Bike tow rope/bar/nothing?!

[Rouge14]

My DD is 5 and is cycling her bike without stabilisers fairly competently and has been for a little while, however is not very confident. We’d like to try going for more family cycles and bought her a tow rope, however I am not convinced by how safe it is, ie she could still swerve into the road, or crash into parent bike, or get dragged along!! What age do people let them cycle on (quiet ish, country) roads themselves? Or alternatively would a tow bar be better - any reccos?!

I have never tried a tow rope, I would also be concerned about dragging but you know your child’s ability best.

We have used a tow bar. Around 5 years old we would cycle one way and then tow bar her back!

More cycles will definitely up her confidence! Good luck! Can you try out the tow rope on a cycle path?

Although you can buy towing bungees for kids bikes they are really only meant to be used for towing uphill, to save tired little legs while climbing. The kids bike is under tension at back as you climb. Towing on the flat is dangerous as the child can easily crash into the towing cycle and as you say swerve into the road or fall and be dragged.

Ideally you want something like a Trailgator that can attach your DDs ordinary bike to your bike, meaning that she can ride some of the way and be towed the rest, as @PinkPonyAnonymous suggests above.

There’s a good article on Cycling UK’s website here: https://www.cyclinguk.org/article/campaigns-guide/guide-tag-longs-trailer-bikes

Happy cycling!

I wouldn’t take a 5 year old on a road at all. It’s not them and their lack of skill though that’s certainly a factor. It’s how foolishly drivers drive and how little they are at 5. Very easy for a car driver to not even notice a 5 year old if they aren’t paying attention.

We stuck to cycle paths. My 13 year old rides on the road now (with an adult). But I’d be reluctant to take even my competent 8 year old out of the roads around here. They’re very narrow and lots of blind bends.

@PinkPonyAnonymous Yes, I am sure she will get more confident as we do more! We tried the tow rope on paths and it was fine, but then it’s all fine until it’s not fine!! Thank you. Which tow bar did you use?

@MamaBobo thats a great article thank
you!

I used the bikeability site to find free courses run by the council. They took my kids from not being able to cycle to cycling in quiet roads in four lessons. They were spaced out over 6 months but it really helped.

Follow Me. Pricey, but brilliant.