Biking with Babies

Each Spring/Summer I get the same questions about biking with babies over and over again. I’ve seen other families approach this differently than I do, but this is our take on family biking!

When Can I Bike With My Baby?

Alright, lets dive in, shall we? This is the most common question I get about family biking. I didn’t take Huck out to bike with us until he was about 14 months old, but I remember being SO ANXIOUS to take Tatum out for her first bike ride with the family. Biking with the chariot had become an evening routine for our family before she was born, and we wanted to bring her along! So I asked Google. And I found all kinds of answers. People biking with an infant by securing a carseat into the chariot. People saying they felt comfortable biking with their 6 month old who had strong neck control. People who SWEAR by waiting for the 12 month mark.

Instead of feeling unsure, I consulted with our pediatrician, and decided to take Tatum out for her first bike ride around 10 months old. Although she had strong neck control when she was younger, I wanted to give her more time to be able to comfortably support a helmet when riding in a trailer. Around 10 months, she was standing on her own, and I felt like she was ready. If your kiddo is under 12 months, just ask your pediatrician if they think your little one is ready based on their development.

Where Can I Find A Small Helmet?

Even though we stick to bike paths with the chariot, we always put helmets on our children. When searching for helmets, pay close attention to the sizing charts for head circumference. An XS helmet will vary in size from brand to brand. We also paid attention to helmet weight, wanting to find something that would not cause our daughter’s neck to strain more than necessary. When we bought Tatum’s first helmet, this one from Schwinn offered the smallest circumference we could find, and was quite lightweight. After being in the garage during the winter, we noticed the straps from the helmet had separated from the helmet. This was concerning, and I don’t recommend it. This one from Joovy is much better! 

Trailer or Bike Seat?

This really comes down to preference and the length of rides you want to do! For quick rides around town (less than an hour), I really love using this bike seat from Thule. The kids LOVE riding in the seat. I really love the idea of a front riding seat, and have heard families RAVE about it. We haven’t tried it yet- but I know Tatum would love it. Our family opted for a rear seat so the kids could use it longer. The front seats max out at 3yrs old, where the rear seats can used up until 6 years old. The bike seat lives on my commuter bike, and gets pulled out for rides around the neighborhood, go to the pond, or head out for a quick grocery run.

For rides longer than hour? The chariot is KING. The suspension on this model is AMAZING. Remember, even though you aren’t racing with the trailer, you definitely pick up some speed from time to time on the bike. Your babies are back there- you want to know that the trailer is safe after miles of dusty roads or sitting in the garage. The suspension really helps with infants having a smoother ride. To be fair, the chariot is not a cheap item (remember, you have to also get the bike trailer kit). But it’s our single piece of gear that gets used the most year round (we ski with it in the winter), and we’ve been using this set up the last 5 years. In my opinion, it is one of the most worthwhile investment pieces for active families. If it’s not in your budget this year, I’d suggest shopping for a used chariot (in good condition), rather than a cheap knock off one from Walmart. These trailers are built to last, and you want to be able to trust that nothing will come loose as you are pulling your babies behind your bike. Several of my friends have been able to find used bike trailers in great condition- it can be done!

My favorite part about biking as a family with the chariot is buckling the kids up, handing them their water bottles and some snacks, and getting to enjoy sunset while I have one of those REAL conversations with my husband. It’s a win for the whole family!