Bicycle child seats and carriers
Summary: Here is info on bike seats and carriers. Parents who can afford them are increasingly turning to cargo bikes to haul their kids, often with electric assist. But there is still satisfaction from moving people and groceries on pedaled bicycles.
Although some safety advocates recommend against mounting child seats on a bicycle, several states require a helmet on the child if you do. Helmets for children transported in child seats or trailers should never be the "aero" shape, since the tail hits the back of the seat and forces the child's head downward. You may have to put a cushion behind the child's back to prevent this. If a child dozes in a seat or trailer their head may loll and bounce around, a situation pediatricians say is not good, so either provide a cushion on the sides or some other means to prevent this, or be prepared to stop whenever the child gets sleepy.
- This medical journal article documents the dangers of using child carrier seats.
- Our own page on taking your baby along in a trailer or child seat.
- ASTM has a standard for child trailers.
- ASTM has a standard for rear-mounted child bike carriers.
- The IBF has a page up on child seats and trailers.
- Here is Tom Fine's page on why he likes
trailers.
- Safe Kids Worldwide has a website with more info on child safety.
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