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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Aibu to think this was pretty dangerous and a little irresponsible?

83 replies

Slugsandsnails2014 · 25/03/2015 09:06

Fully prepared to be corrected and told I'm BU, however I'm very intrigued to hear opinions

Yesterday I saw a woman cycling and when she stopped to get off the bike I noticed that she had a baby in a sling strapped to her front. It struck me that this seemed like a rather risky activity?! For context I should add that the baby was clearly very very tiny-couple of weeks max judging by the size and was in one of those stretchy wraps, the area she was cycling in is one that even a confident cyclist might get a little nervous about-a very busy roundabout in central London so it's not like she was in a park or pedestrianised area.

I suppose I wondered if she was trying to make a point because I couldn't think of a reason why you would want to cycle with a little baby strapped to you when there are other less dangerous options available. Perhaps she was in a hurry to get somewhere so decided not to walk and couldn't afford the bus etc? I'm not sure. Anyway, aibu to think this is dangerous?! Is this a thing that cyclists with babies do?

OP posts:

drspouse · 25/03/2015 12:08

It's illegal. All passengers on a bike must have their own purpose build seat.

WayfaringStranger · 25/03/2015 12:09

MrsFlannel I'm sure you're right but how many babies/children are on bikes compared to how many children go in the car.

Out0fCheeseError · 25/03/2015 12:13

drspouse - is it really illegal? The Highway Code says "you must not carry a passenger unless your cycle has been built or adapted to carry one". That doesn't mean a seat is compulsory - one could argue that a sling is an adaptation for carrying a baby.

Esko · 25/03/2015 12:21

FWIW I have seen this in the Netherlands and no one batted an eyelid. I would not ride a bike in Lindon because I am too scared but if someone feels confident why not.

I used to walk down the road with my baby in a sling. Surely if I had fallen or been knocked down she would have been injured or is this irresponsible too?

claraschu · 25/03/2015 12:22

Lots of people in Holland have small children on bikes, not just people with cargo bikes, and I have seen all sorts of setups. I know that they have safer biking conditions, but they also have a very different (I think healthier) attitude.

I think in this case, it depends on the bike and the rider. If it was a slow granny-bike with wide wheels and the rider was pedalling along in a sedate manner, I don't see the problem.

People forget that every time they get in a car they are risking a RTA and definitely shortening the life of the planet.

VeronicaCaCa · 25/03/2015 12:28

I don't give a shiney shite what the "norm" is in other countries, I think that woman was irresponsible and utterly stupid.

Totality22 · 25/03/2015 12:30

I'd be a bit judgey about it as well OP. It is just so unnecessary...

Totality22 · 25/03/2015 12:32

Accident potential aside the traffic fumes alone would put me off (me and my kids live in London but fuck would I have my newborn out and about so close to so many traffic fumes)

rockybalboa · 25/03/2015 12:34

I've seen it a few times where we used to live (very big on cycling there). Made me feel very uncomfortable.

TheChandler · 25/03/2015 12:41

drsspouse It's illegal. All passengers on a bike must have their own purpose build seat.

This may be news to the lawyers and judiciary.

Where is this law to be found? When was it passed?

Out0fCheeseError · 25/03/2015 12:45

According to this small study (and other similar ones) cyclists in London are exposed to less air pollution than those in cars.

BoyScout · 25/03/2015 12:53

MrsFlannel so it's ok to put a child in danger if its your only option is it?

Except it isn't because you can walk.

MargotLovedTom · 25/03/2015 12:55

"There are bike carriers available for babies as young as six months old which are great for mums that feel that their baby would be safe at that age. However, it is not at all advised that you cycle with your baby before they are six months old as the risk of crashing, falling or injury from shaking are simply too great to risk."

Out0fCheeseError · 25/03/2015 12:58

From the same article "Those that do choose to cycle with a very young or newborn baby, slings or Baby Bjorn carriers are the most appropriate choice as your baby will have comfort from being cuddled up to you and their head can be more easily supported by a sling than a too-big-for-them bike seat."

MargotLovedTom · 25/03/2015 13:06

For those who appear to somewhat minimising this by saying cars are riskier - in this case the OP was referring to central London traffic. Realistically what sort of speed is a car likely to reach in this situation? A baby, strapped into a correctly fitted car seat, is unlikely to be seriously harmed by a car crash at 15/ 20mph.

The same baby, protected by a piece of cloth (!), banging onto the road after being hit by a car going 15/ 20mph? What do you think?

MargotLovedTom · 25/03/2015 13:08

OutOfCheese - did you miss the bit that said "not at all advised"?

Capricorn76 · 25/03/2015 13:08

I wouldn't do it and I'm a very experienced cyclist. I was once knocked off my bike by a truck and had no control over how I landed. I had several fractures. I dread to think of that happening with a baby strapped to my front, they would've been killed. We only cycle with our child on a kid seat round the block to the nursery or in parks on holiday.

Capricorn76 · 25/03/2015 13:12

Also we didn't ride with DD until she was 3.

You could be the best cyclist in the world and still get hit (although cycling is largely safe) even Bradley Wiggins got knocked off his bike.

Out0fCheeseError · 25/03/2015 13:21

No, my reading comprehension is perfectly good thanks. It's just one person's opinion, not backed up by any data as far as I could see, with a clear acknowledgment that cycling with babies is considered normal and acceptable by many people, and that doing it with a sling/baby-carrier is the best way.

Of course anyone can get knocked off their bike. Anyone can get hit by a car when crossing the road, or be in a car accident as a passenger, or fall down the stairs carrying their baby. My point is that we all take risks, and humans are notoriously appalling at risk perception - just look at all the people saying they are scared to fly after yesterday's plane crash, despite the fact that air travel is far safer than road travel. Given all of these factors, I think it is wrong to judge this woman, or any other parent who chooses to cycle with their children.

LaurieMarlow · 25/03/2015 13:34

Hmm, I think it's completely unacceptable, simply because it's not possible to give a baby that small the kind of protection any sensible person would insist on for an older child (I.e. a helmet).

In a more general sense, comparing cycling in the Netherlands with cycling in central London is pretty pointless. The Netherlands have made a big effort to create as safe as possible an environment for cyclists. London not so much

MargotLovedTom · 25/03/2015 13:41

Okay, we'll have to agree to differ. The article wasn't backed up with any data, no, but the paragraph I quoted seemed to reflect common sense. No amount of data or statistics would convince me to take an unprotected newborn baby out on a bike in the middle of London traffic, where you're relying on hundreds of drivers not to be the one bad driver who could knock you flying.

MargotLovedTom · 25/03/2015 13:42

My last post was to OutOfCheese.

fourteen · 25/03/2015 13:45

What an idiot!

Why would you take such an unnecessary and pointless risk. Presumably you wouldn't put a baby in the car if you didn't have a safe car seat, so why would you cycle with a baby unless you had the correct safety gear? You're so vulnerable on a bike I think she must be barking mad.

There was a thread a while ago about skiing with a baby in a sling, and everyone said "god no!". I don't see why this is any different.

Golferman · 25/03/2015 14:39

\link{http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/incoming/video-mum-pole-dancing-baby-5393873\

Golferman · 25/03/2015 14:40

Gah,, can't do links. Story from Daily Record about woman pole dancing with baby on back

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