How To Carry a Child On a Bicycle: Front Seat, Bike Trailer or Cargo Bike?

Written By: Jonathan
Fact Checked By: Caroline Dezendorf
Reviewed By: Matt Tanner

If you want to have fun and make the cycling experience exciting, take your child along for a cycle ride, as it is a great way to spend time together while enjoying the outdoors and getting some exercise.

It is observed that many parents use bicycles to take their children to school, to the park or to enjoy an outing on weekends.

Moreover, it is also a more economical way to travel and save money on fuel.

But you need to ensure the safety of your child first, as you need to know How To Carry a Child On a Bicycle safely.

Yes, babies require special seats or carriers to ensure that they remain comfortable and completely safe while travelling.

Not only this, there are many different ways to carry a baby and each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.

For example, some parents use a seat on the front or rear of the bicycle, and others pull a bike trailer behind the bike.

This is a guide in which we will talk about what kind of seat or trailer is safe to use for what age and the safety tips every parent should follow. This is a guide that will help you choose the best and safest way to ride with your child.

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Is It Safe to Carry a Child on a Bicycle?

Carrying a baby on a bicycle can be safe if you follow the right steps, as it is very important to understand that riding with a baby is not the same as if you are riding alone, you do have to think about the other things of child’s age, size and what kind of accessories you have to use and the laws in your area as well.

Additionally, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that over 2,000 injuries were related to child seats mounted on bikes, and 320 injuries were related to bicycle trailers.[¹]

So let’s look at each part in detail.

Age and Weight Considerations

You must understand that not all kids are ready to ride on a bike with an adult, most experts say you should wait until your child is at least 9 to 12 months old and at least don’t take him on a bike if he is younger than that.

The reason behind this is that at this age, kids actually learn to sit up on their own and their neck also becomes straight, which allows them to support the helmet while riding.

Additionally, the child bike seat comes with a weight limit of around 15 to 22 kilograms, which is 33 to 48 pounds.

If you have a bike trailer and cargo bike then it can sometimes carry more weight up to 40 to 45 kg which is actually 88 to 99 lbs, and yes it all depends on the model too, so always check the weight limit written on the product first.

IMPORTANT: Remember that young children have soft bones and can easily be injured if the bike shakes or falls, This is why you must wait until they are strong enough and can easily lift their head up, otherwise don’t put them on a bike seat or in a trailer.

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Local Laws and Regulations

You’ll also need to check the laws in your country, state, or city, as some places have rules about the minimum age of the child, the type of seat allowed for children, and helmet use.

For example, in many areas of the United States, children under the age of 1 are not allowed to ride a bike because their necks are not strong enough to handle a helmet or withstand even a slight blow.[²]

And in countries like UK, Canada or Australia the helmet laws and safety seat regulations are really very strict.

If you break the law you could face serious fines and more importantly it could also put your child in danger, so you must always follow the rules of your local area to keep you and your child safe from all kinds of incidents.

Read More:

How to Choose a Bicycle Helmet

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Importance of Using Certified Gear and Helmets

Always use the right safety gear as this is the most important part of biking with a child.

All you have to do is make sure that the helmet should be level on the head, about two fingers above the eyebrows.[³]

Make sure that your child always wears a helmet that fits his head properly whenever you go riding with him.

That’s why you should always check that the helmet meets safety standards such as USA: ASTM F1625, UK/EU: BS EN 14344:2004.[⁴]

And AS/NZS 2063 for Australia/New Zealand, because these helmets are already tested to protect your child’s head in case of a fall or accident.

Not only that, but you also need to make sure that any child seat, bike trailer, or cargo bike you’re towing is certified for safety.

You know that a properly fitted bicycle helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by up to 85%. Despite this, only 17% of fatally injured cyclists in a multi-year study were wearing a helmet.[⁵]

Therefore, look for markings or labels indicating that the device complies with international safety standards, as cheap or counterfeit products may break or not properly protect your child.

Just make sure the straps hold your child firmly in the wheels, footrests or foot straps literally help keep their feet in place so they don’t get stuck in the wheels, along with the padding, seat belts and strong buckles are also very important which provide safety as well as comfort to your baby.

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Different Ways to Carry a Child on a Bicycle

Yes, there are many ways to carry a child on a bicycle and the ideal and right choice will entirely depend on your child’s age, size and how you plan to ride with them.

As some options are better for babies and young children and some are good for older children, below are the most popular and safest ways to ride a bicycle with a child.

1. Front-Mounted Child Seats

The front-facing child seat is placed between the adult rider and the handlebar as it is best suited for infants and children between the ages of 1 year to 2.5 years.

Additionally, these seats typically support children weighing up to 15 kilograms (33 lbs).

Pros	Cons
1. You can easily see and talk to your baby while cycling.	1. This can make steering difficult and especially for new riders, it becomes even more difficult.
2. Your child will get a clear view of the road ahead, which they will really enjoy.	2. After installing it, there will be less space for the rider, which can sometimes make him feel uncomfortable.
3. It’s actually great for short and casual trips around the neighborhood or park.	3. It comes with a low weight limit, so your baby will grow faster.

This type of bike seat is best for small kids who are lightweight and like to always be near their parents.

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2. Rear-Mounted Child Seats

Therefore, these rear-facing seats are mounted on the rear of the adult bike, it can be mounted on the frame or rear rack.

Moreover, they are perfectly suitable for kids between the ages of 1 and 6 years, and they can usually bear a weight of up to 22 kilograms, which is 48 pounds or more, depending entirely on the model of the seats.

Pros	Cons
1. It provides more space and stability for older children.	1. It is difficult to see or talk to your child properly while riding.
2. When we compare the front seats the rider gets more control over the bike.	2. When the seat is full it becomes difficult to get on and off the bike.
3. As the baby gets older, you can use it for longer periods of time.	3. Some kids really feel nervous being behind the rider.

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3. Bike Trailers

A bike trailer is a small, two-wheeled car that attaches to the rear of your bicycle and can carry one or two kids at the same time, as their weight limit is around 40 to 45 kilograms, which is a combined weight capacity of 88 to 99 pounds.

Pros	Cons
1. It is very comfortable and safe when you go on a long journey.	1. This takes up more space on the road and you also have to take wider turns.
2. Most bike trailers come with weather covers, windows and seat belts for safety purpose.	2. Communicating will become difficult as your child will sit far away from you.
3. They are also very low to the ground, so there is less chance of injury in the event of a fall.	3. Bike trailers are very heavy, which is why they are heavier to pull.

Bike trailers are great and ideal for parents who want a really safe space for their kids and often ride on bike paths or quiet streets.

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4. Cargo Bikes or Longtail Bikes

These cargo bikes are specifically designed for carrying kids, groceries, or other heavy items, with some of these cargo bikes coming with seats or benches built into the front or back.

Additionally, the longtail bike comes with an extended back area that can carry 1 to 3 kids safely.

Pros	Cons
1. These are made for carrying kids as they are very sturdy and balanced.	1. These are really expensive.
2. They can easily carry multiple kids at once.	2. These can be difficult to store or lift as they are heavy and bulky items.
3. These are great for daily activities when you go to school or shopping.	3. It really takes time to get used to it especially when riding with it in traffic.

Cargo bikes are a smart choice for families who want to commute on a daily basis or want to replace short car trips with bike rides.

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5. Tandem Attachments or Tag-Alongs

These are generally called mini bikes or you can say half bikes that attach to an adult’s bicycle, and these are best suited for kids aged 4 years and above who can sit upright and pedal comfortably.

Pros	Cons
1. The good thing is that kids feel like they are part of the journey and they enjoy paddling.	1. This is not a safe option for very young children or infants.
2. It literally helps kids learn how to ride a bicycle while being connected to adults.	2. It has very little control, which can become unstable if your child stumbles or leans suddenly.
3. This would be great for kids who are too big for the seat, but still not ready to travel alone.	3. To operate it, your child needs to be able to maintain balance and hold it properly.

Yes, these are great for older kids who want to join in the fun with you and practice biking skills before riding a bike on their own.

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How to Choose the Right Option for Your Family

Choosing the best way to cycle your kids depends on a number of factors, not just on what looks good or what is cheap: You really need to think about your child’s age, weight, the type of bike you want, where you will be riding and how much space and money you can spare.

So, let’s learn all these things step-by-step so that you can easily find the best and safest option for your family.

Child’s Age, Weight & Number of Children

The first and foremost thing that you need to think about is the age and weight of your baby.

This does vary, since not all bike seats or bike trailers are good for all ages.

1. If your child is under one year old he or she is usually too young to ride a bicycle, as his or her neck is not strong enough to handle a helmet.
2. Front-mounted seats are best if your child is between 1 year and 2.5 years old and weighs around 15 kg or 33 pounds.
3. If you have older kids and they weigh up to 22 kg (48 pounds or more), rear-mounted seats are the best thing to go for.
4. If you want to ride with more than one kid and want to ride with a higher weight limit around 40 to 45 kg, which is a combined weight of 88 to 99 pounds, then go with bike trailers and cargo bikes as they are best for that.

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Bike Type & Riding Style

It does matter what type of bicycle you ride, as some bicycles are better for carrying children than others, so yes, they do matter a lot indeed.

1. Road bike or racing bike: These types of bikes are not strong enough to comfortably fit a child seat.
2. Mountain bicycles: These are usually quite sturdy, but the frame shape may not be suitable for some child seats.
3. City or commuter bicycles: These come with a flat bar and sturdy frame and are often great for fitting child seats.
4. E-Cycles: For these e-cycles you need to ensure that it can carry the extra weight safely and it should also be compatible with the kid-carrying gear.

IMPORTANT: You need to think about how and where you want to ride, as if you go on short, slow rides in the park a front or rear seat may be more suitable. But if you want to ride your bike for long distances or on rough roads then a bike trailer or cargo bike will be a safer and comfortable option.

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Distance and Terrain

This really makes a big difference in what setup you should use, and where you actually want to run it.

1. Short city trips: If you want to go on short trips in the city then the front or rear seats will be perfect.
2. Long Journeys: If you go on long journeys, rough roads or hilly areas then you will need a bike trailer or an electric cargo bike as it offers more comfort and stability and this is what makes it a great choice for it.
3. Smooth Surface: If you often ride on bike paths or smooth surfaces then you have a lot of choices as you can go with all sorts of options, because the smoother the ride, the safer and happier your child will be, so all the options are available to you.
4. Uneven roads: To ride on uneven roads, trails or gravel roads you need a bike with strong tyres and good suspension, like a bike trailer or cargo bike, which is best suited for this specification.

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Budget & Storage Space

Now, you have to think about how much money you actually wanted to spend and how much space you have to store the bicycle or other items.

1. A basic front or rear seat falls into this affordable option if you’re looking to spend $50 to $150.
2. For this amount of $150 to $500 you can get high quality bike trailers with features like weather cover, suspension and number of seats which affect the pricing whether it will be higher or lower.
3. $1000 to $4000 If you really want to spend that much money then you can go with cargo bikes, they are very expensive and also their electric ones.

IMPORTANT: You will also need to store the bicycle, trailer, or other accessories, so if you live in a small apartment or don’t have a garage, a larger trailer or cargo bicycle may not be right for you as they can be difficult to store.

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Conclusion On How To Carry a Child On a Bicycle

As parents our first priority is always your child’s comfort and safety.

Thankfully, there are a multitude of mounting options available today for all types of bikes, from front and rear child seats to bike trailers, cargo bikes, and tandem attachments, as each of these is designed to suit different ages, weights, family sizes, and riding styles, you can easily choose the one that suits your requirement.

Just don’t compromise with the safety and comfort of your kid even if it is above the budget, just wait for one more month but if you think that the specific bike seat or trailer is costly then you can wait for one more month but buy it.

It has been observed that parents often overlook the effects of surface vibrations when using kids’ bike trailers, research using accelerometers found that cobblestone roads generate high vibration levels that affect your child’s comfort and potentially safety.[⁶]

Plus, it doesn’t matter which setup you choose, because you’ll always need to follow the most important safety steps: use a properly fitted helmet, double-check that everything is secure and completely stable, and dress your child appropriately.

So just take your time, be safe and enjoy the wonderful moments with your baby.

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FAQ Section Of How To Carry a Child On a Bicycle

References:

[1] Child Injury Law Group. Bike-Towed Child Trailers and Mounted Seats Injury Report. https://www.childinjuryfirm.com/bicycle-towed-child-trailers-and-bike-mounted-seats-what-are-their-hazards-and-risks

[2] Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Bicycle Safety for Children. https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/research/areas-of-research/center-for-injury-research-and-policy/injury-topics/sports-recreation/bicycle-safety

[3] Saint Luke’s Health System. Bicycle Passenger Safety Tips. https://www.saintlukeskc.org/health-library/bicycle-passenger-safety

[4] Cycling Weekly. Best Child Bike Seats and EU Safety Certifications. https://www.cyclingweekly.com/group-tests/child-bike-seat-372941

[5] Cycling Weekly. Best Child Bike Seats and EU Safety Certifications. https://bicyclecoalition.org/partner-content-how-to-bike-safely-with-children-in-a-bike-trailer/

[6] PLOS ONE. Comfort and Vibration Level of Children in Cycle Carriers. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0282778