Do any of you have one of these? A seat for your child to ride in on the back of an adult bike? I started pricing them online and they were sooo much more expensive than I realized! I know we want lots of protection, I guess I just never gave it that much thought. If you have one or can recommend one I would really appreciate it! We rode our bikes a lot when it was just the two of us and would like to include Natalie now, too. Thanks!

By Heaventree on Sunday, April 3, 2005 - 08:08 pm:

I saw one I liked better, but I can't remember where! The seat is in the front of the bike between your legs, this way you can see the child at all times.

Maybe it was at Babies R US? I'll keep thinking.

By Cat on Sunday, April 3, 2005 - 08:11 pm:

I'd really recommend a bike trailer. They're SO much safer than the bike seats for kids. Also, don't forget helmets for everyone.

By Heaventree on Sunday, April 3, 2005 - 09:00 pm:

I haven't found it yet, but here is a site that gives you the pros and cons on each.

http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/1998/11nov/carriers.htm

In some way I agree with Cat, the trailers are more stable and closer to the ground. I don't know why, but everytime I see one, I worry about the trailer being hit by a car and they take up a lot of the road. I know that this probably doesn't make a lot of sense as it would be just as easy for a car to hit the bike. They just make me uneasy for some reason.

Cat, can you elaborate on your experience a bit more? I would be interested in hearing your experience with the trailers.

By Reds9298 on Sunday, April 3, 2005 - 09:51 pm:

I agree Heaventree..when I first saw the trailers I thought they looked great. (That was before dd got here, LOL) Now they worry me. We live way out in the country with narrow roads and the trailer really makes me nervous. And thanks Cat for the helmet tip...definitely. I would also like to hear more about bike trailer experiences.

I found a Fisher Price bike seat for $40 and all the others I found are over $100....that doesn't make me feel good!

By Cat on Sunday, April 3, 2005 - 10:26 pm:

Bike trailer/jogger

Here's one at Wal-Mart for about $100. They also have a double one for about $150. I had a double one when the boys were little and we used it as a jogger a LOT! I honestly never used it with a bike only because I didn't ride my bike then. I have read they are safer than the bike seats. I'd have to do a little research and find the articles (if I can, it's been several years). I do think it would be safer AND more comfortable for the child. One, if you wipe out on your bike the child doesn't. Two, they've got a little room to move around a little more, and can have small toys and such in there with them. Three, they're under a cover/shade so they're not getting as much of the elements (sun, wind, rain). I've gotta run right now, but I'll look around online a little bit more later and let you know what I find. Remember, these are just my opinions. You need to do your own research and make your own informed decision. (as I'm sure you would anyway )

By Kym on Monday, April 4, 2005 - 12:19 am:

We own a bike shop so I may be a little biased, however please look into getting a GOOD bike trailer, they offer so much more safety and comfort for the child, and it's usually worth it to go to your local bike store and pick one up, it may be more expensive, but if it's used a lot, in the long run it will pay to go higher priced, they usually offer great service, and again the saftey and comfort are big plusses from a higher end model. We see lots of people coming and getting ones from us after they spent the 100 bucks at Wal Mart but after they used it a few times, components start waring out. As far as getting hit by a car, they come equipped with a 6-8 foot bright orange flag, use it! My dh commutes to work w/ my 5 year old in his trailer three times a week, he puts the flag in,and ds wears his helmet and off they go!
The same goes if you'd just like to get the seat, You really need to go to a bike shop, they will install it correctly on your bike, make sure it's the right size for the child, and that the child can sit in it with the helmet on etc. So all in all my suggestion would be to take you, the child and dh to your local bicycle store and at least see what they offer

By Trina~moderator on Monday, April 4, 2005 - 06:39 am:

From the AAP:

http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics%3b108/4/1030#Recommendation

By Dawnk777 on Monday, April 4, 2005 - 07:43 am:

I had a Fisher-Price bike seat and a Burley cart. I much preferred the Burley cart, since the seat on my bike, affected how my bike moved sometimes, especially after Sarah got bigger! In the cart, they could move around, without me feeling like my bike would fall over. My kids loved the cart and usually fell asleep in it! Here in Sheboygan, we have a bike trail that starts right near my house. So, you aren't even on the road, for most of it. It's really nice.

By Dawnk777 on Monday, April 4, 2005 - 07:44 am:

Helmets definitely required at my house! Kids ride their bikes with their helmets without a fuss, at this point.

By Reds9298 on Monday, April 4, 2005 - 11:05 am:

Kym- That's a good idea. Also Dawn I can see your point about how the bike will feel once she gets bigger. I just have misgivings about the cart because of the road situation. We would never be on a bike trail. The bike trailers I have looked at were online...can't remember the company...expensive and looked to be high quality. Are they sitting upright in the bike trailer? Does it move around at all, like back and forth? I wish I could try one out first buying! (For both the seat and the trailer)

By Dawnk777 on Monday, April 4, 2005 - 11:40 am:

Burley Bee

This one doesn't look as wide as the one we have. I don't remember it moving around too much behind me. It was easy to pull, though!

By Kym on Monday, April 4, 2005 - 12:10 pm:

Burley is an Awesome brand, most bike stores will allow you to hook it up or at least push it around w/ the child in it. The Burley has a 5 point harness like a car seat, so they don't move around! Rhode Gear has a bike seat w/a 5 pt as well.

By Cat on Monday, April 4, 2005 - 01:15 pm:

It sounds like Kym might be our resident expert on biking! Kind of like Trina and car safety. Anyway, here's an article I found just by doing a google search for "child bike seat safety". This is just one of the articles that were found. There were LOTS!!! Like I said before, do your own research. Also, Kym has a great point that if you're going to be using it a lot, go for quality rather than the cheapest out there. It will be worth it in the long run. Good luck!

Child Carriers: Tips for Runners, Bikers, and Hikers

By Cat on Monday, April 4, 2005 - 03:11 pm:

Here's another great link.

By Kym on Monday, April 4, 2005 - 06:24 pm:

I don't know about expert;) but I've been with the bicycle boy for 16 years, and have 4 kids who've been toted around in their Burley since each were about 6 months old. Also in working at the store on a limited basis,I've talked with many people and like you said, quality is so important, it's a shame when folks go for the cheapest brand than have to spend more money to replace it with a decent model. I think the same goes for anything, buy good, buy it once!

By Fraggle on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 06:51 pm:

I was wondering the same thing. My oldest DD can ride now without training wheels so my DH and I think it is now time for us to get bikes so we can keep up with her, but my youngest DD would need to be in some kind of seat. I just looked at the price of Burley online and there is no way DH is going to pay that much for a bike trailer that we will probably only use for a couple of months this year. Are there any less expensive trailers that anyone can recommend?

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 10:24 pm:

I've been researching the Burley Bee and other carts a little more. I just don't think I would feel comfortable with a trailer where we live/ride. I am going to go to a local bike shop for a bicycle seat though and have them install and check it out. I hadn't thought of that before and it's a really good idea. Thanks Kym (resident bike *expert*).

By Annie2 on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 12:35 am:

I have had back of the bike seats for my kids for years. I do not remember any brand names. I made sure they were secure. The only problem I would run into is finding tiny helmets that fit their heads so the helmet would not slip down over their eyes. We rode on paths and bike friendly roads. Never a problem. I also didn't like the idea of the kids in a trailer behind the bike where I couldn't talk to them about what we were seeing, enjoying, etc.

Now that my kids are older biking is still a family fun sport. NOw my big concern is that they aren't going to stop at stop signs, yield to other people, bump each other.....there is always something to fret about with kids!

By Dandjmom on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 08:47 am:

Deanna, I saw one on Toy's R Us website yesterday in the clearence section.