Follow goRides process for preparing for your first ride with a Kids Bike Trailer. Have a safe and successful experience riding with your child. 

You have just recently purchased your Kids Bike Trailer. Take some time now to practice connecting the bike trailer arm to your bike.

Practise & understand the handling & working with your trailer until you feel confident in using all its features. What you need to pactise will differ depending on the features of your bike trailer. Can you:

• Collapse and erect your bike trailer
• Attach any weather  & sun protection covers
• How to work with the harness. Clip it in & out. Adjust the size.
• Convert your trailer  – know how to use as a stroller, biking or for jogging (if you also purchased the jog kit)
• Do you need to insert any additional seat supports – eg infant sling required if using the trailer as a stroller/jogger for kids 0=10months 
• If you are going to transport your Bike Trailer in a car, practise lifting into the boot of your car, understand the space you will need.

When you feel confident that you know how to use your Kids Bike Trailer you can attempt your first practice ride. 

We recommend that you test the feel of the Bike Trailer in a quiet place without a passenger. Practice riding your new bike set up away from road traffic. 

What to practise… 

Riding with the Bike Trailer

1. Get some understanding of the change in weight/balance
2. Practice braking it will take longer to come to a stop. Practice starting (a heavier bike is harder to get moving). To get going you will need to be in a low gear and it will take you longer to get up to speed. The changes will be more pronounced when you add the weight of your child.
3. Get some understanding of the change in length and width. How does this effect your decisions around the space you need to safely get around objects cross roads etc.
4. Practice going around corners & turning. The width and two wheels of a bike trailer will not corner as efficiently as your bike.  This means the arc of your corners need to be bigger and we recommend taking corners at a lower speed than you normally would
5. Slowing going down a hill can also be a different experience, you want to avoid shunting where the weight of the trailer pushes your bike forward.

1. When you feel confident riding with the Bike Trailer with out a passenger you can begin to prepare your child and plan for your first ride together!

We recommend that your first practise ride together is in a quiet place . Practice riding your new bike set on a flat area so you can both get used to the feel of towing before you ride in more challenging terrain. Towing is a new experience for everyone so start small and be very patient.

Let your child/children have a good look around the trailer and climb in and out.  Be patient with their initial excitement and curiosity.  Show them what it can do, where it attaches to your bike etc.  When you think they have had enough exploring buckle them into the harness.  Adjust the harness and take your time to get the fit right – firm but comfortable.

Communication

As you child is harnessed in an enclosed trailer you are in full control of the towing experience. It is still good practise to communicate well with your child, let them know when you are starting and stopping  Always communicate in a loud voice. Talk through the communication you are going to use

You need to let your child know it is OK to ask you to stop This is important as  you cannot see your child. How will they communicate this to you? It can be good to stop regularly to check on your child or children especially if you have young children or as you are both getting used to this new experience.

Set up the trailer for your childs comfort

Set up the trailer to keep your child comfortable in the weather and appropriately set up for where you want to ride. Do they need airflow protection from the sun or rain.

Attach the trailer to your bike

At some point you will need to attach the bike arm of the trailer to the connection on the rear wheel hub of the bike. Make sure the bike is stable as you do this. Determine when is the best time to do this.

 if if you feel On your easy flat route enjoy your ride together as you both get used to this new experience and what it can offer your family.

Process

With your child comfortable. Practise the same activities that you worked through without your child. These will again feel different with the added wait of your child / children.

Get some understanding of the change in weight/balance.   Practice starting. Practice braking. Get a feel for the change in length and width. Practice going around corners & turning.

When you both feel confident…

You can start to explore different and more challenging trails and terrain and if you feel comfortable riding in traffic. When you are ready you can add slopes/ hills to go up and down. Get a feel for the increased effort to ride this extra load up a hill and the feel of slowing going down a hill can also be a different experience. You want to avoid shunting where the weight of the trailer pushes your bike forward.

• Great for carrying kids and gear. 
• Multiuse trailer offer options for a wide variety of activities
• Can use over a wide time frame…as your children are comfortable and happy in the enclosed trailer
• Can keep kids comfortable in a wide range of weather conditions

Support & Inspire other riders and families 

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 are automatically entered into our Seasonal Prize Draw.