How old before cycling with baby?

[Janoschi]

Hello

We have some lovely bike tracks nearby and I'd like to ask MNetters how old a baby/toddler should be before it's safe to ride on the bike. Would you recommend any specific equipment?

Thanks!

We have a seat on the back of the bike, which we started using at 11 months iirc. Good neck control is important because it's important they wear a helmet. Practically speaking, we couldn't have started much earlier as there was no smaller helmet size available.

It's probably a different matter with a trailer, though. We didn't look into them because they were much more expensive, but I think I heard that you can put a Group 0 car seat in. Hopefully someone will be along to tell you whether I've made that up or not.

IIRC, on a childseat, they need to be able to support their head fully with a helmet on - so not earlier than 9 or 10 months, even on gentle trails (we waited til gone 1 year just to be sure).

Agree it is different if you have a full suspension trailer that can take a baby car seat - I think you can put even quite small babies in those because they are fully supported by the seat and suspension.

Just make sure you get a decent child's helmet professionally fitted (they are adjustable so will fit for a year or so). We spent out on a reclining child seat - about one hundred quid - but worth it so DS could nap on the back.

Our dc's bike seats all said from 6 months. We used them (infrequently) from about 5 months as they always had very good head control from an early age. Some child's seats are much higher than others - my dd4 prefers the higher ones even now. It's Hamax, and seems very solid.

Looking back, I'd have tried one of the seats that goes in front of the parent, not behind, but I imagine the child has to be older. ( I like the idea of 'hugging' your child!)

Front seats look great but ex-DH, who has a fair amount of knowledge in this area, tells me they are dreadful in an accident, as the child is likely to be crushed under the adult. (can't provide stats tho) Although less fun, the rear rack seats, esp the ones with a high back, are apparently a lot safer.

The trailer we had, had three or five can't remember point straps, plus an unbuilt roll cage so there was actually no need for a helmet. Of course as soon as they had a trike they wore helmets...

Oops, of course I meant 'in built' (bloody iPhone)

hadn't thought of crushing the dc - just liked the cuddling aspect! Good job I hadn't seen the front seats a few years ago!

Dc certainly feel completely safe and comfortable in the high back.

Thanks people!

from 6mths, i have a bike seat that can recline a bit and you can get helmets to fit from a specialist bike shop.

we have a trailer as well and i think i put them in that from about 8mths?

best bet is just to have a go on a short, quiet journey and see how baby likes it!

but head control and the ability to sit up i would think are needed :)

oh and re the front seats, i think they make you have your legs in a slightly awkward position to pedal, ie a bit more wide open than normal, i didnt find them comfortable at all, its worth trying a few before buying so see what you get on with, again an independent bike shop/hire place should be able to let you do this :)