Understand how riding with your child on a mid mount seat will feel so you can get going and create plenty of happy family biking memories.
People all over New Zealand ride bikes for enjoyment, fun and transport. So it is only natural when you have children to want to share this part of your life with them. . 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 child to your bike your riding will 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 the bike seat you want to use suits 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 child on a mid mount seat.
General changes in feel when riding with your childÂ
Changes in space & weight that will alter your riding experence
- Adding a Mid Mount Seat 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 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 this at times and have to adjust again
Let’s take a closer look at how it will feel to ride with a mid mounted seat.
Changes in riding with a Mid Kids Bike SeatÂ
A mid mount seat is unique because your child is unharnessed with no secure attachment to the seat. This means they can move, stand up on their footrests and lean with the bike as you ride. This is great for well balanced children and this seat often suits adventurous kids or kids who have enjoyed balance bike riding from a young age. A mid mount seat is a great match to riding on off road tracks, bike paths or protected cycleways.
Unharnessed Riding
- Your child can move so this seat may take more time for your child to ride safely on than other seat choices. The great thing is they are positioned right in front of you so it is very easy to communicate and teach them. Encourage them to stay seated and move with the bike, not against it. As they gain skills and confidence they will learn and really begin to enjoy the ‘feel’ of riding
- Mid mount kids seats, have no back or sides and therefore offer very little structural support. In an incident this means you become their protection. Your acceptance of this situation and the responsibility that you have will influence where you are happy to ride. If you choose to ride in traffic then we recommend light traffic flow and only if you feel confident.
- When riding over bumps, drops or uneven surfaces think about how your child will be moved or shifted off their seat. They are much lighter than you so any upward energy will unbalance them. Your job is to predict this, slow down where possible and keep the riding within everyones skill level. As you become more experienced riding together you can teach them to stand when you would to absorb bumps.
Added WeightÂ
- A mid seat is right over the mid point of your bike frame 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. As your child gets older and weighs more it is important that they stay seated and go with the movement of the bike
- Each seat that is sold has the option of adding kids handlebars. This can be a good way to add stability to your riding experience. If your child has a special place for their hands this will make them feel a bit more secure so they are more likely to relax and go with the movement of your bike, rather than being a bit scared and fighting against it
Taking up Space
- A mid seat sits in the space that you (the adult) would usually use to get on and off your bike when starting and stopping. Depending on where you are choosing to ride and how dynamic your riding will be this can be a big adjustment. If choosing to ride on mountain bike tracks you must be aware that stopping will be quite different. Practicing this in a safe place is recommended. Adjust your speed and choose manageable tracks.
- 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.
- It may be harder to reach your handlebars around your child and as they grow this will become more challenging until you reach a point where they are simply too big and heavy to be in between your arms.
The more riding you do the quicker you will adjust to the new feeling your bike has with a Mid Seat and child on it. It will initially feel a little different but you will quickly adjust and this is a really fun way to ride with your child.
Understand how it will feel to ride with other seats/trailer please read the following stories…
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.Â
A selection of family riding stories, support & solutions that will make you & your family SMILE
Mid Mount Kids Bike Seat Stories and Support
View the full range of stories and support – Mid Mount Kids Bike Seats
Riding with my kids attached - What are my options?
This goRide Story has helped direct many. Get an overview of the options that are available so you can ride with your family.
Mid Mount Seat Bike Buying Guide
What is the best way to ride with your child? There are many factors to consider in your decision. Use our goRide Buying Guides to get the right mid mount bike seat.
Mid Mount Seats - Frequently Asked Questions
Have all your questions about Mid Mount seats answered. Understand if a Mid Mount seat is the right choice for your family.
E-Bikes & Kids
Is an E-Bike a good choice for transporting kids or grandkids? What do you need to know about an E-Bike before using it with your family?
First Bike Helmet
Everything we ask for your first bike helmet. Lightweight, good head coverage, adjustable, chin pinch guard. The back of this helmet is flat so toddlers can comfortably lean their head on bike seats
Ride More Places
Read stories about riding trails, tracks and mountain bike parks in beautiful NZ. Be inspired and learn whether this may be an option for you or your family.
Support and inspire other riders and families to ride
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 receive a free shipping coupon and go into our seasonal prize draw.
goRide supporting women and families to SMILE when you ride