to send my child to nursery on the back of a bike

[Christelle2207]

We are a one car family, dd who is 1 goes two days a week to nursery. Usually she comes with me in the car as it is kind of on the way to work. However occasionally I have to work away or longer hours so we're looking into a bike seat so that dh (who normally wfh),can take her/pickup on those days, perhaps two or three days a month. Nursery is 1.5 miles away -there is a very busy road bit, avoidable if we take a slightly longer route. We live in a big city which is not cyclist friendly-very rarely seen a baby on a bike seat round here hence my concern. My dh is a very competent cyclist but obviously I'm worried about someone else causing an accident though acknowledge that with the right kind of seat dd would prob be safer than dh. We've agreed that in poor weather conditions they would take a taxi or possibly pram which would be the only other reasonable option other than the fact that it would be very difficult for dh to fit two round trip pram trips into his working day-we think the bike option would take half as long. DH is keener on the whole idea than I am, it doesn't sit very well with me but I'm not sure what the alternative is other than buying a new car which neither of us want to do though is inevitable in the long run. Many people seem to think we're bonkers, or at least very odd, to consider putting dd in a bike seat! Aibu?

DH used to cycle with dd from under 1 until 4.5 yrs to crèche. 12 miles from suburb to city centre. She used to love it mostly, especially as winter cold meant he'd bring her for hot milk and a scone on arrival to town before drop off, well wrapped up but somedays frost eWorld get through. Would.

Yanbu. Buy good gear for rain and cold, and let them enjoy it!

Yes yes to helmets for both DH and dd though

I wouldn't tbh. Can you change nurseries?

A helmet won't be much good if she comes off and hurts elsewhere. Sorry to go against the grain but I live in a part of London where drivers are seen as god (even by the local council) and are very aggressive. I hate driving sometimes!

I am too unfit to do that route alone, let alone with pax, but would bring her home by bus (preferably) or car most days. She misses cycles with dad, but they now head off together on own bikes as she's 8.5. But her head bobbing in happiness as they'd leave was lovely to see, or if I came behind them and would see 2 arms making the signals, oh bless! DH used to tell me all the stories he'd hear as they rode, that she wouldn't say other times, and things they'd see along the way.

Go for it!

I appreciate the balanced responses. Yes we will get the best seat and helmet and probably take dd along longer but quieter roads. I do trust my dh completely on this and wouldn't personally ride with her on my bike. He had accidents years ago(not his fault) and as a result is a very good road cyclist. I wouldn't want him to do it everyday and in all weathers but as an occasional option its probably a goer.

In south London, I used to take my daughter to nursery then reception in a bike seat. I avoided main roads where I could but where they could not be avoided, I took up my bike space- ie did not cling to the kerb to give me a chance to avoid potholes.

Many drivers are idiots around bike, but assume that and all will be well. And helmets are essential.

Don't forget that any time it feels unsafe, your DH can just get off the bike and push it on the pavement instead, e.g. if it suddenly gets very windy or if traffic is unusually bad.

How old is she? 1.5 miles isn't a very ling walk and pavements are much safer than roads.

OP I think back of the bike is fine but those little trailers that look like tents which the bike pulls... They are death traps!

Drivers don't expect to see them, aren't looking on the ground/that low and think the bike has passed. Little
protection for the child. Just silly.

My DH witnessed a horrible accident where a car hit a bike with a toddler in the trailer behind - bike went down, trailer went under the car and DH witnessed horrific scene of frantic father jumping up from ground, himself hurt but trying to lift up car like Superman to save toddler caught underneath.

Sorry sorry to tell you something so awful but I doing so to caution you against those stupid trailers!

I wouldn't have to confidence to do it.

I did it but I had my child in a trailer on the back of the bike. With a trailer as they get bigger and move more they don't alter your balance on your bike if they move. The trailer is also very visible so people give it a bit of room. There is also a kind of role cage. Mine still wore a helmet. But they had lots of room. I could even fit 2 kids in when she had a friend I was taking down to a class. With a trailer the bike can also fall over without the child bit falling over.