We love our family rides, but we didn’t really start riding until after we had kids. My husband bought me a bike when I was 7 months pregnant. He brought it home and wanted me to get on it. Are you crazy? It’s bad enough that the seat is way smaller than my behind, but how in a world do I balance on it with a huge watermelon in front of me – Thanks, but no Thanks! I think I waited a year (just to prove a point) before agreeing to get on a bike again. However, we get asked often what is the earliest for a child to join a bike ride with parents. Meet Jeff Wanamaker of WeeHoo, who has 20+ experience in family biking. We asked him the most frequent questions I hear from our friends and readers.
How young is too young to join bike rides?
My personal opinion is anything under 2 years old you should talk to your child’s pediatrician. In ANY cycling device you decide to use with a child they MUST wear a helmet. A child’s skull is about as thick and fragile as a dinner plate. Some of the buggy style trailers have baby snug attachments but I would be very cautious about using a bicycle trailer for a child under 1 even if the manufacture suggests it might be safe. I have never met a one year old that will wear a helmet consistently.
What do you think about bike stroller? Are they safe?
A biking stroller looks like a fun bicycle/trailer. This style of bike was launched by Zigo Leader over 7 years ago and have not quite caught on yet even with good global reach. I suspect price point might have something to do with it, but I don’t have enough knowledge of these to speak freely.
What would you consider tobe the safest bicycle child carrier and why?
In my opinion the weehoo offers the safest riding experience for your child. The weehoo has a 3 point harness and allows for a child to ride or sleep. I had a story of a drunk driver hitting a weehoo at over 45 miles an hour and the child walked away with out a scratch (the paramedics said the weehoo probably saved her life and they don’t think the outcome would have been the same if she had been in another trailer). With tag-a-longs you are limited to your child’s skill set to make it a safe ride. Buggy style trailers offer a safe PASSIVE riding environment, but offer no exercise for the passenger and children become bored very fast (with the buggy style trailer both wheels MUST always stay on the ground for safety). Of course, there are other niche trailers I do not have enough information to speak about.
Photo Credit: Rebel Bike
Let’s talk kids safety: is there anything else needed besides a helmet?
Not only helmet, but a correct fitting helmet is important. I wish I had a dollar for every time I see a child with a incorrectly fitting helmet. I would consider eye glasses at all times as well (some states require eye protection for children). Not only will it keep road debris out of eyes, but it will keep bugs out of the eyes as well. I would also recommend an accessible water bottle for your child – you want to make sure they are hydrated and cool. Sun screen is also a very important for child’s safety. Make sure bikes have lights and reflectors, and wear light color clothing for visibility. And here is a video how to pick a bicycle helmet (see the video if it’s not embedded in your browser http://youtu.be/0yzSwxWIJTk):
Geoffrey Wanamaker runs the business development team at Weehoo. Geoffrey has helped Weehoo Inc launch in over 18 countries and has developed a reputation for Weehoo being a leader in customer service. Geoffrey lives in Colorado and enjoys spending time with his wife and four children. Family cycling is Geoffrey’s passion. Reach him at jeff@weehoogear.com with any questions.
Great tips! My daughter started riding her tricycle about a year ago when she was around 2.5 years old, and even then, she had problems pedaling (she would get distracted and forget). She wasn’t a fan of the helmet either. Now, she loves riding her bike, but I certainly wouldn’t push it with a child if they are younger than 2.
My husband was a cyclist and racer when I met him. He also worked in a bike shop while we were in college. We both strongly believe children should be able to hold their head up, and support the weight of a helmet before riding in a bike trailer. I love my Burley because it has a roll cage and harness for each child. I don’t care for the biking stroller style because the child is not protected from a car. I hate to say it, my 1-year old did wear his helmet. Why? Because Daddy was always seen wearing his home from a ride. This isn’t uncommon with cycling families. We had a friend whose son insisted on wearing his straight for months. Lol. Overall I love seeing families out with their kids. Such a fun family activity if everyone is safe and cautious.
Great tips for safe bike riding for all. That bike stroller looks kind of awesome and scary at the same time.
Good tips. I recently saw a father pulling his daughter behind his bike on a busy road without a helmet! (50 MPH road!) I wish I could send him your article here.
I like that bike stroller thing. That is awesome! Thanks for sharing.
wow these are some neat transports. Love that families are riding together
I was going to agree with you but I remember taking my son when he was around 7-8 months on a bike ride. We had a seat that attached to the back of my bike. It always made me nervous though!
I did not think of eye wear but the trailer we pull my son is in enclosed for sun protection and keep debris out of his face. This is a cool article. I am interested in something where my son can ride on my actual bike but I am so short having him sit directly behind or infront of me did not seem like an option. WEEHOO seems cool!
great interview hope your enjoying your bike riding
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