Which is Safer for My Child? Child Seats, Backpacks or Third-wheel Cycles?
We all know that the primary concern for infants on bicycles is injury to their necks. Because of the jostling of the bicycle or trailer, and the additional weight of a helmet (8-10 oz.), the start time is usually a few months after a baby can first hold their head up. While there is no comprehensive study on the best method to carry an infant on a bike and there are risks associated with all of them.
According to David Mozer, here are some factors to consider:
- Backpacks
- Child seats / Baby Carriers
- Child bike trailers
The conservative approach is that taking an infant on a bike in a backpack has risks and is potentially dangerous - and it is illegal in some jurisdictions. Some of the issues are: The center of gravity is higher; if you wear helmets, your helmets may banged together; the child is quite vulnerable in a fall because the distance is higher and there is a greater chance of the infant ending up underneath the adult in a tumble; and the backpack provides less protection than a child seat or trailer.
Kid seats tend to work well for children 1-3 years old. One danger of bike seats is not when the bike is being pedaled, but when it is stopped. When the rider gets off the saddle, or dismounts, it takes more effort to maintain the bike's balance and keep it upright.
Child seats certainly have the advantage, especially in an urban area, of not adding to the size of the "footprint" of the bike, which may lessen harassment by motorists.
Here is a solution that bikepartsusa.com offers you.
Angelina Jolie with Brad Pitt, Bicycling in New Orleans
Photo Credit: SpashNewsOnline.com
Trailers are more stable and affect the handling of the bike much less that bike seats. Trailers with chain stay (rear triangle)
hitches affect bike handling less and are probably less likely to tip, than trailers with seat post hitches. Trailers also have the
advantage of being able to carry larger children (1-4 years) and multiple children. (several trailers are rated to 45 kgs. or 100 lbs.)
Kids can be set-in the trailer with toys, books, drink, food and other amusements. Trailers can provide more weather protection against
rain and sun. Sitting low, with a low center of gravity, falls are rare and short. The down side is that the child sit low and has a
restricted view. And, trailers have a larger foot-print, which may be a problem on narrow roads and in congested urban areas - instead
of sharing a lane, you are more likely to have to take-up a lane for safety. The child is also easier to monitored with the use of a
handlebar bar-end mounted rear view mirror.
It is also recommend that the trailers occupants wear helmets.
Road and traffic considerations may be a more significant factor than stability issues so it can't be said that one method is better than another in a given situation.
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