CR5 Issue 155 April 2018 digital

On Your
Bike
by Kate Duggan
kateduggan.co.uk
Learning to ride a bike opens up
a whole new world of fun and
independence for children. Even
babies and toddlers can join in
the fun of a family bike ride,
with a little help…
Babies can start joining you on
bike rides from around nine
months old, as long as they can
hold their head up unsupported.
You’ll need to choose between
a trailer and a front or rear bike
seat.
Child bike seats start from
around £30. The more expensive
ones usually have extra features,
such as a five-point safety
harness, rather than a threepoint
one. Some have backs that
can be tilted for on-the-go naps.
Front-mounted seats sit in
front of you and attach to the
frame. They sometimes have a
shorter back than rear mounted
seats, and usually have a lower
maximum weight allowance, so
they won’t last you quite as long.
On the plus side, you’ll be able
to see your child, which makes
sharing a ride more fun.
Some rear seats fit to a pannier
rack, while others fit to the
frame. You might find balancing
is a little bit easier with a rear
seat compared to a front one,
and it should last you until your
child is around four years old.
Whichever type of seat you go
for, you’ll need to check that it’s
suitable for your bike and the
weight of your child. Look for
a seat with plenty of padding,
a good safety harness and
adjustable foot supports.
Bike trailers are more expensive
than seats, but you can pull older
children, and often two at a
time (plus picnics or shopping).
Trailers usually have a cover, so
your child will stay dry if you get
caught in the rain, even if you
get soaked. You might struggle
with a trailer on steep hills
though, and you’ll need a garage
or shed to store it when it’s not
in use.
It’s a good idea to visit your local
bike shop to speak to a specialist
adviser before you make any
decisions. They’ll be able to
recommend a trailer or bike seat
that’s right for you, your bike
and your child.
CYCLING WITH YOUNG
CHILDREN
Once your child is old enough to
ride a 16” bike, you might want
to progress from a seat or trailer
to a Trail Gator or other tow bar.
These attach your bike to your
child’s, so you can pull your child
behind you. They’re handy for
when you fancy a longer ride
than your child could otherwise
manage. Some tow bars can be
unclipped and folded down, if
your child wants to ride on their
own for a while. Your child’s bike
might feel a bit wobbly when
it’s being pulled, so tow bars
aren’t suitable for children under
around four.
WHERE TO GO
Lots of roads have designated
cycle lanes now, and there are
plenty of traffic-free routes to
explore too. The National Cycle
Network offers 14,000 miles of
bike-friendly roads and paths.
Visit www.sustrans.org.uk for
free printable cycle route maps.
Fancy joining other families for a
bike ride?
www.cyclinguk.org lists
hundreds of UK cycling events,
including ones that are suitable
for families.
It’s also worth asking what your
local bike club has to offer, as
lots of cycling clubs organise
volunteer-led rides for beginners
and families.
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