why doesn't anybody use child seats on bikes anymore?

[6enny]

When I was a kid, me and my siblings would ride behind a parent in a kid seat. Now all I see are little carts being pulled behind the bike. Is that the only option anymore? Did somebody decide that kid seats are dangerous?

[loveisnoise]

When I was a kid, me and my siblings would ride behind a parent in a kid seat. Now all I see are little carts being pulled behind the bike. Is that the only option anymore? Did somebody decide that kid seats are dangerous?

Child seats for bikes are equivalent to child abuse, and have been showed to be directly correlated with sexual abuse in the home.

[macdaire]

We use the cart when we are biking with more than one child. We also have a seat for the toddler and a bike attachement for the older child.

I see plenty of families just using a seat but obviously it only works if you have only one kid

[Bob_Head]

When I was a kid, me and my siblings would ride behind a parent in a kid seat. Now all I see are little carts being pulled behind the bike. Is that the only option anymore? Did somebody decide that kid seats are dangerous?

If you want to offer your child a stellar view (and whiff) of your sweaty arse, fear not....child seats are still available.

One of the reasons they're not so popular anymore is that carriers are more stable....the weight of a kid in a seat shifts the center of gravity upwards, and a a kid in a seat doesn't really lean into a corner as needed. Trailers, OTOH, distribute the weight through their wheels, and the attach point on the bike. Usually the attach point on the bike is near the rear hub, or low on the seatpost, so it doesn't raise the center of gravity much, if at all. Another issue is how often you ride, as opposed to riding with your kid. Child seats make getting on and off the bike a PITA. With that big seat there, you can't just throw a leg over the saddle. So, when you're out without your child, that seat is still going to effect your ride. Most trailers attach by a simple quick release system, so when you want to ride without your child you don't have to haul the extra baggage. If you do want a traditional seat, Topeak makes a carrier/seat combo that allows you to quickly and easily pop off the seat, leaving you with a simple, sturdy rack. Finally, there is a safety advantage to trailers....in a crash, a kid in a seat is going to fall about three feet. In a trailer, there isn't as far to fall, and the better designed mounts tend to keep the trailer from tipping over in a crash.

Child seats aren't as available now, though, but that's a function of reduced demand. Most people who have tried both vastly prefer the trailers.

[OffenseTaken]

The carts are a huge logistical improvement, and as Bob_Head points out, a kid (or dog or Trader Joe's bag, etc.) is closer to the ground, which is a better place to be if the bike slams into something and tips over.

What I miss are those steel pegs that we used to stick onto the rear axle, so you could stand up on them and hitch a ride. Those were loads of fun, until your shoe got in the way of the rear wheel spokes. We were so carefree and un-litigious back then...

[Bob_Head]

What I miss are those steel pegs that we used to stick onto the rear axle, so you could stand up on them and hitch a ride. Those were loads of fun, until your shoe got in the way of the rear wheel spokes. We were so carefree and un-litigious back then...

Dude....you can still get pegs. How ya gonna grind without pegs? DAN'S COMP - Bmx Bikes, Bmx Parts, Bmx Clothing, Bmx Shoes and Bmx Accessories!

[OffenseTaken]

Damn, son! That is the best news I've heard all day.

Now I know for sure that my family won't need a car! Unless or until we get a third child, that is.

Dude....you can still get pegs. How ya gonna grind without pegs? DAN'S COMP - Bmx Bikes, Bmx Parts, Bmx Clothing, Bmx Shoes and Bmx Accessories!

[billy ross]

We use the cart when we are biking with more than one child. We also have a seat for the toddler and a bike attachement for the older child.

I see plenty of families just using a seat but obviously it only works if you have only one kid

One kid who can't ride. I teach my kids to ride at 3-4 years old. We've generally only had one kid at a time who can't ride, since we spread them out. I was just thinking this week about when and how I'll teach the 2 yo to ride.

We've never had a bike seat because we still ride the mountain bikes we bought when we were single. It was easy enough to buy a trailer, and when one of us is riding without the baby the trailer stays home.

[LupulinFairy]

Lotsa people use child seats on bikes, myself included. Hang around one of the Center City bike lanes during daycare drop-off hours and you'll see plenty. The seat does alter the balance of the bike but it only took me a few days to get used to it.

Trailers are another good option but they have their issues:
1. Harder to lock up outside or take into the office.
2. Kid is farther away from you and harder to see, which is a problem if his ability to escape from seat belts develops faster than his common sense.
3. Also not great if your kid is the type who gets upset when left alone/ignored for 15 minutes.
4. Not sure if this is realistic but I'd worry about drivers not seeing the trailer and running it over!

Personally I like having my child in the seat. We have conversations about the things we see on our daily commute, I try to teach some basic traffic safety, or I just listen to those charming little toddler songs. I hope someday these morning journeys will become cherished childhood memories.