If you've been bicycling with your children in a trailer, and are wondering if she is big enough to graduate to a trailer bike, chances are - maybe. Everything depends on your child, but most children will be ready to move onto a trailer bike by about age 3 or 4, at least for short rides. Some kids at that age will be able to ride across the country on a trailer bike!
A trailer bike (tag-along, trail-a-bike) can make bicycling with children a delight for everyone involved. A one-wheeled machine that hooks on to your bike, a trailer bike is perfect for small kids who are big enough to reach the pedals. If she can ride it, she will love helping you pedal and being part of a team.
There are both pros and cons for the trailer bike. Consider them carefully:
Advantages: Your child will struggle and sweat right along with you as you climb hills together as a team. When you reach the top, she will rejoice in the success - she knows she is not dead weight.
She can pedal when she wants. On the trailer bike, her pedals are independent of yours, so your child can pedal when she wants and take a break when she's tired.
Disadvantages: You will have to plan for rain or other inclement weather more carefully. In the trailer, it is easy to protect the child but is much more difficult on the trailer bike.
Just like being lulled to sleep in a car, your child can easily fall asleep on her trailer bike. If you feel a jerking on your bike - stop!
Cheaper trailer bikes do not come with gears, which means she will not be able to pedal going up hills. If you want to do any serious riding, you'll need to get gears on the trailer bike and teach her to use them.
Most likely, your child will love cycling with you on her trailer bike. It'll be a joy for both of you!
Want to find out more about bicycling with children, then visit Nancy Sathre-Vogel's site for resources and tips about bicycling as a family.
Comments
I should probably be ashamed to say this, but I have never even seen this before. I wish I would have known about this when my children were smaller.
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