Author Topic: Kid transporting via bike  (Read 2278 times)

redwagon

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Kid transporting via bike
« on: August 02, 2018, 06:11:29 AM »
Kid transporting via bike

Situation

Need a way to transport our 4 year old (43 or so pounds) a short distance in limited time (have 10 minutes to move a distance that usually takes 20 min by foot).

Constraints

Little guy is great on scooter but won't be fast enough to make required journey and will likely be very tired at end of day. He is not ready to do the trip independently on a bike (not fast enough and we will need to cross a couple dangerous busy streets).

We have limited storage space at our home to keep extra gear- Ie. Don't really have space to keep a bike trailer or trailer bike (nor am I keen ride near bad drivers on a busy street this way)

Do not want to spend a bunch of money on a setup that we will probably only use for one year


Solution I had decided on:

Bobike Junior seat - reviews seem pretty good and I found someone that will sell me a used one


Problem with this option :

I have a beloved older mountain bike that I wanted to mount the seat on. Unfortunately I have shifter cables running on one of my rear stays and the frame extending below seat post where you would normally mount the seat connections. I'm not a bike expert but I'm assuming you presence of cables prohibits my ability to install the seat.


Looking for suggestions:

Due to costs, lack of storage and the short term nature of this problem I'm currently not keen on investing in a new bike that will allow me to mount the seat, a bike trailer or trailing bike.

There are a couple other European kid seats (Polisport Guppy, Qibbel Jr) I found that mount on heavy load rear racks but I'm worried about having similar cable problem with mounting a rack...

Please feel free to chime in and offer any opinions you may have?. Thanks.

merula

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Re: Kid transporting via bike
« Reply #1 on: August 02, 2018, 09:15:55 AM »
I hear you about the bike trailer and trail-a-bike taking up space, but I don't see a way around your cable issue, so I'd suggest reconsidering the trail-a-bike.

My 4 y/o rides a trail-a-bike and really loves riding a "grown-up" bike. It's super fast to get him on and off (he can get his helmet on and climb on the bike by himself), and the attachment is also pretty easy. If you have a space to hang it on a wall, a trail-bike might  take up less space than a seat (unless you're going to keep the seat mounted on the bike all the time). This is also a potential longer-term option, as he'll be able to ride the trail-a-bike for years on trips that are a little to far on his own.

On safely, my version has a rear flag, and the bike doesn't trail quite as far back as our trailer, so it's pretty visible and I've never had an issue. (My older child also rode the trail-a-bike starting at 4.)

I know that 4 is a little young for most trail-a-bike recommendations. My son is shorter than average for his age, but can still reach the pedals. He does have better balance than average (rides without training wheels on his own bike), but I don't think the kid's balance comes into play as much on a trail-a-bike.

redwagon

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Re: Kid transporting via bike
« Reply #2 on: August 04, 2018, 10:02:25 AM »
Thanks for your input. I'll give the trail-a-bike some more consideration. I'm a bit afraid my little guy will find it too comfy and fall asleep and need something like this https://www.sweetpetes.com/product/adams-back-rest-241497-1.htm to keep him from falling off...

merula

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Re: Kid transporting via bike
« Reply #3 on: August 06, 2018, 07:44:08 AM »
Thanks for your input. I'll give the trail-a-bike some more consideration. I'm a bit afraid my little guy will find it too comfy and fall asleep and need something like this https://www.sweetpetes.com/product/adams-back-rest-241497-1.htm to keep him from falling off...

I was worried about that, too, because my kid was still falling asleep in the bike seat when he started riding on the trail-a-bike, but I haven't had an issue. I think the trail-a-bike is more active, with the holding on and pedaling? (Though my kid hardly ever pedals, to be honest.)

NorCal Stubble

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Re: Kid transporting via bike
« Reply #4 on: August 08, 2018, 06:54:51 AM »
I opted for the trail gator. It hooks up to my kids existing bike and turns it into a tag along. I have super limited space too, so this was the best option for me. It's simply a bar and super easy to put on and off. I use it every day to pick up my kid from school/summer camp.


MadamHook

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Re: Kid transporting via bike
« Reply #5 on: August 09, 2018, 09:38:32 AM »
I really like having a kid's seat that goes between me and the handlebars. This is the one I have: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Children-Bicycle-Seat-Quick-Release-Seat-Bike-Saddle-for-Kids-ciclismo-Safety-Seat-with-Armrest-Pedal/32813525900.html
That may be too long for shipping, but you can find the same product from different sellers with faster (albeit not free) shipping.

At a bit higher price-point is this one: https://www.tyketoter.com/tyke-toter/
I haven't used it personally, but it looks like it would work fine.

Freedomin5

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Re: Kid transporting via bike
« Reply #6 on: August 20, 2018, 01:31:09 AM »
I tied a rope to my kid’s scooter’s handlebars, and I pull my 4-year-old while she stands on the scooter. Her scooter is the kind that has two wheels in front and one in the back.  I can go at my speed, and my kid doesn’t get tired.

Alfred J Quack

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Re: Kid transporting via bike
« Reply #7 on: September 06, 2018, 05:46:28 AM »
When my son started school at around 4.5 years we had a kid bike with training wheels where he can't fall over (unless he did something dumb). We took the time to walk him from/to school on the sidewalk which was relatively safe and assisted him in crossing (while teaching him to look carefully and the rules in general).
When his biking improved we took the training wheels off and started to bike behind him, giving instructions in the meantime. Nearly a.year later he can bike to and from school independently if he wants to (but we don't, cause of his age).

Maybe this is an option for you too?

singpolyma

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Re: Kid transporting via bike
« Reply #8 on: September 06, 2018, 06:16:56 AM »
http://www.trail-gator.com/

Much less storage space than a whole trail-a-bike assuming you kid already has a bicycle.

MaybeBabyMustache

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Re: Kid transporting via bike
« Reply #9 on: September 06, 2018, 07:47:47 AM »
When my son started school at around 4.5 years we had a kid bike with training wheels where he can't fall over (unless he did something dumb). We took the time to walk him from/to school on the sidewalk which was relatively safe and assisted him in crossing (while teaching him to look carefully and the rules in general).
When his biking improved we took the training wheels off and started to bike behind him, giving instructions in the meantime. Nearly a.year later he can bike to and from school independently if he wants to (but we don't, cause of his age).

Maybe this is an option for you too?

Pretty much this, minus the training wheels. We accompanied our kids, but they rode their bikes & stayed on the sidewalk. We demonstrated proper crossing safety, and by the time they were five or so, they could do it on their own. Note, we didn't let them, but they would have been capable. In our area, there's no bus service for schools, so our kids ride to/from 6 miles/day. It's not ideal, but I'm really happy they are both comfortable on their bikes.

fatcow240

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Re: Kid transporting via bike
« Reply #10 on: September 06, 2018, 08:13:01 AM »
http://www.trail-gator.com/

Much less storage space than a whole trail-a-bike assuming you kid already has a bicycle.
This is my recommendation.  I use this to take my 5 year old to school each morning.  This is 1.7 miles one way.  There is a 1.4 mile route, but it has busy roads.


I have also taken my 3 year old on some short trips.  These are mainly on bike paths or neighborhoods.  She hasn't had any issues.


I use a bike trailer when I am taking both girls.  The bike trailer can also block rain or cold better.


I will have to look into a 3 kid option soon.  I'm looking at http://bunchbike.com/, but I can't see myself spending that.