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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Bike trailers AIBU/PFB?

41 replies

Discopanda · 26/07/2015 23:23

I think they're very, very unsafe and don't want DD1 taken out for a ride in one by a family member (one of those fabric ones that attaches to the back of a bike) because a- they're below the eye line of motorists b-pavements around here are too narrow for it to be used on and there are no cycle paths c- it's from the market and been left out in the rain for months so questionable quality anyway d- people where I live drive like absolute wankers! e- they seem to be extremely difficult to maneuver (I actually saw family member struggling to turn their bike with it attached). WIBU to say my 3 year old can't be taken out in it because I'm not comfortable or am I being PFB?

OP posts:

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 27/07/2015 17:37

Apparently it's ok though because she cycles really carefully and can't be expected not to cycle until her baby is one

She should have bought a decent trailer that has newborn inserts available...

CitrineRaindropPhoenix · 27/07/2015 17:45

They are very safe as we found out to our cost. dH was cycling on a cycle path with DD in the trailer wearing a helmet. A drunk driver crashed off the road, over 2 metres of verge and hit DH where the bike and trailer join.

dd was knocked upside down into the middle of a busy road in the trailer. DH had a shattered leg and couldn't get to her. Cars stopped and got dd to safety called ambulance etc. DH has lost all use of his leg, Dd had a very small scratch on her hand which was treated by s plaster.

My view is that they're much safer than bikes or bike seats.

IKnowIAmButWhatAreYou · 27/07/2015 17:52

If a child is already strapped in, wouldn't the additional weight of a helmet have the potential to cause neck damage as the body would be held still & the head would move in a spill, hit etc?

TeaPleaseLouise · 27/07/2015 18:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Leggytadpole · 27/07/2015 20:04

Jeez citrine that's a scary story. Sorry about your DH's leg.

I've got a trailer but daren't use it on roads near me (too many idiot boy racers). I tend to stick to pavements to get to the local park or take it in the car to use on nicer bike rides with proper bike trails.

OP I don't think you are being PFB or U to not allow this. And the fact that your relative doesn't 'believe' in helmets is a joke, I've worked in a brain injuries unit, a head injury can literally be life destroying.

Leggytadpole · 27/07/2015 20:06

That said, I've always been unsure about helmets in trailers. iknowiam makes a good point....

YeOldeTrout · 27/07/2015 20:13

Could you elaborate who the relative is and why they would be taking your child anywhere, OP? Do they regularly babysit your child?

hibbleddible · 27/07/2015 21:02

Yanbu

They should only be used off road in my opinion.

GuybrushThreepwoodMP · 27/07/2015 21:44

You are perfectly entitled to make that choice for your child
However generalisations that they are unsafe are untrue. I have called my dd in a trailer since she was 8 months old. We travel on roads although 99% of the time are on cycle lanes rather with the rest of the traffic.
It has a full steel roll cage, is covered in high vis and lit up like a Christmas tree. It has a high flag so it can be seen above cars. It has a 5 point harness.
It is much much safer than having a child in a seat on a bike where they are not protected at all in the event of an accident.
But as I say, if you don't want your child in one that's totally fine. It's your call and no one should put any pressure on you.

Purplepoodle · 27/07/2015 21:50

This exactly why I won't buy one for commuting since have dc's. I'm terrified of trailer getting swiped by a car

Ragusa · 27/07/2015 22:04

I just cannot see how these are safe at all unless there is no traffic, or the traffic is completely segregated from bikes. A steel roll cage is going to be eff all use if a lorry misjudges a corner, or a drunk or drug-impaired driver loses control.

I say this as a cyclist who regularly cycles in central London. I would ever transport a young child on a bike on a road, be it in a cycle seat or trailer.

YADNBU, and I am not risk-averse at all, but I do deplore seeing small children on busy roads in these sorts of things.

kathryng90 · 27/07/2015 22:07

We have one and my ds (5yrs) loves going in it. But all wearing high vis jackets and helmets and with large flag and cycle paths. My dp pulls it with her bike I've not ridden a bike since I was 10, and says it pulls easily. Your child you make the rules so not under those circumstances.

RagstheInvincible · 27/07/2015 22:07

No DC of mine would ride in one of these for all the gold in Fort Knox. YANBU.

CornishYarg · 27/07/2015 22:44

YANBU. I was driving behind one on a busy road a couple of years ago when the trailer suddenly uncoupled itself from the bike. I was keeping a good distance behind so was able to stop safely but I kept thinking what if the vehicle behind was following too closely and couldn't stop in time? And if that vehicle was a bus or lorry... I know people are saying they're very safe but that incident put me off them for good.

LilyMayViolet · 27/07/2015 22:52

Yanbu. They look lethal. Ok if you have cycle paths but on the road? I can't believe they're legal but there you go.

museumum · 28/07/2015 19:50

A good quality one put on properly could not uncouple. Ours has three - three - different attachments between bike and trailer. The chances of one failing are low but the chance of the tow bar, pin, and strap all breaking at once are negligible. But then ours was an expensive, EU safety tested one from Belgium.

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