Child Bicycle Trailers

Photography: Amy Walker

Selena Lam with son Barrett.Photograph by Amy Walker

You've committed to using a bicycle for your shorter trips, but you also have children. Do you really need a minivan to transport them to the local park?
For smaller children, bicycle trailers from companies like Burley, Chariot, Wike, and Croozer can be hitched to your bike to tote your
children and even a little cargo. Bike trailers for children typically are a metal frame with a heavy duty fabric covering and seat, with designs that can carry one or two children. A harness keeps the child in his seat. The trailer typically weighs from 20 to 40 pounds and can carry a child up to 52 inches tall weighing 75 to 100 pounds. Many trailers convert to jogging strollers, and some can even be converted to snow sleds with ski kits for cross country skiing.
Look for a trailer with good ventilation for hot summer days, as well as a way to close those vents. You'll work up a sweat as you pedal your bike, but realize your child sits exposed to the breeze, sedentary and chilly. Because the trailer is immediately behind the tire, a fender is a very good idea to keep road debris out of your child's face.
Child bicycle trailer hitches almost universally connect to a receiver mounted to the axle through either a quick release skewer or a nutted axle. If you switch frequently between different bikes, consider getting extra hitch mounts.
According to Josh Lipton, who operates Biketrailershop.com as president of Wandertec, hitches are one of the biggest drawbacks to trailers from discount retail stores. Warranty support and replacement parts are generally not available for the least expensive trailers, with "lots of no name brands that pop up and disappear." One of the most common questions at his store is about replacement hitches for these orphaned brands of trailers.
Almost all child trailers have two wheels. Plastic wheels are less expensive; metal spoked wheels are more comfortable for the child, according to Lipton, because they provide more suspension.
New trailer users should be aware that any two wheeled bike trailer can flip over, especially if you turn too fast. Many new users who aren't accustomed to the trailer width often take a corner too tightly, hitting the curb and flipping the trailer that way. The hitches are designed so that if the bicycle falls over the trailer will remain upright.
I've pulled child trailers with "racing" style bikes, but a trailer is not something for weight weenies. Dragging a 30 pound parachute with 40 pounds of child inside is not a recipe for fast riding.
In general, higher prices gets you better suspension, more adaptability, less weight, higher quality materials, and options such as cup holders.
Because the child sits directly over the wheel axles, his ride can be very bumpy. My children never complained - the usual reaction to hitting bumps was "Whee!" - but smaller children may be more comfortable with better suspension.
Bike trailer companies don't recommend bike rides for infants less than a year old, but many of them offer miniature seats like Burley's "Baby Snuggler" that fit in the trailer, with the warning that this "Snuggler" is for use only when the trailer is in its stroller mode. Helmets should never be used before the child is able to support his head.
Because the trailer is out of sight behind you, Lipton advises caution and care when transporting your child in a trailer. Trailers
provide minimal crash protection, so parents should ride carefully and defensively. Most trailers have reflective piping, come with an orange safety flag, and provide some place to clip lights.