A bike trailer is an attractive alternative to a baby carrier, enabling you to transport one or two children safely and comfortably on daily commutes or family outings. Comfortably installed in its seat, your child will enjoy moving around in its environment, taking in the scenery, and even taking a nap when tired. Depending on how and how often you use your trailer, some models will suit you better than others. Here are a few tips to help you decide.
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CHILD'S BIKE TRAILER
- with or without protective cab ;
- for one or two passengers;
- simple or modular;
- seatpost-mounted or rear-wheel-mounted.
ALL ABOUT BIKE TRAILERS
Useful for taking your child with you when he or she is not yet old enough to ride a bike, or not yet ready to cover long enough distances, bike trailers are designed to accommodate one or two passengers - depending on the model - aged 0 to 5 years.
Built around a steel or aluminum frame, children's trailers can take the form of a simple unprotected seat, but more often than not feature a soft cab offering protection from the sun, wind or even rain as it passes by.
They are generally equipped with two 20" wheels. One or two (small) removable wheels can be added to certain models, enabling them to be transformed into urban or running strollers, or even pulkas for cross-country skiing.
When it comes to attaching the trailer to the bike, there are two types of attachment. Some models have a long arm located in the axis of the bike, which attaches directly to the seatpost, while others are equipped with a side drawbar and towing hook; the attachment point is then located at the rear wheel axle, on the left side (opposite the transmission). Most standard bicycles with 26" to 29" / 700c wheels (road bikes, mountain bikes, mountain bikes, city bikes) can be used with a bike trailer, but check that the model you choose is compatible with your bike.
WHICH BIKE TRAILER IS RIGHT FOR MY CHILD AND MY RIDING STYLE?
Comfort criteria
The first thing to consider when choosing your bike trailer is your child's comfort! Choose a model with a sufficiently large interior - according to your child's age and size - so that he or she can feel at ease. The dimensions inside the trailer are also important to consider. If you need to transport small children (up to 9/12 months), the trailer must also be able to accommodate an accessory (hammock, shell, support seat) to secure their position.
Manufacturers make sure that the cabins of their trailers are well ventilated, to ensure maximum comfort for the child. There are also trailers with adjustable tops, and accessories - supplied or available separately - to adapt the cabin configuration to the weather (rain cover, mosquito net, sunshade, etc.).
On some models, the trailer chassis incorporates a suspension system, useful for longer trail rides.
So go for practicality!
The more frequently you use your trailer, the easier it should be to handle! A trailer you'll only use occasionally on vacation doesn't need to be as practical as one you'll use every day!
Most bike trailers can be folded for easy storage or transport in the trunk of a car, for example. If you're going to be using your bike trailer frequently, you'll want to opt for modular models, which are the easiest to handle. These trailers come with pedestrian kits, city kits or stroller kits - depending on what they're called - which enable them to be transformed into traditional strollers. These kits include one or two small wheels to be added at the front, a wide rear handle, braking and wheel-locking systems to facilitate driving in small spaces and make parking safer.
Safety first!
Because of its low position, a bicycle trailer is not necessarily very visible to cars and other bicycles. That's why it's essential to equip your trailer with a signal flag, reflectors and a rear lighting system if you're riding at night. For frequent city use, we also recommend trailers with front/rear bumpers.
In addition, since March 22, 2017, French regulations have made it compulsory for children under the age of 12 to wear a helmet when cycling (Article R. 431-1-3 of the French Highway Code). The law makes no distinction between a child on a bike and a child passenger on a bike.
WHY CHOOSE A BICYCLE TRAILER OVER A BABY-CARRIER SEAT?
Compared with other means of transporting children by bike, such as a baby-carrier seat, a trailer offers a number of advantages!
Well protected inside its cabin and comfortably installed in its seat, the child is less exposed to outside elements such as rain or wind. They feel less the irregularities of the road, especially if the trailer is equipped with suspension. The experience can also be more playful, surrounded by his little things, rather than in a baby-carrier seat, where he may be less free in his movements!
For parents too, fitting and removing a bike trailer can be much simpler than installing a rear seat. Cycling is made easier, since the weight of the trailer is not directly supported by the bicycle, as is the case with a baby-carrier seat, which can cause imbalances. Finally, some bike trailers can take two children, and offer additional storage space, not to mention freeing up space on the rear rack... So many advantages for family outings over several days!
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