Bicycling with children can be even more fun on a trailer bike than in a trailer. It will depend on your child if she is big enough to ride a trailer bike. Most children will be able to graduate from a trailer to a trailer bike at around age 3 or 4.
A trailer bike (tag-along, trail-a-bike) is the next step up from a trailer. It is a one-wheeled contraption that hooks on to the back of your bike so your child can help you pedal. The basic requirement will be for her feet to reach the pedals - once she's that size, chances are she'll love being part of the team!
There are advantages and disadvantages of the trailer bike to consider:
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:
In the trailer, it is easy to close the rain flap and keep the child protected from rain or cold. On the trailer bike, she is exposed to the elements.
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!
Just as you can't grind up hills in a high gear, neither can she. Get a trailer bike with gears so your child can help you pedal up those killer hills.
Most likely, your child will love cycling with you on her trailer bike. It'll be a joy for both of you! - 32193
A trailer bike (tag-along, trail-a-bike) is the next step up from a trailer. It is a one-wheeled contraption that hooks on to the back of your bike so your child can help you pedal. The basic requirement will be for her feet to reach the pedals - once she's that size, chances are she'll love being part of the team!
There are advantages and disadvantages of the trailer bike to consider:
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:
In the trailer, it is easy to close the rain flap and keep the child protected from rain or cold. On the trailer bike, she is exposed to the elements.
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!
Just as you can't grind up hills in a high gear, neither can she. Get a trailer bike with gears so your child can help you pedal up those killer hills.
Most likely, your child will love cycling with you on her trailer bike. It'll be a joy for both of you! - 32193
About the Author:
Looking for info on bicycling with children, then visit www.familyonbikes.org to find the best advice on taking children bicycling.
