epim00

Two things:
1) I've done a fair amount of research and genuinely can't find an answer, so I'm here.
2) I really, really want to bike with my two year old and my wife is really, really against it for safety reasons.

My toddler is 2.5 y.o. and I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts on putting a child car seat in a bike trailer to better persuade my unconvinced wife. I know this is a common strategy for infants, but how about toddlers? In addition to being overkill, is this even doable or advisable?

Nate.

cplager

I don't see how you're going to secure the car seat well, so this at worst makes it more dangerous.

At best, they'll lose a lot of the suspension from the fabric seat, so you'll make the ride worse.

Trailers don't easily tip (even if the bike does), so the danger is getting hit by a car. Car seat isn't take going to help that much (in that unlikely event).

delcrossv

Put the kid in a Burley Bee and ride the trails. Hopefully that'll satisfy the wife. As Charles says, a good trailer is just as safe w/o a car seat as the kid is strapped in. I've put several hundred miles on ours with both 1 and 2 kids in it without worries.

What are your wife's specific objections?

Tony Marley

+1 on the Burley trailer, with a properly fitted bicycle helmet.

But in another year or so, it will be time to move up to a "periscope" tandem or a small Bike Friday tandem....

epim00

Nothing specific. Generalized, irrational, inarguable fear.

Nate.

fietsbob

Have friends that Did such In The 70's .. Trailer (steel) had a Plywood deck to attach the car seat To , and high side rails ..

She Grew Up OK ..


Now, Many Child trailers have Seat belts .. some 4 point ..

The extra Space can allow some plush toys, to come along (and perhaps be thrown out along the way..)

metz1295

I'm in between on this question. I have no problem putting my 3 yr old in a trailer, but I'm very specific about how I approach his safety. I would not add a car seat to the trailer. All it does is add weight for you and removes mobility from your child. Resulting in lowering enjoyment for everyone. A quality trailer will have a harness designed to suspend the child in the event of an incredibly rare rollover. My safety attention goes to where I pull the trailer. He is only with me on residential streets and bike paths. I will not pull him on a busy roadside.

If you're trying to set your wife's mind at ease, I recommend trying to get her out with you. Let her see how your efforts are solely focused on the safety of your child.

ray.garza

Set rules that she can agree to like ride on only bike trails, car free state parks or other "safe" areas that are separated from streets. Also, have her come out with you and cycle together as a family. If you know someone else that cycles with kids invite them to join you and your family. Something to ponder.

Darth Lefty 

Two and a half? My wife couldn't wait to put my kid in the trailer and he's 7mo

HawkeyeBike

My daughter is 3 years old and rides in a Burely with a bike helmet on behind me. The Burely has a 5-point harness in it so she is safe. Get a tall orange bike flag to attach to it and should be fine. My daughter loves bike rides.

snow_echo_NY

Nate @epim00 no no no! a car seat is meant for only a car and approved for use on a commercial plane.

we use a chariot carriers multi-use bike trailer. it's recently been bought by Thule. it converts to a jogging stroller and a XC ski sled. the entire frame or "cage" is titanium, front and back. she has a five point harness and wears a helmet. we have been riding with her since she was 1 years old. when i'm riding with her i just remember that i'm "driving a bus" and to make enough clearance for wide turns. the only incident we had was last year, i tipped over going over a curb (my fault). i got some scrapes and she was secure in her trailer, she had a mild scare but she was totally okay. while riding with her these past few years, she does get scared if i pick up too much speed. so i ride slow and easy so she can enjoy the ride too.

there are some good bike trailers available. ours also came with a tall orange bike trailer flag. read up on them and their features and have your wife read them. her fear is irrational and fueled by her not knowing. fear of the unknown is a thing, especially for a mom (as one, i totally understand)

good luck!

Cyclosaurus

We have one of these. It's called a Taga and we got it because my wife was against the trailer for safety reasons. Btw, it also converts into a stroller. Pretty clever, fun to ride, the child is up front to be seen and interacted with.

Darth Lefty 

Yeah, this is my one major dislike of the trailer so far. However the wife is quite opposed to anything that would position the baby as the point of impact in a wreck.


I've never seen a toy store with aisles that wide :-D

Juha

I think this prettty much nails it. I'm not sure you can do anything to convince her it's safe... maybe start with rides outside of traffic as suggested already?

duketg

I have to agree with this, it's really not safe to use a car seat in a way that it wasn't designed for.

I was taking my youngest out in the trailer at around 1yr and never felt unsafe, but anecdotes are not facts. As others have mentioned, I'd say see if you can start with rides on paths only if that's an option. Maybe once your wife gets acclimated to the idea you can expand from there? I tend to stick to paths and neighborhood streets with the trailer. I don't think I'd ever do busy road/highway, even with a bike lane. Maybe that's an irrational fear too, but it's my level of comfort.