I'm just looking for advice. My husband and I have been carfree for 12 years and are not interested in changing that status even though we're expecting a baby in June. I've been looking into bike trailers and would like one that we can haul the kid when it's still tiny. But they all say no kids before one year and no car seats in the trailer. I'm not really comfortable gerry-rigging something... but also a year with no biking would make our lives very sad and tricky since it's our main form of transportation. Suggestions? Thanks, Shea

Infant packs. I see people using them often down here on the Bonneville shoreline trail and up in the wasatch on the mountain trails all the time. The selection and assortments are much better than when my kids were that size. http://www.babiesrus.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=2256186&camp=PPC:... http://www.toughtraveler.com/?gclid=CNiz1sa2-ZgCFQ9Jagodah6ToQ Also look for backcountry.com and "kid carriers".

Happy shopping and happy parenthood. It's a delight AFAIC.Bob

I'm just looking for advice. My husband and I have been carfree for 12 years and are not interested in changing that status even though we're expecting a baby in June. I've been looking into bike trailers and would like one that we can haul the kid when it's still tiny. But they all say no kids before one year and no car seats in the trailer. I'm not really comfortable gerry-rigging something... but also a year with no biking would make our lives very sad and tricky since it's our main form of transportation. Suggestions? Thanks, Shea _______________________________________________ Community mailing list Community@slcbikecollective.org http://lists.slcbikecollective.org/listinfo.cgi/community-slcbikecollective....

Ya, continually shaking a baby can't be good. Probably a syndrome out there for it already.

;)

-----Original Message----- From: community-bounces@slcbikecollective.org [mailto:community-bounces@slcbikecollective.org] On Behalf Of krisha Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 12:49 PM To: mtbiker62@comcast.net Cc: SLC Bicycle Collective; The Think Tank Subject: Re: [SLC Bike Collective] babies and bikes

Ryan - I don't think you're off on this subject at all! An infant too young could easily be injured (even if not visibly) while in a trailer. I do however think it can depend if you have a cheap trailer vs. a model with shock absorption features etc. Also if you are on a newly paved road vs. an older bumpy road. Continual shaking of a newborn on a bike ride is not something I'd recommend though.

Bob - Child carriers are an absolute MUST for mom and dad to have! They have those you've linked and also slings/mei tai are options as well. They're great for any time you need free hands, happy babies, and hiking of course. As far as putting it into a bike trailer for security.. I can't recommend that as they can be unsturdy, bulky, and may not fit in properly.

I've seen dozens of parents come to the downtown farmers market with infants in trailers under 12 months! I haven't done it myself, but have been commuting with my toddler for a almost a full year now. I'd stick with a Chariot for an infant and then Burley as a runner up for trailer choices.

Chariot makes a baby supporter for infants 3 -18 months. http://www.chariotcarriers.com/english/html/accessories.php?accID=3

Burley makes a baby snuggler for infants 3-12 months. http://www.burley.com/products/accessories/index.cfm

I'd chose a Britax car seat if I were to use one in a trailer. http://www.britaxusa.com/safety/what-safe-reason.aspx http://www.britaxusa.com/products/product_detail.aspx?ID=2

Any of the infants I've come across in trailers are in car seats. I do recommend waiting until your infant can sit up though which would occur sometime between 4-7 months. There is always public transportation and taking turns with dad staying home when going out. Trust me it goes by quick and there is always a way!

Congratulations Shea!

Krisha

You should look at a bakfiets (Dutch Cargo Bike) They are not
inexpensive, but a lot of families in Holland use them for just that
purpose. It puts the kiddos up front where you can keep an eye on
them, and accomodated a car seat or larger child with ease.

On Feb 26, 2009, at 12:07 AM, Shea Pickelner wrote:

I'm just looking for advice. My husband and I have been carfree for
12 years and are not interested in changing that status even though
we're expecting a baby in June. I've been looking into bike
trailers and would like one that we can haul the kid when it's still
tiny. But they all say no kids before one year and no car seats in
the trailer. I'm not really comfortable gerry-rigging something...
but also a year with no biking would make our lives very sad and
tricky since it's our main form of transportation. Suggestions? Thanks, Shea _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...

i have really enjoyed seeing this thread. My wife and I live on our bikes and we had our first child 12 weeks ago. Amongst all the life changes hence ensued, was a big set back to being able to just ride everywhere we wanted. We wanted get our son SAFELY on a bike as soon as possible and searched around heaps for different options. We have a trailer, but I am skeptical to put him behind me - essentially between me and traffic i can't constantly watch. I like the front mounted child carriers (the idea anyway if not the specific materials / construction). However none of those are supportive enough for an infant.

I have a good friend who uses an old "butchers bike" and like the idea of the load in the front over a smaller front wheel. Those (and their dutch 'bakfiets' equivalent) are hard to come by in New Zealand. So we made what we wanted. I ended up taking a child car seat with an infant insert and building a custom set of handlebars that attached it to the front of the bike. I will try to insert a pic here, but some more pics can be seen at: http://lovespreads.smugmug.com/gallery/3703321_weRTA

The angle of the seat can be rotated from flat to upright and it is very sturdily attached to the front of the bike. All of the protection you have in a car is there (except the car, of course). On a test ride with a stuffed monkey (as photographed) and a few kg of groceries the bike is very comfy and handles like a dream. visibility is not an issue as i dont need to see what is under my front wheel at every moment. Bumps have to be negotiated with care for all the reasons previously mentioned in this thread. Ideally a custom made frame with a smaller front wheel and a suspension fork would sort that out (maybe for the second child). The bakfiets page mentions issues with kick stand and high center of mass - one of those kick stands that mounts farther back on the chainstay will sort that out.

Still a bit nervous about going out in traffic with him, but we can get to town via parks and paths for the most part. Any comments questions appreciated

cheers, chris

Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:07:06 -0700 From: shea@cityacademyslc.org CC: community@slcbikecollective.org; thethinktank@bikecollectives.org Subject: [TheThinkTank] babies and bikes

I'm just looking for advice. My husband and I have been carfree for 12 years and are not interested in changing that status even though we're expecting a baby in June. I've been looking into bike trailers and would like one that we can haul the kid when it's still tiny. But they all say no kids before one year and no car seats in the trailer. I'm not really comfortable gerry-rigging something... but also a year with no biking would make our lives very sad and tricky since it's our main form of transportation. Suggestions? Thanks, Shea _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...

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