Cargo bike, bike trailer, child seat – if you have children and are travelling without a car, you have to make a choice. One may be more practical than the other, but what is the safest option for transporting children on a bike?
Thomas Geisler is an editor at Pressedienst-Fahrrad and father of two children. In the interview, he examines the advantages and disadvantages of the various transport options and gives useful tips for safe cycling with children.
Mr. Geisler, is it even safe to transport children on a bicycle?
Yes, it is safe to ride a bike with children. The number of accidents is minimal. For example, around 16 accidents involving child trailers were documented across Germany last year, all of which resulted in minor injuries to the children. This shows that the products have a very high safety standard and that children are protected accordingly.
It is of course important that parents follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If there are minimum or maximum dimensions for how tall or heavy children can be, these must be adhered to. And this also includes following the instructions correctly. This means that the children must of course be properly buckled in, the helmet must be put on correctly, everything that is part of safety.
Parents and children often need time to get used to the new vehicle
Cheap and easy to install: The child seat has several advantages, but also poses risks due to its height.Yay images/imago
What are the most common mistakes that ambitious parents make when transporting children?
The biggest problem is that parents often want too much too quickly. They want to be out and about with their children right away and go on longer trips. Parents and children need time to get used to the new vehicle. For example, you can put a trailer in the apartment or garage so that the children can climb in and explore the new vehicle.
Parents should also do a practice ride at the beginning. The handling of trailers or cargo bikes is different to that of normal bikes. You should start by riding shorter distances with children because the impressions that bombard the child are quite intense. Children suddenly notice a lot more of the traffic and the noise, they see a lot more. You have to give the child time to process that.
At what age can children be safely transported by bicycle?
It depends on how you transport them. With a child seat, it is roughly the age at which children can sit independently; between six and nine months, as a rule. With a child trailer, it can start earlier. Then there are certain children’s hammocks in which you can transport children from the first month. But you should not drive on forest paths because the vibrations can endanger the child.
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To person
Thomas Geisler is an editor at Pressedienst-Fahrrad, has worked in the bicycle industry for 14 years and is a father of two. He was born in 1983, studied cultural studies and now lives with his family in Rhineland-Palatinate. His children are seven and five years old, he says, the perfect age to be transported by bicycle.
What are the benefits of child seats?
The biggest advantage of the child seat is that it is practical and allows normal cycling. The seat can be easily attached and removed. The bike can be parked in normal surroundings. In parking facilities, in the hallway or in the back yard. In big cities in particular, it also has the advantage that you can easily get through narrow places. For example, through street bollards or when something is blocked off. You can still ride through with the seats. Another advantage is that the child seat is cheap compared to other options.
What are the disadvantages of child seats?
With a child seat, it is primarily the height from which the child falls. If you have an accident or the bike falls over, the child falls from a height onto the asphalt. This can lead to injuries, which is why children should always wear a helmet. Getting on can also be dangerous because children often want to climb up on their own, which could cause the bike to fall over.
Another disadvantage is that there is no weather protection and there are few luggage options. With small frame sizes, you sometimes can’t attach a child seat because it just doesn’t hold properly.
What are the advantages of trailers?
The multifunctionality of a child trailer is a great advantage. You can use it as a trailer or as a stroller and only need one vehicle. You can also take two children or luggage and toys with you. Another advantage is that you can go on longer trips because the children can keep themselves busy and don’t get bored so quickly. Another very important point is protection from rain, wind or snow.
The biggest advantage of the child seat is that it is practical and allows normal cycling.Zuma/imago
If you want to transport two children, an e-bike is worth it to support
And what are the disadvantages of child trailers?
One disadvantage of child trailers is the space they take up. When parking, you have the problem that you can’t really park the trailer. If you live in an apartment, this can be problematic. However, foldable trailers are being developed to make this easier. If you want to transport two children, you should get an e-bike. In the city, where you often have to stop at traffic lights, the motor can help you get going. Attaching the trailer can also be tricky and requires a bit of basic cycling knowledge.
What about cargo bikes?
The main advantages of the cargo bike are that in most cases the transport area is at the front, so you can see the children and talk to them. You can usually take two or more children with you in the cargo bike. The bike can also be used for transport without children, for example for shopping. Many families replace a second car with the cargo bike.
The big disadvantage of the cargo bike is of course the parking problem and theft protection. These bikes are very expensive and can easily weigh 30 kilograms, so you can’t just carry them into your apartment. The weight can also be unusual, especially if you have children with you, it’s not easy to hold the bike. For many people, the price is a factor, high-quality bikes cost around 5,000 euros.
What is an advantage with a child seat is a disadvantage with trailers and cargo bikes: If you are travelling on narrow cycle paths or have to go through narrow places, you have to take a detour or move onto the road.
Infrastructure is key for safe cycling
Bicycle accidents can be dangerous, especially in traffic. What is the best way to protect children from them?
When protecting yourself, it is important to put a helmet on children and fasten all seat belts, even in a trailer or cargo bike. You should drive with foresight and plan your route so that you may drive two minutes longer, but take a safe route.
The children will then remember this for their own traffic behavior later on. But safety depends above all on the infrastructure. Appropriate infrastructure must be created to make driving with children possible and safe. This means more 30 km/h zones in cities and building good, safe cycle paths.
How safe are cargo bikes really?
A lot has happened since bicycles became more and more popular. Some manufacturers have even progressed to the point where the hulls and structure of some cargo bikes can almost be compared to cars in terms of safety. And that simply shows that a lot has been invested in the topic, which of course also has an impact on the price.
The associations are also working to ensure that safe products come onto the market and that they are tested better and to a higher load. In the past, a bicycle had a permissible total weight of around 100 kilograms. We are now testing up to 220 kilograms. The bicycle industry has responded to the high demand and is making it a priority to ensure that products are tested to meet the higher weights.
Statistically speaking, the trailer is the safest option because children are more protected in the trailer cells.PhotoAlto/imago
Problematic pollutants have been found in bicycle trailers, but these do not have a direct impact on children
And what about the bike trailer?
Statistically, the trailer is the safest option because children are more protected in the trailer cells. If the trailer is attached to the bike, it will not roll over in a collision but will be pushed to the side.
However, there was recently a test by Stiftung Warentest that looked at the pollutants in trailers. Here we have to say quite clearly: This is a problem. However, these PFAS are not directly harmful to children when they are sitting in the trailer; the coating is applied to the outside to provide protection from rain. These PFAS enter the environment through abrasion, are absorbed by plants or livestock and return to the cycle. Alternatives are being worked on, and PFAS-free alternatives will be on the market in a few years.
What about child seats, are they safe?
A lot has happened in the safety of child seats in recent years. There are child seats that have a reclining position so that the head does not tip forward if the child falls asleep. Or that have better protection for the legs if the bike does tip over. There are many measures that make the product safer, but the height at which a child can fall from the seat remains critical in terms of safety.
Do you have any other tips for young parents or beginners who want to transport their children by bike?
Give your children time, give them time and do some practice laps yourself. And a very important tip: just enjoy. Enjoy the time together, enjoy nature and don’t let everyday life or traffic stress you out too much.
