Comments on: The Great Bike Seat Debate: Which One is Right for You?

By: Eric Hill

Eric Hill — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:39:37 +0000

Child trailers are the safest option for carrying a little one. You don’t want to know what my pediatrician friends call child seats… The reason being is that they are attached with a hitch that is on a swivel. Therefore if the bike falls the trailer remains upright. With child seats attached to a bike, if the bike falls the child and seat will go with it. Also, the trailers are built with a reinforced cage surrounding the rider that further protects them. Many also offer tinted covers that provide UV protection. And as an added bonus most trailers accommodate two riders. And we all know biking is more fun with a buddy.

By: Desmond Williams

Desmond Williams — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:28:20 +0000

Wow Patrick, these are great additions. I really dig the TrioBike.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 00:31:53 +0000

It’s a big commitment, but there are an increasing number of Dutch-styled bikes available in the US that transport kids, groceries, etc. in a box integrated in the front or back of the bicycle. Here’s a couple of versions:

Clever Cycles Bakfiets: http://clevercycles.com/store/?c=web2.68

Portland Metrofiets: http://bikeportland.org/2008/10/12/portland-made-metrofiets-makes-its-debut/

Dutch Bikes Coach Trike: http://www.dutchbikes.us/sortejernhest/tcoach/index.asp

Human Powered Machines’ Long Haul: http://catoregon.qwestoffice.net/hpm/longhaul4kids.htm

TrioBike: http://bicycledesign.blogspot.com/2008/02/triobike-revisited.html

This isn’t a comprehensive list, and they’re all pretty expensive ($1,500 to $5,000), and they require a garage to keep them in, but imagine not messing around with getting the trailer set up or worrying if you can carry all the stuff. This is really the way to transport kids and stuff.

By: Desmond Williams

Desmond Williams — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:32:04 +0000

I've also noticed these stroller-to-trailer/trailer-to-stroller contraptions popping up around town. Seems like a great way to consolidate two necessary modes of baby transport into one. Anyone have feedback on these?

By: Desmond Williams

Desmond Williams — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:13:09 +0000

Hey Christian and Gretha. Awesome info on the Bobike. The windscreen will definitely protect your kids from more than just wind. Plus the Bobike Maxi and Junior take kids up to 9 years old (though I hope my son will be biking on his own by then).

By: Gretha

Gretha — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 05:18:46 +0000

The Bobike seat also has some great accessories such as a windscreen (to protect from dust/wind) and a baby handlebar. see http://www.bobike.com

By: Christian

Christian — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 02:49:02 +0000

For anyone interested, the bike seat pictured is a ‘bobike’ and you can buy them here: http://www.koolstop.com/bobike/index.php

By: Christian

Christian — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:36:32 +0000

I love the pictures, especially that first one. But I’m confused why you have pictures of seats you don’t recommend. What kind of seat is the sleeping child in in that top photo? That looks like a great option.

By: Desmond Williams

Desmond Williams — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:08:55 +0000

Hi Paul, thanks for the addition of the safe-T-seat, but using “terrible” to describe rear seats is a little harsh don’t you think? At 2 1/2 years-old my son – who has been off the charts since birth – weighed more than the safe-T-seat’s maximum (the same was true for the Weeride). That would have given me only 1 year of use… Not a smart purchase choice for my family.

By: kidlet

kidlet — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:32:31 +0000

Geez, those trailers make me uncomfortable. I’ve seen too many people riding too quickly with them on city streets and even in reasonably narrow wooded trails.