Need some advice about family cycling?

Question

I have a 18-month-old child and would like to take her on rides with me around the neighborhood. Would she (and I) be safer (and happier) with a child seat or a trailer?

Also, what kind of bike is ideal for biking with kids (hybrid, mountain, comfort)? If you would like to give a specific brand and/or model, that would help also.

Answer 1

A trailer is safer by a large margin.  

Type of bike is a matter of personal taste.  I can't imagine selecting a bike solely for suitability for family rides.  Get one that works for the sort of riding you would do without the kids, and just use that.  

I generally rode my mountain bike or one of my beaters when riding with kids and grandkids only because its more stable at low speed than my touring or racing bikes.

Answer 2

I used both the child seat and the trailer.  I've found the trailer to be more useful; the kids (both of mine are easy-going) had no strong preference.  As mentioned, the trailer is generally safer.

Both take some getting used to.  Take a test ride or two on low-traffic roads before venturing out into heavier traffic.  For the child seat, be prepared for sudden shifts of weight.  With the trailer, it takes a while to get used to the extra width when clearing obstacles and staying out of the door zone of parked cars.

Also as mentioned, you'll be most comfortable with well, the bike you're most comfortable with.  I prefer touring bikes for their light weight and durability, but I ride strictly on roads.  I've towed many a kid using touring bikes.  

One thing to consider is the gearing.  You'll want a broader range of gears so you can handle the extra weight.  Each of the bikes you mentioned can be found with a wide range of gears, but some will have a more narrow range.  This is perhaps the only factor that would pertain specifically to riding with kids.

Answer 3

Trailers are great; I see lots of them as I ride around, and about a 1/4 of the time, the kids are zonked out in them.

I'd suggest a hybrid bike; the wheels are bigger than on a traditional mountain bike which makes rolling along easier.   The Trek 7000 series or the Giant Cypress series are good places to start looking.   One mistake a friend of mine made was getting disc brakes; skip that option (the salesman will tell you that you need them because they have more stopping power - just smile and say no thanks).   Disc brakes on cheaper bikes are nothing but added weight and maintenance trouble.

Answer 4

If you're just going to ride around the neighborhood for the enjoyment of you and your child then think about a cruiser. Take a look at the line offered by Electra. If you imagine riding outside your home roads then a mountain bike or hybrid might do the job.

For carrying your child I'd recommend a trailer rather than the old-style seat attached to the frame. A trailer will not fall over if you do and the child is low to the ground (in case they wriggle out) plus it offers shade from rain or sun. They are pricey though, and so is a new cruiser (at least a good one). But, you get what you pay for and it's more fun riding with you child when you don't have to worry about the bike or trailer falling apart under you.

Answer 5

The Bakfiets bike, made in the Netherlands:

http://www.bakfiets.nl/eng/photos.php