Did you know baby bike seats
are not suitable for infants younger than
12 months?

Home > Car seat safety > Baby bike seats

 

Bike seats are used to carry young children safely when you are out cycling. These seats can be fitted behind the rider, on the crossbar or ahead of the handlebars facing the front.

They are adviced to be used for children from 18 months to 4 years.

Bike seats are not suitable for infants under one year old according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children are just learning to sit unsupported at about 9 months of age.

Before the age of one infants have not developed sufficient bone mass and muscle tone to enable them to sit unsupported with their backs straight for a prolonged time.

In some states it is even illigal to take a child under one on in a baby bike seat on a bicycle. That's why you probably won't be able to find a baby helmet to fit a child that young.

At the age of one the neck development has come to a point where they can tolerate the weight of a helmet.

Having trouble finding a helmet for your child. Check out the Bell Toddler Bellino Bike Helmet

 

The most difficult aspect for a parent is usually to get the child in and out of the seat and at the same time maintaining the balance and keep the bike upright. This may take a bit of practicing, before you will be able to ride safely with your child.

Baby bike seat safety tips

• Always first straddle the bike and then put the child in the bike seat. Most accidents with baby bike seats happen because the bike is left supported by only a kickstand or leaning against something.
  
  
• Children riding in a bike seat should be at least one year old and be able to sit up by themselves while wearing a baby helmet. If the baby's neck is not strong enough your child shouldn't be in a bicycle child carrier.
  
  
• Any object in your child's hands can become a falling hazard when it drops into your front wheel.
  
  
• Check if al bolts are secured.
  
  
• Never use a seat without footrests to act as a shield between the child's feet and the wheel. Most injuries happen when the children's feet get caught in the spokes of the wheel.
  
  
• Make sure your carrier meets that ASTM child carrier standard.

 

 

Riding safety tips for you and your baby

• Stay on smooth trails with your child.
  
  
• Dress your child well if it is cold weather.
  
  
• When the weather is hot and sunny use sunscreen.
  
  
• Always check if your brakes function well.
  
  
• Slow down gradually, well in advance of junctions. The extra weight means stopping takes longer.
  
  
• Always use the harness. Children often fall asleep in cycle seats, and might slip out if unrestrained.

 

A new type of child seat is WeeRide LTD Kangaroo Child Bike Seat . This child carrier has the advantage of better balance due to the child's position being much closer to the center of gravity. The weeride mounts on almost any bicycle between the front handlebar tube and the seat post.

Back to Car Seat Safety Page.

 

 

Regardless of age or where your child is transported (front or back) They always need to ware a helmet. Make sure the helmet meets the recognized safety standards and fits well.

 

 

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Baby Bike Seats