Choosing Bikes For The Whole Family

Never before have there been so many options for families wishing to get out together on their bicycles. As each family is a unique entity and has needs of their own, there is no one way of biking that is best. Consider the best option for your family!

Small children will need to be connected to your bike in some way. There are a number of options available: trailer, trailer bike, tandem, or coupler to attach your child's bike behind yours.

A trailer is the perfect option for many families. Your child can ride comfortably and sleep when he wants. He can play with toys in the safety of his little home. It is also easy to protect children from the elements in a trailer and you can stash extra gear in there with him.

Trailers aren't perfect though; there are some disadvantages. Many parents find their children sleep all day in the trailer and then want to play all night when the parents need to sleep. Also, some children can get frustrated that they are not part of the team helping to propel the bike.

A trailer bike is another option to consider. A one-wheeled contraption that hooks to the back of your bike, a trailer bike allows a child to pedal and help out with the workload, yet he can rest when he wants. Higher end trailer bikes come with gears, which is recommended if you plan to cycle up any hills. Your child will be very proud of what he's done when you get to the top of the hill!

A disadvantage of a trailer bike is that there is no easy way too protect your child from the elements. Even with proper rain gear, hands and feet are vulnerable if weather turns bad. Also, kids tend to be lulled to sleep with the gentle rocking of the bike, which can lead to a dangerous situation.

A tandem is a great option for touring with children. Many of the advantages of the tandem are the same as for the trailer bike - being part of a team and being able to help out with the workload. But the tandem also has the advantage of pedaling in sync. As the pedals are hooked together, a child on the back of a tandem learns to pedal with a normal cadence and is more closely connected to the captain. You can carry on a conversation easier due to sheer proximity. In addition, the tandem is more rigid than a trailer bike so is a more efficient machine.

Tandems, however, are expensive. They are dedicated tandems and you will not be able to simply jump on to run errands alone. They are also very oversized so are difficult to fly with. If you plan to travel a lot with your tandem, it will be worth the extra money for S & S couplers so you can break the bike down into small pieces.

Another option that works for biking with small children is a connector that connects a child's bike on to the back of yours. In this manner, the child can ride alone when conditions are good and can be easily reconnected to you when in traffic. The two connectors currently available are the Trail Gator Tow Bar and the Follow Me coupler.

When your child gets older, a single bike of her own becomes an option. You will have to consider all aspects of your child before making the decision to put her on her own bike - physical strength, coordination, ability to be aware of surroundings, experience in traffic, and maturity. If your child can handle her own bike, it can lead to a greater sense of independence and satisfaction; if she can't it can lead to disaster.

Many families have kids of varying ages, so find a combination of some sort works best for them. A tandem with a trailer works well, and the trailer bike companies are now making them so a trailer can be attached behind. It makes a long train, but allows a family to get out on tour - which is a good thing!