Bike commuting with kids - any tips?
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Anonymous
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Thinking about the commute next year. We were matched for pk with a school less than a mile from our house, not to far off the route to both my partner and my offices. We'd like to split up the day, one of us doing morning, the other afternoon. Anyone do this on bike? Bus/metro will be our backup plan.
Can we cut it with just one bike trailer that we leave at the school? Any gear recs or other tips? |
Anonymous
| At that age, a bike seat on each bike might be easier/less bulky. But you'd have to check with school to make sure you can leave the trailer - probably hitched up to a bike rack. You will want a helmet - they have toddler helmets you can easily get. We got the CoPilot seat - really like it. As for trailers, Burley is one of the more popular ones, but it is very heavy, and while it can work as a stroller, too, it really isn't designed that way. Schwinn makes a great one that works beautifully as a stroller (so you can always bike there, stroller home). Baby Jogger makes a City trailer/stroller that also works really well as both a trailer and a stroller, but it is pricier than the Schwinn. We ended up getting the Schwinn...about a month before they came out with the City. It has held up quite well over the years. |
Anonymous
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If you want a combo bike/stroller, Cougar Chariot is a good option (not cheap, but sometimes you can buy/sell used so that helps either way).
TBH, I don't think any of the options for biking with kids are great, so I might be inclined to just walk. It's funny--my kid walked 2/3 of a mile every day to/from daycare as a 3 yr old, but now complains about that distance as a 10 yr old. 
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Anonymous
This bike seat will be the best option because it is rated to a really high weight- 77 pounds. That means you will easily be able to use it for the next 3-4 years if you want. Two of them would be $350. You would probably want to get a basic rack for each bike, those are probably around $30-40 each http://www.amazon.com/Bobike-Junior-Rear-Child-Seat/dp/B008Y5UMTW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1429406757&sr=8-2&keywords=bobike I am a daily biker and would heavily recommend biking as the way to get around. It is sooooo much faster than any other way at rush hour for distances less than 3 miles or so. BicycleSpace is a great shop and I would go there first to see what they have for you. |
Anonymous
| Bike trailers are scary because the cars can't see them. Look at Yepp seats. |
Anonymous
| We found that it was much easier with a bike seat than with our trailer, so we bought a Yepp, which has been great. We just didn't trust that the trailer would be safe in our charter's neighborhood, even locked up. Also, there were days this winter when we had to drive because of the weather--just would not have been safe. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| I looked into all the options before deciding a trailer was the safest option for my son. (See http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2009/05/bicycle-seats-vs-bike-trailers-for-children/index.htm for a good summary of the pros and cons of each option.) I found an almost new Burley on Craigslist for a fraction of the price of a new one, and my son loves riding in it. It has an orange flag for increased visibility, but I still ride more cautiously than I would if I were riding alone. It's easy to unhook from the bike, so if you had a hitch on each bike, I would think you could manage with just one (assuming the school has a safe place to keep the trailer). |
Anonymous
| What do people recommend for two kids? I'm pretty skeptical about the InStep trailers, but I'm guessing there isn't any other options. |
Anonymous
| I use a Workcycle FR8 for a daily commute with two kids who probably total 90 to100 pounds. |
Anonymous
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You can do either a trailer or a bike seat (we have both) but the seat is way more convenient. And easier to navigate in rush hour traffic. We got our Yepp and the racks to go with them at BicycleSPACE. We were thrilled with their level of knowledge and customer service. Also get a very bright set of front and rear flashing lights for both bikes (and the trailer).
One suggestion is that warm/weatherproof clothes for the toddler's commute are paramount. I figure it's one thing if I get wet/cold on the bike, but I'm working major muscle group. The little one is on/in the back at the mercy of the elements--although the trailer helps with that somewhat. |
Anonymous
| Another fan of Bicycle Space here, where we bought both our trailer and our bike seat. oP, I recommend going down and talking with them about what will best suit your needs. |
Anonymous
Cargo bikes like Xtracycle or Yuba with accessories for hauling kids on the back instead of cargo. |
Anonymous
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Bike seats: If bike goes down, child goes down. Yea, they are convenient, but at what price?
Burley trailers are the best. I carry my 5- and 3-year-old in it. They love riding in it, and their classmates are jealous, which is key for them. |
Anonymous
What the what. |
Anonymous
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My twins grew out of our Burley Bee trailer around age 4 - width-wise, they weren't comfortable and didn't fit well. We upgraded to a Croozer Kid for 2, which is one of the widest doubles on the market, and they will likely fit well until about 6.
I slipped on a patch ice and crashed on my bike one morning on our way to school - in the trailer, the kids were stable and safe. The trailer also has the advantage of being able to bundle them in blankets. |