When can I start taking my baby cycling with me?

[Leftielefterson]

I’m a keen cyclist and wondered at what age can a baby/toddler be strapped onto the back of a bike? Also, does anyone have any recommendations for a fairly light weight yet sturdy bike to transport my baby?

I have a carbon road bike at the moment with seriously skinny tyres which just wouldn’t be suitable I don’t think as I wouldn’t feel safe. Budget would be around £1,500

I took my DS out from 5 months old... this was in a trailer though.

I picked a trailer over a seat as I thought it’d be better for long rides as it’d be more comfortable, protect him from the weather better and mean he could play with toys and have drinks and snacks to hand. I thought it’d also be better for transporting a picnic and balance bike.

My DS is now 2.5 and he’s been going out for at least one trailer ride a week since he was 5 months old. An average ride is about 30 miles over 3 hours (it’s hilly here hence the slow average speed).

I’ve even towed him up Mt Ventoux (which was actually much easier than the climbs I’m used to in Derbyshire).

Yeah so as you can guess I’m a very keen cyclist! Luckily my DS absolutely adores his trailer rides. We take a picnic and his balance bike and make a day of it.

I have a Burley Solo. It was the only bit of baby/ child equipment I took any interest in and it’s been worth every penny. I spent ages researching. It’s light weight. It packs fairly small. It packs/ assembles quickly. It handles incredibly well - I’ve actually done quite a few mountains with it and it’s been really stable descending/ cornering.

So I got the ‘baby snuggler’ which Burley sell separately which I used until about 14 months. It cradled my DS in the seat.

I tow with my winter road bike. Because it’s hilly I have a crazy cassette (11-32 - I had a road link fitted so the rear mech could cope) which means I can happily tow up 15/20% gradients. I wouldn’t have any issues towing with my best bike (full carbon all out race bike), I just chose not to.

I ride a mix of trails and quiet roads.

Having the trailer has saved my sanity and done wonders for my fitness (my FTP is better now than it ever was when I raced!!). It’s also a really lovely way to spend the day with my DS, we chat away whilst I’m towing, then have a lovely picnic somewhere pretty.

I hope this helps!

I should add that I suspect it’s easier to keep a little one warm in a trailer... which is probably important if you plan to ride through the winter. I have my son in thermals, tracksuit, snowsuit, cozytoes and then snuggled with a blanket round him. He’s remained toasty for several hours in -5.

Oh and the hitch/towbar is super easy and quick. It attaches to the quick release, so I leave it there. The towbar connects into it really easily.

Thank you so much for that @noodl that’s really helpful
and informative. I was debating whether to get a trailer or a bike seat to fit on the back, I’m worried about the trailer being too heavy for me and thought the lightweight option might be better but then picnics a la trailer sounds very tempting.

Also, wtaf - Mt Ventoux, bloody well done. It’s one of my bucket list goals but without the baby, you must be incredibly fit to have done that. My longest ride was London to Brighton so let’s just say I’m a novice.

I’m definitely going to take a look at the Burley.

I’ve got a fully carbon road bike which is really lovely and lightweight but I’m not sure I’d feel safe transporting her on that, it just doesn’t have the sturdy factor. I was thinking a cyclocross for the thicker tyres might be better for me.

Sorry for another question but I’m keen to transport my baby around central London, I’m used to cycling around there but wondered if I’d be crazy doing this? To me it’s actually safer than cycling back home in Wales as drivers are so used to cyclists on the road.

Thanks for taking the time to reply to me.

If you're willing to get a cargo bike, your baby can go in at any age (my niece went for her first ride at 3 days old!). If you're considering another child, it's definitely worth a thought.

When we looked into it, rear seats mounted on a normal bike were from 6mo at least, preferably 9mo. We've used this option, and had a waterproof cape over DD in poor weather - cold as well as wet - to keep her warm and dry. However we were typically only cycling up to 3 miles in poor weather at a time.

We weren't happy to use a trailer where we live - we didn't think it was visible enough in busy urban traffic/on big roundabouts. It really depends on where you plan to cycle. Having said that, DD is now on her own bike, so we have to plan safe routes anyway (mini roundabouts only).

I haven't cycled in London for a long time, but do cycle somewhere with a lot of cyclists. It's normal here to see cargo bikes everywhere, and as far as I'm aware, it's pretty safe - I was passed with a lot more care when using ours.

We used the Hamax Siesta reclinable seat. DD was about 13 months but it was sold as suitable for babies that can hold their heads up, I think that have changed too much older now. I refused to use a trailer as the roads round here are too busy and the trailer can't be seen over car bonnets. The seat is within my frame so within my usual bike footprint. She was nice and warm as I dressed her in a snow suit and wrapped an extra blanket if necessary over the seatbelt. We stopped using it when she could no longer fit her rucksack on her knees under mine and she was getting too heavy for me to walk the bike with her on it.

My burley came with a long flag... i don’t use it. I have a knogg blinder which I fit to the back on flash for visibility.

The bike is actually more stable with a trailer, hence 25’s not being an issue. I’ve no experience with a seat to compare, I’m sure once you got used to the load it’d be fine but I can understand wanting a CX bike for it... that gives you options for off road too which is always good!

I’m sure you can find traffic free or quieter routes around London... and yes traffic is moving more slowly and drivers more used to seeing cyclists. I think a lot of it is about confidence, type of riding you are used to and perceived risk. I’m not used to busy traffic riding so that would seem ‘risky’ to me. Whereas someone else might perceive the type of roads/ traffic I’m used to as being risky if that makes sense!!

Seats certainly seem easier for short journeys, especially if you use a dedicated bike it remains attached to.... I’d definitely get one if I started doing lots of short transporty journeys as it’d be more practical. I think a trailer is better suited to longer rides (as in an hour plus).

Keep us posted!

Thank you all so much for your helpful thoughts and tips. A fair bit to think about as I’d be taking my DD on quite long bike rides so I need to make sure she’s kept warm which could be a benefit of a trailer.

I’m braving taking her on a cycling holiday during the summer, we are hiring bikes when we get there and for that I think I’ll need a trailer for sun protection. Back home in London its not such an issue.

I’m so excited to buy all of this gear and get out and take her for a spin. I can’t wait until she’s older so we can cycle on our bikes together, she will be the next Laura Trott haha!

Will update when I’ve made my purchases. Have been wasting time eyeing up clothing on Rapha. I want to get my daughter some cute cycling gear (purely for a photo op).