Cycling with front and rear bike seats

[rolymoly]

Has anyone done this? I'm really keen to be able to take my two children, 3.3 and 8 mos, to nursery by bike. We have already got a back-fitted bike seat for dd1. We've also got a trailer (got it cheap from a friend who no longer used it) which they can both go in, but it's a hassle to attach and not that comfortable for dd2 yet. I'm wondering about buying a front-carrying seat for dd2 and using that in combination with the back carrier.

Does anyone use a front carrier, with or without another child on the back? What are the pros and cons? Do you recommend any particular models? What should we consider in buying one?

Ideally it would be easily transferrable to another bike, so that the seats could also go on dp's bike.

You really can't carry two children on a bike, unless they're in a trailer. It destabilises the bike too much - when I was getting ds' bike seat, there were lots of sites saying 'don't ever think about using both at once'. I wouldn't risk it - they're too precious! If you've already got the trailer then I would think about using that instead.

When we lived in Amsterdam, it was the commonest sight in the world to see people carrying two children on a bike - front and back, and usually only the littlest ones with bike helmets! It was a kind of standing joke that you could tell who the foreign kids were as they were the only ones wearing helmets! Having said that, cycling there was a completely different proposition to here, there are wonderful cycling lanes everywhere, completely separate from the road, separate traffic lights - everything. We felt very comfortable letting our then 3 year old cycle around town with us whereas here he won't be out on any of our local roads until he is about 16! So I think it is do-able but perhaps not in this country.

Round here (Cambridge) you see it fairly frequently... I guess you just have to practise in the park until you get used to the weight distribution. Some shops sell super-duper Dutch bikes with the two seats, mudflaps and front visor - the manufacturer is Amazone I think. Also, Halfords NL have a website which might give you some ideas (also has clever accessories such as a clip to attach a folded stroller to your bike).

babster, I've just come back from a week in Cambridge and seeing all the happy kids there riding around on all sorts of combinations of seats, trailers, trailer-bikes etc is what has made me want to explore this option. Having said that, it is true that even with dd1 in her seat alters the weight distribution substantially.

I like the bike seat more than the trailer though. It's so much more sociable. I love having dd1 chatting and singing in my ear as we ride along. Can't talk to them when they're in the trailer

Hi rolymoly - that sounds lovely, having dd chatting behind you. If you're ever back in Cambridge, have a look in the window of Drake's (bike shop on Hills Road, on the way into town from the station). The Dutch bike is fabulous - really sturdy with a double stand so it's safer to get the kids on and off. Have to admit that I'm an armchair expert on this one though - didn't get on with my bike seat, so we walk/buggy board everywhere!