cycling with infants

[sunnyweather]

I'm finding it difficult to be active and look after a baby and im wondering if this might be the answer but Im v nervous about safety. Im not the most confident cyclist but OH is pretty good. The plan is to buy a rear baby seat for his bike and for us to cycle with me behind them. We would only use cycle tracks and not be in traffic- really its for exercise not for transport. Im wondering what other peoples experience of cycling with thier children is. Did the children like it? Does it feel safe? What is a realistc amount of time to be on the bike? Are there any super safe seats or any to avoid? Any advice about good holiday destinations in the North of England to go with child and bike? DS is just coming up for 1 by the way.

Baby's max in one go will be about an hour, ime. And maybe 2-3 hours/total max per day. I suspect you're the one who will get tired of it first! Most babies that age aren't keen on bumpy off-road, though, pick your trail carefully.

There are lots of good websites for your DH to look at.
I would make sure to get a seat which has a hump between the baby legs to keep tot from slipping down; most seats are like that, anyway. Otherwise not much difference in safety, just price.
Reclining seats are good at that age, baby is more comfortable reclined when they inevitably nod off.

I live in London and have cycled with DD in a bike seat since she was just over 1. The guidance for bike seats is that the child should be able to sit up and support their own head while wearing a cycle helmet. This is estimated at around 1 year old, although obviously it depends on the child.

We have a http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/21111/CoPilot_Limo_Child_Seat Co-Pilot Limo seat, they're pretty expensive new (around £100) but are better value if you can get a second hand one in good condition. We went for it because in our opinion it was one of the safest and sturdiest seats on the market. It also attaches via a pannier rack, which I've found very useful.

DD has always loved the seat. At times she's fallen asleep in it as she's so comfy! As I live in London I find it quicker and easier to take her with me on the bike than walking or driving. We do avoid main roads though. We've never done a very long journey, but she regularly spends up to 45 minutes in the seat without complaint, awake and waving regally at passers-by!

No advice about cycling in the North of England, I'm sure someone else will be able to help you with that.

Oops, sorry about that link. Try again...

www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/21111/CoPilot_Limo_Child_Seat

Cycled with DS1 in a Co-Pilot taxi from about 8 months; he too often fell asleep in it. He probably did 3000 miles in 18 months - certainly got me fit again!

If you're not very confident, you could try getting some cycle training - Sustrans would be a good place to start www.sustrans.org.uk/

We have this. Kids love it. :)

we have a reclining seat for dd who is 16mths got i when she ten months? we also have a trailer for ds4 who is 4 and she can go in that as well, for little babies you can get seats, like carseats to strap into trailers as well.

get well fitting helmet at a god quality bike shop, same for the seat, go to an independent bike shop and get one that fits well to your bike :)

I used to cycle to work with my ds from the age of about 14 months. I used a seat mounted in front of me to start with as felt safer being able to see him. I had this bobike

It's supposed to be used up to 15kg but as I'm quite short I had to stop using it earlier as I couldn't see over his head! :)

I then had a copilot limo as in one of the earlier posts. I liked that it would fit on a rack as I tried one that mounted on a bracket on the seat post but it felt very unstable.

Ds loved cycling and would wave to everyone!

We also have a Croozer. Worth the money. Now have 2 DDs and they can both travel happily in there. Plus quite fine if they fall asleep.

We have a trailer a bit like sarthefansplease. DS like's falling asleep in it and unlike a bike seat they don't effect the balance of the bilke.

We tired a bike seat but DH didn't like how it effected his bablance so if your not a confident biker it mite not be a good option for you. I beleive the one's where they sit infront of you are better for this but haven't tried one.

I used a bobike mini front mounted seat with DS from when he was about 9 months or so (but he had amazing head control, can only just use it with DD at 14mo). I agree with off road or trails being tricky as its best to have a smooth ride when they are little! I love the front mounted seat as the child doesn't put you off balance and they really love being next to you and seeing what's going on.

We now have a copilot back seat for DS (i hate it as it feels really unbalanced) and a burley trailer we got off eBay for both of them. We used to take DS out for the whole day cycling when he was 1 and he would be fine, we haven't tried a whole day with both in the trailer yet as DD is only just able to cope with the helmet but hopefully soon!

We have a Hamax something on DH's bike but we both ride it with DS on the back. He's used it since he was about 17m & is 25m now. Loves it. Ashamed to say we have both fallen off with him in the back (wearing a helmet) but thrilled to say he wasn't hurt & loves going out on it.

Enjoy.

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and also for the links. I like the idea of the front mounted seat but dh not so sure. I might see if one of the bike shops would let us try one out. Hearing that coming off the bike resulted in no injury has actually really reassured me! I'm starting to get quite excited by the whole idea , ds is pretty intrepid and I'm sure he is going to love it!

Oh yes, and thanks for the tips re trails!

Yes, I overbalanced about a month ago with a Hamax rear seat and the only one hurt was me. That was the only time in 3 years though and I had a rucksack, high heels and a carrier bag swinging from handlebars, as well as DS on the back, so not the fault of Hamax seat IYSWIM.

Try not to fall over like that though. My ankle is still bad and my arm isn't right...

We cycle everywhere with DD now 4 in the back of DHs bike...I'm not strong enough to carry her on mine. We wear high vis vests and we know all the cycle routes...it's great and my older DD loves it! People seem to give us a lot of space and let us go first....DH is very confident and so leads, DD goes behind him and I go at the back.

Sometimes we cycle with another family and it's even easier as we are like a big trailing vehicle in our own right then....we get a lot of space. We have had one incident when one of the DC fell off....that was because he tried to go up the kerb onto the path....he was fine but it can be scary and you have to be right on the ball. We love it.