To think this is so unsafe…

[MyBadHabitsLeadToYou]

Parents with toddlers on the back of the bike, cycling on busy city roads with the buses and the crazy drivers.

Howwww is this legal?! When the rules on car seats are so strict.

And don’t even start me on those flimsy trailer things that are so low down they couldn’t be seen from a large car.

Am I missing something??

Also, this is what happens when you try and make cycling easier and safer... Title should read: "Cars are angry that they have to slow down when bikes will be able to have space to themselves!" So all of you drivers who think we should make the roads safer, please contact your LA and ask them to continue promoting Active Travel routes instead of calling the Daily Fail to whine that you have to slow down.

www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9905109/amp/Britains-BIGGEST-bike-lane-Shambolic-11ft-2in-wide-cycle-path.html

Trailers are fine asking as you’re on a cycle lane. They are much better than the seats, as they aren’t that likely to flip if the bike falls. The child is secured with a 3 point harness and the trailer has a metal frame. They’ll be toast if a car smacks into them, which is why they are best off the road, or at least only on residential roads with good visibility. You’d have to be mad to take your kid cycling on roads in most cities in the U.K.. they are not suited for this at all.

We had one of these when the children were smaller, never took them on busy roads though.

but I don't see in theory why it should be a problem. Not everyone can afford a car for starters. Government in most cases has failed to put in proper cycle lanes. Public transport (round here anyway) is rubbish.
Proper separate cycle lanes should be totally the norm, but they aren't. I am fairly sure the parents involved aren't delighted about it either but what should they do?

Personally I think it would be absolutely brilliant if our cycle lanes were full of them. Which would lead to far less cars on the roads and safer roads for all. YABU to think that on the actual roads it should be illegal though. Drivers ought to see the cyclists and pass them safely and considerately. Of course that is rarely the case and sadly, it is dangerous. Fairly sure nobody would bat an eyelid in Holland, where no cyclists even wear helmets.

I had one off these seats for my dc never would I ride on the road with her in it. It was a great thing tho we would go along the canal and to the beach and other safe routes for little bike rides. Yes I rode on the pavements but I simply don't trust many car drivers.

I love cycling with DD in a bike seat and do does she. We live in a rural area and I wouldn't use a bike trailer due to width on narrow roads and less manoeuvrability.

Crazy that so many people think the solution to any cycling risk is that more people should drive when surely the actual solution is for more people to cycle!

It's an absolute disgrace that car drivers are allowed to belt along in tonnes of metal when other road users like kids on bikes are so vulnerable to their careless and lack of attention, not to mention the pollution.

The fewer cars on the road the better. They are a menace and they think they own the roads!

I have DD on the back in a seat, she loves it. MN puzzles me in that 1) everyone is a car driver 2) everyone lives somewhere with fantastic public transport. When neither apply, you think of alternatives and risk assessment accordingly.

@peaceanddove

Show me the figures for collisions with bikes and cars where the child was injured. I'll bet more children were injured or killed in a car

Oh dear, you clearly don't understand how statistics work. Obviously far more children die in cars because far more children travel in cars.

You need to look at how many children die when involved in a collision between their little trailer thing and a car.

Hahaha this is very amusing. I'm afraid that's exactly statistics DO do! You seem to be confusing "numbers" with "statistics". According to statistics for accidents per 100,000 people travelling by bike versus 100,000 people travelling by car, you are much more likely to be injured or killed in a car than bike.

I remember about 35 years ago in our village, a mum and dad both on cycles pulling a trailer each with a child in. A newly qualified driver came around the bend on a narrow country road ploughed into them and killed them all apart from the mother. She was left with life changing injuries. I've never seen anyone use one around here since then.

I really wanted a bike with trailer for my 2 children. But I could never ride a bike on the road. I have no road sense. Walking wise crossing the roads yes. But as an actual road user no.

@Soveryhungry

But what are you supposed to do if you don't own a car or don't drive?

Sometimes people with a car forget that actually it's risky in itself. I appreciate carseats help reduce that risk, but it's still risky.

Until recently we didn't have a car. We used to take the bus everywhere, often on busy roads / long rural routes as we just had to. There is no requirement for car seats on buses as it would be completely impractical. But applying your logic about bikes to buses would mean that children should never go on a bus either.

I'm a bit stumped as to how anyone without a car could possibly get around with their children beyond a few miles of their house if they weren't allowed to take children on bikes / buses.

Yeah a bit rich for car owners to complain about this when they are the reason (well, they in aggregate) our roads are so unsafe, as all infrastructure has been so geared towards cars. Can’t walk everywhere with the kids just makes life a little easier

@CourgetteGlutTony

Perfectly safe if you can ride a bicycle properly. All of my DC were carried on the back of my bike from about 6 months old. Presumably you don’t do this, so why are you concerned?

Because in some places (obviously not where you lived) it's literally frightening to see. Where I lived the idea of trailers and bike seats could easily fill you with horror and they look like needless risky death traps. I know 2 grown men who ended up in the emergency room from being hit by a car (both times safe cycling and blatantly the drivers fault), God only knows what would have happened to a toddler on a bike seat or trailer if they'd have been caught up in those accidents. Why on earth take the risk?

@pictish

I love it how the sad drivers blame the cyclists. Cyclists’ privilege is it? Don’t think so.

The irony is baffling!

@user0985238

It's an absolute disgrace that car drivers are allowed to belt along in tonnes of metal when other road users like kids on bikes are so vulnerable to their careless and lack of attention, not to mention the pollution.

The fewer cars on the road the better. They are a menace and they think they own the roads!

Unfortunately, on disabled so it would be impossible for me to cycle anywhere. In fact, if it wasn't for my car I would never be able to leave the house.

Wee weeeeerrr

Why is it ok to blame cyclists for he damage that cars do? And yet apparently victim blaming is not ok?

Cars are the dangerous things on the road. They cause the most damage to other road users. They are also hideously polluting.

@MrsSkylerWhite

Those trailers ought to be illegal. Forget the obvious collisions dangers, they’re at exhaust height. Has society learned nothing about the long-term effects of pollution.

Akin to skiers who fly down the slopes with kids in backpacks.
They’re such expert cyclists/skiers that no accident could ever possibly befall them. Unbelievable arrogance.

they're At exhaust height. So are buggies, pushchairs and small kids walking. Shall we ban them too?

Why is it any less safe than older kids riding their own bikes?

Akin to skiers who fly down the slopes with kids in backpacks

Slight derail, but I am wondering where on earth you’ve seen this?

Used to live in Canada, did a lot of cross country skiing with kids, and we all used pelks (trailers on skis we dragged behind us, the child is in a harness and bundled up in snowsuits and blankets). The babies generally fell asleep almost instantly (like being in a car seat), and you could get some decent skiing in. Bloody heavy up a hill though.

Big secondhand market, you could also use them as snow strollers. Never ever saw anyone skiing with a baby in a backpack or sling, and we were very “sling-y” parents (we took DS snowshoeing and winter hiking in the sling, snuggled up inside my coat).

@RavingAnnie

Why is it ok to blame cyclists for he damage that cars do? And yet apparently victim blaming is not ok?

Cars are the dangerous things on the road. They cause the most damage to other road users. They are also hideously polluting.

This is exactly correct and perfectly true.

So what sort of parent would put their tiny child in a box on the end of a bike and go out amongst all those dangerous cars and all that pollution??

I agree OP. Particularly the little trailers . Terrifying.

A mum with her child in one of the seats fell off her bike right in front of the car I was passenger in a couple of years ago. Busy main road outside a primary school at going-home time. Thank god the driver was able to stop in time 🤦‍♀️ I’m not really pro-car (I don’t drive!) and my parents actually used one of these for me when I was a child, but I’ve felt really nervous seeing them used on busy roads ever since then.

@MyBadHabitsLeadToYou

But…what if a car travelling at 30mph hits your bike with your exposed little toddler on the back of it??

Why do I need to explain this 🤯

What if a car hits us while we're walking? Is that also 'unsafe'?

Everyone agrees that the problem is the cars. Obviously.

But why would you put your children at risk to prove a point? No it’s not the same as walking with a buggy - they are intermittently near the exhaust, not constant.

It’s extremely bizarre to hoist your own children on a petard that is inherently so dangerous. I KNOW it’s the cars that are dangerous, not the bicycles, but being RIGHT doesn’t magically protect your children.

And a bloody big flag is worth fuck all when someone comes around the corner at even 20mph stoned or high and sees you too late.

@Haffiana perhaps they are he sort who don't buy into the ridiculous idea that they must "protect" their child by buying an enormous, polluting vehicle to transport them around, regardless of the health consequences to them, and those around them, of that decision?