Trailer Bike or Tandem for Special Needs Daughter?

Question

My daughter is nine years old and can ride a two wheeler bike, however, due to developmental delays, she is very unreliable as far as looking where she is going, staying on paths, and watching for traffic. We want to take up cycling as a family activity but cannot find a trailer bike we feel would suit her. Most of them have an 80lb weight limit which she will exceed very soon. The only ones I can find that have a greater weight limit, have two wheels on the back, tricycle-style which she thinks are too babyish since she can ride a two-wheeler. I've also looked at tandem bikes but alot of them seem to be geared towards two adults and I'm not sure she'd fit. Can anyone recommend a trailer bike or tandem that would suit us?

Answer 1

A tandem would be easier to handle.

I have a trailer bike that works well for small kids, but part of the weight limit is associated with the ability to handle your bike with the trailer attached.  If your trailer is too heavy, it will begin to drive you rather than the other way around.

If you shop around, you will find a suitable tandem.  Most tandems can be fitted with a kid kit.  Soon enough your daughter will fit onto an adult small stoker seat.

FWIW, they also make a tandem where the person in back does the steering.  The kid can sit in front so they don't have to stare at your back while riding.

I also just checked the craigslist in my hometown and there are 3 tandems available, one with a child stoker kit installed.

Answer 2

this is a bicycle trailer that has a 250 pound weight limit

http://www.cycletote.com/adult_trailer.h...

and you can even add automatic braking for and extra $300