Tips for Biking with Baby
Riding a bicycle for transportation around town is a natural way to cut down on fossil fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions. Besides, it’s fun! Most little children will love being included on these trips. Baby can be accommodated through several means, such as a bicycle baby seat or a bike trailer. The main consideration, however, is to be sure you are safe at all times.
As tempting as it may be to put your littlest infant in a front pack and hop on your bike, this is not considered to be a good idea. Children need to be at least a year old before riding with you, because before that age, they do not have the strength in their necks to be able to wear even a lightweight helmet. Helmets are an absolutely essential part of bicycle safety, considering that they can reduce chances for a head injury by 80 per cent.
Trailers can be purchased that will carry more than one child, if need be. The total weight of the children is the factor to consider, which should usually be less than one hundred pounds. Make sure the trailer you choose has been approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), an organization that maintains safety standards for various products.
Child bike seats have been around for decades. In most instances, they can accommodate a child of up to forty pounds. It can take a little while to get used to riding with a child on the back of your bike, because the extra weight will change your center of gravity, thus affecting the way you balance. If you’re in good shape and used to carrying groceries and gear on your bike, it will help.
Visibility is always an important factor in bicycle safety, and you won’t want to take any chances when you’re carrying that most precious cargo. Consider installing an orange flag, and wear clothing in a bright fluorescent color. Make sure you ride on streets that don’t get much traffic, and forgo taking your child with you on your bike if the weather is bad, since this increases chances of an accident.
Part of being a good parent is balancing green choices with safe choices. It’s not worth compromising the safety of your child just to save a few ounces of gasoline. By following a few simple safety rules, though, you can include your toddlers when you travel by bike, and enjoy the fresh air and scenery together as a family.
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