Ride Safely with a Bike Tow Bar.
Create plenty of happy family biking memories. Ride safely with a Bike Tow Bar every time you ride.
Welcome. The Bike Tow Bar is a bike to bike attachment. It attaches from the lead bike to a trailing bike. Your child needs to be riding their own bike for the Tow Bar to be a solution for your family. The Tow Bar is safe up to the combined weight of 32kg for the trailing bike & rider.
When in use the front wheel of the trailing (child’s) bike is lifted off the ground. A stabilising bar prevents the handlebars from turning leaving the lead bike (adult) in control of steering. Your child can choose to pedal or not while being towed, making the ride easier for them and helping them SMILE.
This Tow Bar works with most adult and kids bikes but there are some exceptions… please see Will a Bike Tow Bar Fit your Bike?
To safely use any towing device you firstly need to understand how it is attached and how it works once attached. goRide has attached the Bike Tow Bar to a variety of bikes so we understand the experience and any challenges. See our tips for Attaching a Bike Tow Bar.
To understand and compare your options for towing please read Towing Kids Who Ride Their Own Bike – Buying Guide
Safely Using a Bike Tow Bar
Before your First Ride
goRide recommends that you test the feel of the bike tow bar by connecting the two bikes you will be using. This is best done in a quiet place without a passenger – no child on the rear bike to begin with. As the adult you will control the experience so you need to be aware of the risks and any potential danger. Take some time now to practice connecting the tow bar, handling & working with it until you feel confident in using it.
First Ride with a Passenger
Only after you feel safe should you take your child with you. Practice away from road traffic. Your new tandem will possibly steer or brake differently to what you are used to with your solo bike. This is especially true if the child’s bike is relatively large and your child is therefore older and heavier.
The tow bar is designed to be used when two bikes are following each other. Make it clear to the trailing rider that to be safe they must remain seated on their bike and discourage them from leaning or swaying their bodies as this will make it difficult for you to maintain a straight riding line – this is very important in traffic and why you need to practice in a safe area.
Practice slowly at first and focus on clear communication techniques.
Communication: Always communicate starting or stopping in a loud voice. Choose instructions that suit your family for starting – either ready, steady, GO or count 1, 2, 3 GO. The trailing rider can make this starting call so you know they are ready. Make sure the trailing person/child is aware when you are stopping or any slowing down.
As your child sits in behind you it is not always easy to see what they are doing, keep chatting to them as they get used to the feeling of being towed. Let them know it is OK to ask you to stop and that they need to remain on their seat until you are completely stopped. Also talk to them about when it is safe for them to dismount. Ideally you do not want them dismounting until you reach your destination/a safe area especially if you are riding in traffic.
Note: Kids with rear pedal brakes will still be able to engage their brakes while you are riding.
Everyday Riding
Safety: Inspect the Tow Bar and mounting brackets for loose nuts/bolts before every ride. Riding a bike causes vibration which will loosen things over time. We recommend carrying a small tool kit that will assist you with keeping your Tow Bar safe whenever you ride.
Communication: Repeat or go over your communication calls and explain your ride. We recommend regularly reminding your child not to lean while they are being towed. When will it be safe for them to dismount during this ride?
We’re here to help. If using your Bike Tow Bar has raised some questions for you. 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 with a Bike Tow Bar. goRide, supporting women and families to SMILE when you ride.
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