In the least weird way possible, strapping children to bicycles is a longstanding tradition in my family. My grandparents used to haul their three kids around in a rickety wooden trailer hitched to the back of their tandem (see picture below), and some of my earliest memories involve being wedged into a bright red child seat with a gargantuan foam mushroom of a helmet obstructing my upper peripheral vision. Now that my son is old enough, it\u2019s our turn to pick up the baton.<\/p>\n
The Guardian\u2019s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link.\u00a0Learn more<\/a>.<\/p>\n Turns out, there are a lot of ways to strap a kid to a bike, and I\u2019ve spent the past six months researching all the options to figure out what\u2019s best. I\u2019ve also spent lots of time using trailers and rear-mounted seats, as they were most appropriate for my son\u2019s age and my bike setup.<\/p>\n Safety is also a concern. Extensive research has been conducted in Germany<\/a> into the safety of trailers, bike seats and cargo bikes relative to one another, but there are too many variables to be able to say one is categorically \u201csafest\u201d. The truth is that each method comes with its risks. A child in a trailer may be more susceptible to pollution due to their low position, but a child in a bike seat is at greater risk of being injured in a fall. Often, it comes down to where you ride and what you feel most comfortable with.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve broken down the main setups, along with the gear you\u2019ll need to make your first outing a success. I\u2019ve also consulted two experts on cycling with children: Duncan Jagger, senior project officer at Cycling UK, and Adam Tranter, former West Midlands cycling and walking commissioner, and co-host of the Streets Ahead<\/a> podcast on active travel.<\/p>\n Everything you need to cycle with kidsKeeping it in the family: Paddy Maddison\u2019s nana, Elsie, at the helm of the tandem while his mother and uncle, Bill, sit in the trailer. Photograph: Paddy Maddison\/The GuardianFrame-mounted seat<\/p>\n Polisport Groovy RS Plus<\/p>\n \u00a354.99 at Halfords<\/a>\u00a363.99 at Merlin Cycles<\/a><\/p>\n Best for: quick trips, and parents with limited space<\/p>\n Frame-mounted child seats clamp on to the bike\u2019s seat tube, suspending your little one over the rear wheel. They\u2019re easy to fit, quick to remove, and provide a degree of suspension for your passenger, thanks to the springy metal prongs that attach the seat to the mount.<\/p>\n I found this type of seat to be the least fuss overall, but it can impede pedalling slightly due to the position of the mount on the frame. This isn\u2019t much of an issue on shorter trips \u2013 school runs, shopping, park trips, etc \u2013 but I can see it getting uncomfortable on longer outings. And those who are precious about their frame may want to consider something else, as even when instructions are followed to the letter, damage can still occur. As for carbon-fibre bikes, forget it \u2013 metal only. Carbon fibre tubes are weak when it comes to clamping forces; a frame-mounted seat would crush a carbon-fibre frame.<\/p>\n As Adam Tranter notes, there\u2019s also the small matter of bike handling. \u201cThe extra weight at the back can make the front end of the bike overly light and twitchy,\u201d he says. \u201cAnd for the young ones, all they can see is your sweaty back.\u201d<\/p>\n Rack-mounted seat<\/p>\n Thule Yepp 2 maxi<\/p>\n \u00a394.99 at Fawkes Cycles<\/a>\u00a3101.99 at Tweeks Cycles<\/a><\/p>\n Best for: stability and security<\/p>\n If you like the position of a frame-mounted seat but wish to be free from pedal stroke impediments and the risk of potential frame damage, a rack-mounted seat is the way to go. It fixes securely to your bike\u2019s pannier rack, giving it greater stability. But this comes with a weight penalty that could affect handling too much for less confident cyclists.<\/p>\n Naturally, the biggest caveat is that you\u2019ll need a rack on your bike. If you don\u2019t already have one in place, sourcing and fitting one can be a challenge. If you have one you use for fixing bags to, you\u2019ll have to find another way to carry your stuff.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fittings for these seats are pretty substantial,\u201d notes Cycling<\/a> UK\u2019s Duncan Jagger. \u201cThis can allow the adult to relax, safe in the knowledge that the carrier is securely attached to the bike.\u201d<\/p>\n Front-mounted seat<\/p>\n Kids Ride Shotgun shotgun seat<\/p>\n \u00a385 at Halfords<\/a><\/p>\n Best for: a front-row view<\/p>\n The least obtrusive option and one that provides the best simulated riding experience for small kids, a front-mounted seat puts your little one on the top tube, in front of you.<\/p>\n \u201cThis type of seat provides excellent visibility for everyone and a chance to experience the kinaesthetic feeling of being in the steering position on a bike for the younger ones,\u201d says Jagger. \u201cThe seats themselves are often minimalist in design, so take up less space on the frame and can be left in situ when not being used.\u201d<\/p>\n The issue with front-mounted seats arises as your children grow. If your passenger is too big, it can feel pretty cramped and even begin to obstruct your field of view. Plus, hit a bump in the road, and you\u2019re liable to get your front teeth knocked out by the back of your child\u2019s helmet.<\/p>\n Trailer<\/p>\n Thule Chariot Cross 2 single<\/p>\n \u00a31,099.99 at John Lewis<\/a>\u00a31,099.99 at Fawkes Cycles<\/a><\/p>\n Best for: poor weather and longer journeys<\/p>\n My son and I have been enjoying our Thule trailer a lot. He loves cruising along the coast from Whitley Bay to Tynemouth in it (as long as there\u2019s an ice-cream stop factored in). It has a big zippered storage compartment, which is great for shoving his backpack in when I collect him from nursery, for additional layers of clothing, or for picking up the odd bit of shopping when we\u2019re out. It also converts into a running buggy, but you\u2019ll have to buy the conversion kit<\/a> separately.<\/p>\n It\u2019s secure, easy to detach when not in use, and is also a good option for somewhere such as the UK, where dry weather is never guaranteed, as it\u2019s completely covered. When I don\u2019t have a child in tow, I use it to run errands, like getting a big load of shopping or taking parcels to the post office.<\/p>\n The downside, Jagger warns, is that you aren\u2019t as close to your passenger. \u201cThe ride in the back can be bumpy when off-road or on uneven ground,\u201d he says. \u201cThe child might also feel more disconnected from the ride\/rider \u2013 particularly when the covers are on. And the weight of the cargo in the trailer is particularly noticeable when riding uphill and should not be underestimated!\u201d<\/p>\n Tranter says: \u201cThey\u2019re usually low down, which can bring concerns around visibility from other road users.\u201d<\/p>\n A common way to counter that last issue is to buy a hi-vis flag<\/a>, which clips on to the trailer and sits in the eyeline of motorists, alerting them to the presence of a low object. Also, because different bikes vary so much in their designs, there\u2019s a high chance you\u2019ll need to source an adaptor to connect the trailer to your trusty steed. If your bike uses thru axles, it will require a bit of measuring and mild head scratching. Thule has a tool<\/a> to help you find the right size for your frame. This will require some basic mechanical knowhow (or watching a YouTube video) and a bit of measuring to ensure you get the correct part.<\/p>\n Tag-along<\/p>\n Burley Kazoo trailer cycle<\/p>\n \u00a3311.99 at Evans Cycles<\/a>\u00a3370.49 at Decathlon<\/a><\/p>\n Best for: kids who\u2019ve outgrown their child seats<\/p>\n Many kids reach an awkward point when they\u2019re too big for child seats and too little to ride independently; this is where a tag-along comes in. It\u2019s essentially the rear portion of a small bike \u2013 back wheel, saddle and pedals \u2013 with handlebars and a clamp that attaches to the seat post of an adult\u2019s bicycle.<\/p>\n My son is still too small for a tag-along, so we haven\u2019t had the chance to try one out. That said, Jagger and Tranter praise them for their confidence-building properties and the fact that they can facilitate longer rides that may not otherwise be possible. However, they also note the impact such a cumbersome object can have on the grownup.<\/p>\n \u201cThe feeling of an older child\u2019s weight affecting balance at the back end of the bike when cornering and slowing down can be difficult for a less-experienced rider to manage,\u201d says Jagger.<\/p>\n Tranter agrees: \u201cRiding with a tag-along can feel a bit unnatural,\u201d he says, particularly if your child stands while cycling up hills. This creates more lateral movement, which can feel unnatural and perhaps a bit unbalanced for the parent.<\/p>\n Cargo bike<\/p>\n Trek Fetch+ electric cargo bike<\/p>\n \u00a34,849 at Team Cycles<\/a><\/p>\n Best for: a legitimate car replacement<\/p>\n If you have the space and money, a cargo bike is not only a fantastic option for transporting one or more children, and, well, cargo \u2013 it\u2019s also a genuine alternative to a motor vehicle. They\u2019re heavy, yes, but this tends to be countered by the inclusion of an electric motor, allowing big loads to be carried with relative ease.<\/p>\n \u201cThese bikes are designed to carry additional weight,\u201d says Jagger. \u201cSo the riding performance is less compromised by the addition of children and cargo. There are lots of options available, from traditional Dutch-style \u201cbucket\u201d cargo bikes to those with bench seats attached to the rear. But there are so many to choose from \u2013 which can make picking the correct make and model very tricky. And they take up a lot of storage space, which can be a barrier, especially in towns and cities.\u201d<\/p>\n Tranter is a big fan, though: \u201cThe most versatile, sturdy and practical option for daily transport and multiple kids, big or small. I use mine to transport my 11-year-old twin boys \u2013 but it can transport an adult too.\u201d<\/p>\n What else do I need?<\/p>\n That\u2019s the biggest expense out of the way, but there are a few other bits and pieces you and your little one will need to make your two-wheeled adventures as safe and enjoyable as possible. Here are the extras you shouldn\u2019t ride without.<\/p>\n Helmet<\/p>\n Abus Youn-I 2.0 urban cycling helmet<\/p>\n \u00a347.95 at Merlin Cycles<\/a>From \u00a350 at Tredz<\/a><\/p>\n In the UK, riding with or without a helmet is a personal choice, not to mention a divisive topic. But where children are concerned, anything that reduces the chance of injury is worth embracing. You probably already have something to protect your head, but if your child doesn\u2019t, this is something you\u2019ll need before you go out for the first time.<\/p>\n My son has been through a few different helmets due to the alarming speed at which his head is expanding. The cheapest of the cheap from Halfords was fine, but I recently got him the Abus Youn-I 2.0. This is the same brand of helmet I\u2019ve been using for years. It\u2019s approximately five times the price of the Halfords one, but the difference in build quality and fit is night and day. The straps are comfortable and easy to adjust, and it has an LED on the back with static and flashing modes for visibility. He loves wearing it too.<\/p>\n For more, read the safety essentials cyclists won\u2019t leave home without<\/a><\/p>\n Lights<\/p>\n Knog Plus light set<\/p>\n \u00a327.99 at Cycles UK<\/a>\u00a334.99 at Ribble Cycles<\/a><\/p>\n The best bike lights keep you and your passenger visible by shining bright enough to be spotted even in broad daylight. There are hundreds of options out there (I should know, I\u2019ve tested them for the Filter<\/a>), but I\u2019ve found myself coming back to Knog\u2019s Plus rear light again and again. Each of the setups above comes with its own difficulty in terms of mounting a light, but this one has a clip design that means it can be attached almost anywhere with ease. There\u2019s a front version available too, or they can be bought as a twin pack.<\/p>\n For more, read our guide to the best bike lights<\/a><\/p>\n Visibility aids<\/p>\n Bicycle safety flag with pole<\/p>\n \u00a36.49 at Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n If you\u2019re riding with a trailer or a tag-along, lighting alone may not be sufficient to keep your little one fully visible to all road users. This is where the aforementioned flag is a good idea. Go for one in a bold, hi-vis colour, ideally with some reflective trim.<\/p>\n Balance bike\u00a329.99 at Decathlon<\/a><\/p>\n Carting kids around by bike is great, but they need an opportunity to develop their own skills too. From the age of about two, a balance bike helps them get used to the sensation of being on two wheels and builds their confidence. My son has been using this one from Decathlon, which is reasonably light, has a step-through design, is small enough to use indoors or out and won\u2019t leave you bankrupt.<\/p>\n For more: Paddy Maddison is a consumer journalist, outerwear enthusiast and exercise addict. If he\u2019s not hiking in the hills, he\u2019s grinding up them on his bike, hurtling down them on his snowboard, or lacing up his running shoes and hitting the pavements. As a result, he gets plenty of time to put all the latest and greatest gear through the wringer for the Filter<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In the least weird way possible, strapping children to bicycles is a longstanding tradition in my family. 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