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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to use a front fitting child bike seat?

60 replies

Digggers · 26/11/2010 20:20

Had a horrible experience today that has left me feeling quite sad, angry and worried.

i've bought one of these content.onestepahead.com/assets/images/product/detail/04600_1.jpg for taking my wee boy on bike rides on the cycle paths, parks, proms and canal paths around my city. i'm not planning on going on the roads. I'm going to try it out in the park tomorrow to see if he and i like it and if it works for us before deciding to send it back or not

I know rear fitting seats are more common, but I can't find a rear fitting seat to fit my bike, and all the research and reading I have done on child bike seats doesn't rate a rear fitting seat as any safer than a front fitting one. Both have their pros and cons and both are inherently as dangerous as riding a bike itself is if you are inclined to think that way about risk.

I fitted the seat myself and then took my bike and the seat into my local bike shop today to check that it was on tight enough, and was treated like the worst mother ever!

One of the staff refused to serve me , saying that I was using my baby as an airbag and as a parting shot saying "atleast tell me that youve got a helmet for him"
Another member of staff refused to even talk to me, just standing staring in mock horror at me and my bike.
The guy who did serve me said he had to tell me he didn't endorse what I was doing, but had decided to be professional and let me make my own mind up.

I feel horrible now. But everything I've read says that rear fitting seats, forward fitting seats and bike trailors are all as safe/dangerous as each other depending on your view point.

OP posts:
cleggy36 · 26/11/2010 23:15

Front facing ones are much better imo. DS1 was a nightmare in a rear seat one. As someone else said, he kept leaning right over to try to see past me & was generally unenthusiastic - who wouldn't be if you went on a bike ride and spent the entire time staring at your dad's back. Much better to have them between your arms.

mumeeee · 26/11/2010 23:18

Yanbu. But when my friend used one her son grabbed the handle bars and nearly tipped them over. So she stopped using it.

awakenings · 26/11/2010 23:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ChippingIn · 26/11/2010 23:55

I think there are advantages and disadvantages to both - but it sounds like you have done some research and made your own mind up about what is safe for your son.

The shop acted disgracefully - even if it was their opinion they could have spoken to you far more politely and listened to your reasons if you offered them.

I would write to the manager and telling them you expected a reply to your letter.

ChippingIn · 26/11/2010 23:57

FWIW I would have two worries about a front seat - the first would be the worry of squashing them if you fell - however, if the seat is very strong this shouldn't be much of a risk and secondly of them changing the gears and causing you to fall... but I haven't looked into them and you have :)

octopusinabox · 27/11/2010 00:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

tulpe · 27/11/2010 00:24

So by the attitude of assistant in bike shop, all Dutch parents are irresponsible too Hmm. DCs are now too big for bike seats but this is the way I cycled with them too. I also had the little windshield for them - also v common in the Netherlands.

Unwind · 27/11/2010 00:37

I've just done the research and also decided to buy a front seat - because I am certain that in reality, while cycling I'll be turning around to check on my DD and trying to talk to her, which would be dangerous.

It is not a safety factor, but I am also sure that my DD would be happier between my arms, without my backside obscuring her view.

Rowgtfc72 · 27/11/2010 08:08

I bought a Wee Ride and used it till my dd hit the weight limit.They are better for centre of gravity being in the middle of the bike and you can see what your kid is up to like waving arms about, chucking stuff.We used it for comuting but have also done trekking and off roading including going up amd down steep hills!Weve had the odd wobble but dd wears a helmet and trust me id fling my arms round her if we were seriously falling-cant do that with a rear seat! Cant rave about Wee Ride enough.If she had managed not to get to the size of a five year old at the age of three we would still have it!And you can have a lovely chat to your little one while you pedal !
Yanbu

shinybaubles · 27/11/2010 08:19

I live in Belgium and have also lived in the Netherlands, and these are on almost on every bike here, most of the kids at my ds school arrive on bikes sometimes one on the front and one on the back as well, or several ina carriage thing that attaches to the front of the bike. In fact mil has two fitted to her bike and merrily takes my 2 ds on them.

Original poster
Digggers · 27/11/2010 08:57

Wow thanks everyone, you've cheeredme up properly about it! Off to the parknow to give it a whirl before the snow comes x

OP posts:
lucykate · 27/11/2010 09:08

the comment from the shop assistant about you using your baby as an airbag amuses me, exactly how fast does she think anyone riding a bike with a child on board is going to ride?!

TandB · 27/11/2010 09:08

I have a front seat and have used it since 10 months (the minimum age is 8 months). I looked into it at length and talked to people in our local shop. My partner is a serious competitive cyclist, as our many other people in our social circle. I was absolutely satisfied that the front seat was safer.

I am gobsmacked at the response you got and if it was a chain you should be making a complaint.

JumpJockey · 27/11/2010 09:18

DD has been in a bobike front seat in a special dutch bike mother bike for the last year and I'm absolutely gutted that she's outgrown it now at nearly two - she'ss too tall to fit her legs under the handlebars so will have to go to a back seat. It's great having her at the front, the one time the bike did fall over (on a snowy day last winter) she was protected by the handlebars round her whereas on the back she'd have hit the ground.

She loves being able to talk to me, point at things, sing songs together, wave at everyone, have a good view. I'll definitely be putting the next one in the front seat as soon as possible.

Original poster
Digggers · 27/11/2010 09:21

It wasn't a chain, it was an indepedant shop that is generally very well respected.

So glad to get so many supportive responses.

The airbag comment really upset me too. And also the insinuation that I was so feckless that I wouldn't Be putting a helmet on him.

OP posts:
ragged · 27/11/2010 09:34

The centre of gravity is much better with front fitting, there was a whole CTC article (years ago now) comparing front vs. rear fitting seats and the front-fitting came out better for safety.

I honestly suggest you join the CTC and start searching their archives for this, or even email Chris Juden (their tech guy) or Dan Joyce (ed) for related articles.

This is outrageous treatment by the local shop, I'd write and complain!

ragged · 27/11/2010 09:35

Yes, do name and shaME Angry

SoupDragon · 27/11/2010 09:40

It is surely more dangerous to have a child on the back that you cant see, who may have unstrapped themselves or be involved in any other of a hundred dangerous activities.
Putting the weight on the back makes the bike more difficult to handle... I've not done it with a child but even in my youth it was noticeable with a bike rack on the back.

They were right about the helmet though :)

ragged · 27/11/2010 09:47

That's another debate, Soupdragon.

Ime, it's so difficult to get a truly snug fit on a small child's helmet that I'm far from convinced that it's much use. Remember, the helmet must not move position on the child's head if you try to tilt it around. The child should not be able to eat comfortably whilst wearing it (if they can, the jaw strap is too loose). I have trouble getting my own helmet to fit that securely.

Original poster
Digggers · 27/11/2010 11:49

Test drive in the park complete! The wee one loves it and I felt it felt fine as I cycled! Hurrah. The only thing I'm not sure about is that it doesn't have a five point harness. The wee ride does, so I think I'm going to order that too and try out that too and see which one feels safest.

Yes was wondering about helmet, as I don't seem to be able to get it that tight! Is he allowed to wear a wooly hat under it too, or us it the same school of thought as not supposed to wear a jacket in a car child seat?

OP posts:
Original poster
Digggers · 27/11/2010 11:50

Oh and i'll have a think about naming and shaming. The problem is that it could easily indentify me and I quite like being anon on mumsnet.

Thank you all!

OP posts:
BoffinMum · 27/11/2010 11:53

Diggers, mwah to you too!

I never let mine wear hats under helmets based on nothing but my instinct that they might slip round with a hat underneath, defeating the object of wearing them.

LadyBiscuit · 27/11/2010 12:10

Every Dutch parent I know uses a front fitting bike seat for young children. I think you should write and complain to the company HQ with all your research attached - it's unacceptable for them to tell you you're using your baby as an airbag. They are simply wrong

Scaredycat3000 · 27/11/2010 12:14

As an ex-moped driver sob I am sadly familiar with your experience. Chain or not complain to the owner, it's his livelihood that will suffer.
As for the helmet, I was told not to wear anything under my crash helmet as it could easily slip, as Boffin says.

walkertexasranger · 27/11/2010 12:21

I wouldn't put a toddler on my bike in any kind of seat so I would say yabu for doing it at all.