Buggies on escalators...

[Hrc152]

Thoughts? I live in greater London and occasionally use the tube and until now I've never been near an escalator with the buggy. Always gone routes though stations with lifts. But now I am just exhausted with spending hours going really long routes and I see people going on the escalator with their buggies and seem perfectly fine! I have a baby jogger city elite and gt, but feeling I probably need an umbrella type if I'm gonna attempt this one... Oh and LO is 18months...

[ChippingInLovesSunshine]

I have, I do, I would - but be prepared to be told you don't love your child enough if you aren't prepared to trek the himalayas to get home of an evening!

My main concern with the BJE would be if it's too wide and would take up the whole width of a step so people couldn't get past, which, of course, would cause London to grind to a halt.

[5madthings]

What chipping said. I have and I do do this and have done it in London as well on the rube etc. I gave a wrist strap on the pushchair which attaches round my wrist as well as holding onto the handles.

Yes to a narrow pushchair.


Now waits for the flaming to begin...

[Startail]

Guilty

My very rigid, big three wheeler mountain buggy went on hundreds of escalator rides. It's hammock seat leans back such that even a three year old can't tip it forwards if the straps are set right.

It's was a total liability in lifts, the front wheel covet was very low and *sharp metal. People don't see it and tripped over it in confined spaces. I was always afraid of some on stepping back into it and falling into DDs lap.

• I had split plastic tubing round it, modern one are moulded plastic.
  
  I did take the umbrella buggy on escalators very occasionally, but it was too light and upright to ever feel safe.

[CitizenOscar]

DH does it often, with standard size buggy (not umbrella fold) with no problems.

I tend to avoid cos it stresses me out. I have visions of catching the corner and toppling head over heels and breaking my neck and DS.

But I've never noticed anyone looking sniffy. I'm probably too busy hyperventilating with fear

[ChippingInLovesSunshine]

Oh and I'd be less likely to do it with a flimsy umbrella fold than a 'proper' buggy with bigger wheels myself.

[5madthings]

I go on the escalators with my instep nipper 360. Its quite narrow and people could get past me when I went on the escalators in London.

[Nanny01]

I've taken my bjcm on the underground it was fine.

[flatmum]

I do it all the time and have been for 10 years with 3 children and 3 different buggies. No incidents whatsoever. It's fine as long as you are not a complete klutz.

I have never understood why this is one on the majot MN judgy pants things to do with your child - there are far more dangerous things to do with them.

[tethersend]

Agree with Chipping- big wheels are much better.

Have done it for years with a bugaboo cameleon and now with a micralite fastfold; both have air filled rear tyres.

People will squeeze past; TBH, they've only to wait 30seconds if they can't, so they can fuck right off if they want to moan about it.

[Lioninthesun]

Isn't this silly that in the 21st Century there are STILL not enough lifts/proper services for wheelchairs and buggies?

[chattychattyboomba]

My thoughts exactly lion. I rarely catch the tube in case there are too many steps- never mind escalators! I am happy to use one with bugaboo chameleon. Bollocks to anyone who sticks their nose up. I'd like to see them try to live a normal life in London with a child without catching the tube.
I do catch the bus wherever possible though and avoid peak hour if i can.

[chattychattyboomba]

Btw just putting it out there- did you know that you can fit a buggy in a normal black cab and it is perfectly legal? They are TFL just like jumping on a bus. You can wedge the buggy into the wheelchair space and use the wheelchair buckle to secure the buggy. I use the Hailo app and it is a lifesaver. (I promise i don't work for them! Lol)

[JessKM]

It's impossible to get around London otherwise.... to the mums telling impatient knobs to sod off when the push past!

I've Quinny zapped my way around the tube network for 3 years, with no incidents although beware at bank station on the central line....there's a hellos a gap between the tube and the platform...just about the size of a good buggy wheel!!!!

[PatsysPyjamas]

London is ridiculous. We have a very basic metro system up here in the North East and there are lifts at every station. I don't take buggies on escalators personally, but that's about me. I've never noticed anyone judging others and I'm happy for DH to do it. When I've been in London, people have always been quick to offer a hand carrying the buggy on stairs (that's possibly my panic attack expression kicking in)

[PatsysPyjamas]

That cab thing is also true outside London.

[Lioninthesun]

I don't live in London and it is really time consuming checking TFL website for tubes with lifts etc just to make sure we aren't stuck somewhere. I ended up carrying DD, nappy bag, buggy and a big bag with a present over a big bridge on my own when we came up for a birthday party. Then I wished I HAD gone in rush hour - at least someone might have helped me! Empty ticket office too. What would I have done if I had been in a wheelchair?

[chattychattyboomba]

Maybe we should start a petition? Why should the disabled/childabled not have access to all public transport? Isn't that discrimination?

[Hrc152]

I TOTALLY agree it's disgusting that there are not more lifts. Every time I go on the tube I wonder what on earth it must be like to have a disability, when I am finding it so hard just with a pushchair. I have often thought about starting some kind of petition.... Hmmm.... The amount of times I have stood at the top/bottom of a flight of stairs, staring desperately at every healthy looking man who walks by to see if he will help with the pushchair!!

Anyway I thought this topic would generate a bit of discussion! That is so interesting about the big wheels I really thought a maclaren would be the way to go, but I had also wondered what would happen if he decided to fling himself forward whilst heading down an escalator... I have a GT but its just so wide... Maybe it's time for a bugaboo... DH would kill me!!

[JessKM]

If were going down the escalators go down backwards facing to pushchair...just incise there's any kamikaze baby attempt!

[Hrc152]

Ha yes good point but then there is the whole walking backwards on to an escalator thing...!!! I feel convinced I will just fall straight over!

[Ilovelists]

Noooo don't do big wheels. The back wheel of my phil&teds got stuck at the bottom of the escalator at South Ken tube. It was awful. Huge pile up and two screaming children as people rammed into me until someone pushed the emergency stop button. Sorry to be doom and gloom but don't do it!!

[Hrc152]

Oh goodness that's awful!! But thanks for the heads up. Got my heart set on a mac XT now :)

[Startail]

Never got my big inflatable tyres stuck anywhere and they were far easier to bounce up curls, shop steps, on to escalators and into lifts than stupid tiny swivel wheels that went sideways and jammed.

Far far nicer ride for DD too.

[Startail]

Curbs

[ChippingInLovesSunshine]

I agree with Startail. I've done it with Phil & Ted, Out & About & Mothercare XT - all big fat wheels, never a problem. The only problem I had when I was in London was the big cubs and small wheels on a lighter umbrella buggy - never again.

Wait until the posters come on tomorrow to tell you that you should sling the toddler and if you don't, your clearly a negligent parent