Aibu to ask for ideas about transporting 4 years olds

[Bburago]

Take my twin 4 year olds to nursery every day as I work full time. It’s a 3 mile round trip. They are great little walkers but very slow. I currently use a tricycle with a handle on the back for me to push them which they love and is fine but it’s a little rickety and old, I cannot see one online that is bigger or more of a robust design.

Ican’t drive as there’s no parking at nursery (and it’s insane traffic every day: near to motorway) : nearest car park is pay and display which would soon add up. They’re too big for the buggy now. They can’t use balance bikes/scooters as there’s too many busy roads to cross (and then I’d have to walk home with 2 balance bikes and helmets?)

I’ve googled endlessly and really don’t think there’s another solution but thought I’d ask the wise people of mumsnet anyway. Any ideas for transporting 2 x 4 year olds?

Can’t you leave the bikes at nursery in the buggy park?

Your options are basically double buggy or bike/scooter. Most four year olds can learn to wait at roads - the need to be trained, but the kids in DS’s nursery all managed it.

Could you afford a cargo bike? A quick search shows lots.

I had a bike trailer at that age. But it was a safe cycling route.

Are you pushing the tricycle home and then walking to work at the moment or leaving it / taking it with you?

You can get like a little truck you pull along but honestly, at 4 and with a 1.5 mile I think you just have to walk. If they don't hold your hands then put wrist straps on them and hold their hand. If they slip away, you can still stop them.

Give yourself extra time to get there, they will get faster.

A pull along wagon?

When 4yo DD used to walk to school, I had 2yo Ds on a scooter which I could pull.

I mean you COULD ask nursery to store the bikes there until pick up but from what you've described I don't think I'd want responsibility of one 4 year old on a balance bike around really busy roads let alone two!

Do you cycle? Could you get one of those kid carriers to go on the back of your bike (and then leave that at nursery) just until they're more confident on scooters around the roads

It’s not a safe cycling route for a cargo bike/trailer. I think the best option will be balance bikes and teaching them to wait at roads. Quite nerve wracking taking two out but I’m sure I’ll get used to it.

At the moment I walk there pushing the tandem trike and then walk it home (wfh but set hours) there’s no buggy park/lockable area to leave balance bikes etc

Get the pull along strap for scooters. Train them to wait at roads or corners. Then you can use the strap to pull them home if they're tired, and hook the strap over the end of the scooter to use it as a handle if you need to carry it home.

An old second-hand double Mountain Buggy Duo or Terrain would fit 4 year olds (NOT the newer Duet, which has smaller seats).

Or a Step2 wagon (less safe for long journeys, especially if you have busy roads to cross):

www.step2uk.com/products/wagon-for-two-plus

My son's 4 and he's been riding a bike to nursery since he was about 3 (first a balance bike, then a pedal bike). I taught him to stop at every road and was very strict about it (made him get off the bike if he didn't listen) and he's very good about it now. I suggest you let them take bikes or scooters and lock them up at nursery.

Alternatively, as PP said, if you can afford a cargo bike, that's the quickest way. A Tern GSD would be awesome but they are expensive! Maybe a Radwagon or something. Would you be confident cycling on the roads?

www.amazon.co.uk/Micro-Scooters-Carry-Girls-Accessory/dp/B079RNMLDB/ref=asc_df_B079RNMLDB/?hvlocphy=9045530&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=339416778147&hvpone&hvlocint&hvpos&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=pla-890029730832&hvrand=13623853262570519763

Oh cross post sorry.

At 4 they really should be able to listen to you and learn to stop at roads etc.

Balance bike would be how I would do this. Wear your running shoes and jog along as they ride. There must be somewhere you can leave a small balance bike at a nursery? It doesnt have to be a lockable shed, maybe you can chuck them in a cupboard or just lock the two bikes together.

If you would prefer a buggy, the cityjogger mini is also massive. DS is in reception and we got it out again last week just for fun before we sell it - he can still easily fit in it.

Get a bus a bit closer?

I don't think I'd want responsibility of one 4 year old on a balance bike around really busy roads let alone two!

Unless the four year old is really naughty, they learn very quickly to stop at roads when they are told to. We had a brief spell of DS riding too far ahead, which we nipped in the bud by taking him off his bike and making him walk home when he did that, but roads have always been totally fine.

I used a bike with a double trailer that can convert to a pram. It is great exercise whichever way you transport them!

Can't they cycle on the pavement? But yes I would get a cargo bike, money allowing

I don't get how balance bikes use up less energy / are overall quicker than just walking

If it were me, I'd bring a buggy (folding?, left there) & they 'd take turns riding in it or walking.

Balance bike option sounds very dodgy imho. They go too fast & OP said road is busy.

Micro scooters have a strap to pull them along or you can hook it around the back wheel to carry it over your shoulder

Adult scooter with strap
Put them both on it - or they take turns - and then you scoot home.

www.xtracycle.com/bikes/ Long tail bike with bench seat at the back - electric versions are available.

An option that hasn’t been suggested is a carrier for one child and a scooter or bike for the other, the advantage there is you could swap methods at either ends of the day and only have to cart one bike/scooter on the return leg. Although I’d be investing in a bike lock and searching for a sneaky place to lock it up near nursery as carrying it home is not my idea of fun.

Cargo bike!