What type of bike seat do you need for your child?
It's important to ask yourself a few questions to ensure you’re looking for the right type of bike seat for your child:
What type of bike do you have?
How sturdy is it and what is the suspension like?
How old is your child?
Where are you going to be cycling (rough country lanes or smooth paths or roads)?
The two main options are rear-mounted child bike seats and front-mounted child bike seats. As the name suggests, rear seats sit behind the cyclist, while front seats are positioned between you and the handlebars.
To complicate things just a little further, there are also multiple ways to attach both type of seat to your bike. And there are also a few ‘shotgun’ styles, which fit mid-frame allowing your child to sit between your own seat and the handlebars. We’ve put together a summary of the different kinds of child bike seats available, to help you choose one that’s right for you and your child.
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Rear-mounted child bike seats
Rear-mounted seats are suitable for use from around nine months and can generally last up to five years. Prices range anywhere from £60 (for example the Polisport Groovy Frame-Mounted Baby Seat) to £100+ like the Thule Ride Along 2.
There are three main types of rear seat attachment, and your choice will probably depend on the type of bike you have. If you’re riding a bike with rear suspension, you’ll need one that attaches to the seat stem and cantilevers out over the wheel, like the Hamax Siesta. If your bike has a rear carrier rack, you might be better off with a seat that is designed to attach there, like the Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 Maxi. If your bike has neither of these things, you could go for the third option, which attaches both to the seat stem and the bike’s stays for added security.
Rear-mounted seats are generally thought to be more secure for the child, as there’s more room on the back for extra padding and protective layers. In addition, many rear-mounted models can be reclined to provide a relaxing environment for your child to snooze in.
However, the position can make the bike feel slightly unbalanced depending on how far back on the frame it’s placed, and this may make it harder to control the bike itself. There’s also the downside that you have your back to your child, who spends the whole journey looking at your bottom instead of the road or path ahead.
Front-mounted child bike seats
Front-mounted seats are generally suitable for children aged between nine months and three years. Most attach to the handlebar stem, but some require an extra bar to be fitted between the handlebar and your seat tube (like the Weeride Safe Ride bike seat).
There are obvious benefits to a front-mounted seat: it allows easy interaction between you and your child, they get a nicer view (not that your behind isn’t lovely) and you get the fun of watching them ‘steer’ the bike. Front mounted seats also put the child’s weight in the centre of the bike rather than on the end, making the bike more stable and therefore easier to manoeuvre. This may therefore be a good option for less confident cyclists.
While there’s no room for a recline feature, many front-mounted seats include a sleeping rest for your child to lean on during naps. This means that even when their head inevitably falls forwards, there’s somewhere for them to rest it without being uncomfortable.
However, because your child sits in front of you, they’ll be more exposed to the elements than if your body was offering some protection. You may also find that as they get older your passenger, or their helmet may reduce your visibility. Some models may also get in the way of pedalling, requiring a slightly bow-legged position which can affect your speed and comfort.
Check out Cycling UK, a charity that provides advice and support to enable everyone to ride a bike safely. It has a fantastic guide to child bike seats with useful information for parents on how to make cycling with kids safe and comfortable. Whichever type of seat you go for, make sure that it’s compatible with your bike before purchasing.
Essential tips for choosing a child bike seat
Safety first: Choose a seat with protective features, such as plastic shields and foot straps, to keep your child safe from bike spokes.
Easy switching between bikes: Consider how easy it is to remove and attach the seat if switching between bikes. Seats like the Thule RideAlong 2 are designed for easy transfer between bikes.
Transporting multiple children: Both front- and rear-mounted bike seats enable one adult to cycle with multiple children, but the extra weight can make the bike harder to control; consider a bike trailer for better stability.
Bike trailers for kids, while pricier, provide a comfortable ride for children and cargo, but can make it harder to hear and see your children and require extra fitness to pull, especially uphill.
How to feel safe when using a child bike seat
Small fingers and heavy bike springs don’t mix well, so if you’re going for a rear-mounted seat and you have a sprung saddle, you’ll need to buy a fingerguard or seat post protector like the EMSea Seatpost Cover
If you’re cycling in the early morning or evening, you should invest in some bright, reflective gear. Adding a reflective sticker to the back of a rear seat will make it easier for traffic to spot you and encourage them to take more care.
Consider buying a child bike seat windshield like the Polysport Windscreen to shelter your child from the elements – just make sure you can still see where you’re going!
If your child likes to snooze while on the move, a neck cushion can provide extra support and prevent their head from being bounced around, but this is unlikely to be provided with the seat and can cost around £20 extra for a product from a well-known brand, such as Hamax.
About the author
Rachel Erdos is an Editor at Mumsnet where she commissions, edits and writes content with a focus on family travel and product reviews.
While pregnant with her first child, Rachel freelanced as a Writer and Editor, creating features for Visit Britain, Jacada Travel, Four Seasons and TripSavvy. She has also written and worked for the Guardian, Travelzoo and Jetsetter.
A move to Dennis Publishing introduced Rachel to the world of Ecommerce Content, product reviews and SEO. As Managing Editor, she oversaw a team of Ecommerce Writers, and produced reviews and buying guides on everything from pushchairs to suitcases for publications including Expert Reviews, Den of Geek, Coach and The Week.
Now a mum of two, Rachel enjoys seeking out fun things to do and cool places to travel to with her family. In her spare time, Rachel volunteers at her local Junior Parkrun and loves gigs, pubs, quizzes and afternoon tea, but is most likely to be found at a playground close to home.