If you are wanting to get out on your bike with your children, you have quite a few options available to help you do that. Choose what works for your family!
If your child is small (under about six years old), you will mostly likely have him attached to your bike in some manner. Trailers, trailer bikes, tandems, or a coupler to connect a child's bike to yours are the options you'll be choosing from.
A trailer is wonderful in that the child can sleep when he wants, can play with toys while you are riding, and can be easily protected from the elements. In addition, the trailer may provide additional space for gear.
Trailers aren't perfect though; there are some disadvantages. Many parents find their children sleep all day in the trailer and then want to play all night when the parents need to sleep. Also, some children can get frustrated that they are not part of the team helping to propel the bike.
Trailer bikes are one-wheeled contraptions that attach to the back of your bike. Your child will be able to pedal when he feels like it and rest when he wants. Some trailer bikes come with gears, which is highly recommended so your child can help pedal up hills. This option has the advantage in that the child feels he is helping with the workload. When you reach the top of a hill, he knows he's helped and can be proud of his accomplishments. He is a member of a team and takes full credit for victories won.
The down side to trailer bikes is that the child is very exposed to the elements. Even with proper rain gear, hands and feet are very difficult to protect when the weather turns bad. Another fear is that of falling asleep. Due to the gentle rocking motion of the bike, your child may nod off while riding.
A tandem is a great option for touring with children. Many of the advantages of the tandem are the same as for the trailer bike - being part of a team and being able to help out with the workload. But the tandem also has the advantage of pedaling in sync. As the pedals are hooked together, a child on the back of a tandem learns to pedal with a normal cadence and is more closely connected to the captain. You can carry on a conversation easier due to sheer proximity. In addition, the tandem is more rigid than a trailer bike so is a more efficient machine.
Disadvantages of the tandem are primarily price related. Tandems are not cheap. Besides that, the tandem is forever together and you can not simply disconnect it to run errands by yourself. Another disadvantage to tandems or bigger multiples is the hassle of shipping them - they are very much oversized and some airlines won't take them.
The last option for touring with small children is using a coupler that will connect a small child's bike on to the back of your bike. With this option, your child can ride on his own when safe, but can be connected to you when in traffic. The two connectors currently available are the Trail Gator Tow Bar and the Follow Me coupler.
A single bike may be a great option for an older child. Be sure to consider your child - physical strength, coordination, ability to be aware of surroundings, experience in traffic, and maturity. If your child is capable of controlling his own bike, it can be great for self esteem. If not, it can lead to disaster.
Many families have kids of varying ages, so find a combination of some sort works best for them. A tandem with a trailer works well, and the trailer bike companies are now making them so a trailer can be attached behind. It makes a long train, but allows a family to get out on tour - which is a good thing! - 32193
If your child is small (under about six years old), you will mostly likely have him attached to your bike in some manner. Trailers, trailer bikes, tandems, or a coupler to connect a child's bike to yours are the options you'll be choosing from.
A trailer is wonderful in that the child can sleep when he wants, can play with toys while you are riding, and can be easily protected from the elements. In addition, the trailer may provide additional space for gear.
Trailers aren't perfect though; there are some disadvantages. Many parents find their children sleep all day in the trailer and then want to play all night when the parents need to sleep. Also, some children can get frustrated that they are not part of the team helping to propel the bike.
Trailer bikes are one-wheeled contraptions that attach to the back of your bike. Your child will be able to pedal when he feels like it and rest when he wants. Some trailer bikes come with gears, which is highly recommended so your child can help pedal up hills. This option has the advantage in that the child feels he is helping with the workload. When you reach the top of a hill, he knows he's helped and can be proud of his accomplishments. He is a member of a team and takes full credit for victories won.
The down side to trailer bikes is that the child is very exposed to the elements. Even with proper rain gear, hands and feet are very difficult to protect when the weather turns bad. Another fear is that of falling asleep. Due to the gentle rocking motion of the bike, your child may nod off while riding.
A tandem is a great option for touring with children. Many of the advantages of the tandem are the same as for the trailer bike - being part of a team and being able to help out with the workload. But the tandem also has the advantage of pedaling in sync. As the pedals are hooked together, a child on the back of a tandem learns to pedal with a normal cadence and is more closely connected to the captain. You can carry on a conversation easier due to sheer proximity. In addition, the tandem is more rigid than a trailer bike so is a more efficient machine.
Disadvantages of the tandem are primarily price related. Tandems are not cheap. Besides that, the tandem is forever together and you can not simply disconnect it to run errands by yourself. Another disadvantage to tandems or bigger multiples is the hassle of shipping them - they are very much oversized and some airlines won't take them.
The last option for touring with small children is using a coupler that will connect a small child's bike on to the back of your bike. With this option, your child can ride on his own when safe, but can be connected to you when in traffic. The two connectors currently available are the Trail Gator Tow Bar and the Follow Me coupler.
A single bike may be a great option for an older child. Be sure to consider your child - physical strength, coordination, ability to be aware of surroundings, experience in traffic, and maturity. If your child is capable of controlling his own bike, it can be great for self esteem. If not, it can lead to disaster.
Many families have kids of varying ages, so find a combination of some sort works best for them. A tandem with a trailer works well, and the trailer bike companies are now making them so a trailer can be attached behind. It makes a long train, but allows a family to get out on tour - which is a good thing! - 32193
About the Author:
Want some inspiration for bicycling with childen. Stop by Nancy Sathre-Vogel's site where you can follow a family bicycling from Alaska to Argentina.
