bike. It is best to keep the bike as upright as possible, don’t lean it too much when getting on and off the bike
with the added weight on your bike it is a good idea to choose an easier gear to set off in and you will need to brake earlier to come to a stop
you have to manage the balance of the bike so the front wheel does not lift when riding or manoeuvring your bike. This is just a small adjustment making sure you keep your weight forward over the handlebars

The more riding you do the quicker you will adjust to the new feeling your bike has with a Rear Seat and child on it. It will initially feel a little different but you will quickly adjust.

Changes in riding with a Kids Bike Trailer

As a bike trailer is not attached to your bike but is towed behind your bike, there are a lot less changes to the feel of your riding when comparing it to riding solo.

Taking up space/bulk/length

With your trailer positioned away from the bike (towed behind the bike) it does not change your riding due to taking up space around you. However a trailer is wider than your bike so you will need to be aware of this when steering, going around corners and keeping to a path (is the path wide enough?). You will just need to ride slower and be more considered and with a little practise you will adjust.
Adding a trailer makes your bike significantly longer as well, so again you need to consider this when passing things, crossing traffic or going around corners. You will need more distance or time to safely complete these tasks than you would with just the length of your own bike.

Added Weight

With towing your child the weight is behind you and you will most likely feel a drag from the trailer. It may be more difficult to ride some terrain. The weight is going to be more noticeable when going up inclines/hills. That weight can also give a feel of being slightly pushed or shunted on a decline/downhill. It is a good idea to choose an easier gear to set off in and you will need to brake earlier to come to a stop or use your brakes more for any downhill riding.

The more riding you do the quicker you will adjust to the new feel of biking with a Kids Bike Trailer. It will initially feel a little different but you will quickly adjust.

For further information on safety aspects when riding with young children please read the following stories…

Riding Safely with a Front Seat

Riding Safely with a Mid Seat

Riding Safely with a Rear Seat

Riding Safely with a Bike Trailer

We’re here to help. If you have any questions please call us on 021 025 15576 or 0800 44 33 77 or CONTACT us via email

Enjoy the family time and memories that you will create riding with a baby/toddler. goRide, supporting women and families to SMILE when you ride.

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Long day rides or multi-day with a baby/toddler

by Jo | Sep 5, 2022 | get Better

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.

Family-riding-bike-trailers.-goRide-850x507

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

SHOP Kids 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.

Story: How does it feel ridng with a Kids Bike Trailer

Riding Safely with a Kids Bike Trailer

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.

SHOP Rear Seat

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.

Story: How does it feel ridng with a Rear Kids Bike Seats

Riding Safely with a Rear Kids Bike Seat

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.

SHOP Front Seat

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.

Story: How does it feel ridng with a Front Kids Bike Seat

Riding Safely with a Kids Bike Trailer

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

Guide: Biking with a 1 year old

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