How to bike with kids... more options than you ever imagined!

I used to think the only ways to bike with kids were bike mounted seats and trailers. Things have changed. The options are plenty and unless you are an impulsive buyer it is easy to get caught up researching new ways to bike with kids, which how I ended up writing this post.   I don't have personal experience with any of these options except a bike trailer but I have researched and read reviews and researched more.   So now it is time to share some of what I have learned.  (Also in the course of writing this I came upon a very similar post by ThisMomBikes so please read that too!)

Here we go,  how to bike with kids:

Thule Yepp Mini $179 USD 

Child Seat mounted on Bike. Possibly the cheapest way to go but definitely recommended for experienced cyclists. Toddlers seem to be the prime age for this option. There are front mounted seats for the smaller toddlers (Yepp mini, iBert, Bobike mini) and for when the kids get a little older rear-mounted seats such as Yepp Maxi. 

iBert $109 USD

Radpower Radwagon Longtail bike ($1799 CAD)  with two Yepp Maxis (Each $240 CAD)

Mac-Ride

Mac Ride $200 USD

There's also the Mac-Ride which consists of a small seat and foot-straps.

Trailer. If you already have a bike you love to ride or if you want something modular the trailer is a great option for young kids from 0 to 6. Trailers can hold 1–2 kids and often some groceries too. They are great for cold climates because of weather protection.  Most brands can can be converted into strollers. Look for something with suspension and consider the stroller conversions if you need them. The Thule and Burley models have optional ski conversions too!  Our family has The Burley D’Lite. Pricier than department store models but it our family has been using this in-place of a car for two years and it is still in great condition.  Burley also offer plus sized tires which would help get through snow and loose gravel. We have not splurged for these yet though and have made it through two Canadian winters just fine. 

Longtail Cargo Bike. Such as Xtracycle, Yuba, or Madsen.   

Useful for carrying a few kids and some groceries as well.  One of the main advantages I see is the ability of the bike to tow the kids bikes if they get tired of riding.  Electric options reduce the effort necessary to pull the load uphill.  A great option for most of the time but kids are behind you and  they aren't protected from the weather.  I think the best winter longtail option would be a Surley Big Fat Dummy or Salsa Backborrow with some ski goggles and balaclava for the kids.  The Madsen is a more like a bakfiet (see below) in the back.  So it rides like a longtail but has a raincover to keep kids warm and dry.  Although the Madsen can fit four kids, the box doesn't seem to have any more space than our trailer.  So it may not be a great solution for older kids. The Madsen will be introducing an electric assist version soon (2018..)

xtracycle

Longtail bike towing the kids bikes.

Surley Big Fat Dummy (image from fat-bike.com)

Madsen

Front Loading Cargo, aka Long John, Box Bike, Bakfiets. 

These are very common in Europe and slowly the European brands are being offered in North America.  There are also some North American Companies joining in.  They are available in 3-wheel trike versions or two-wheel versions.  With the exception of Bunch Bike (formally Urban Tribe) and the DIY option Argo Cargo kit, these are all very expensive. Dutch versions (sold in Canada at Urkai) include Bebboe, Bakfiets, Bertus and Nihola.  These normally have wooden boxes The sleekest and fastest looking bakfiets  include Urban Arrow, Reisse & Muller, Larry vs. Harry Bullitt.  For more on Longtails vs Bakfiets check out This Mom Bikes.

Bunch Bikes 

Argo Cargo bike kit. Turns any bike into a cargo bike.

Bakfiets (image from kidsandfamilycycles.co.uk)

To get a daily fix of cargo bikes of all types follow Cargobikes in the City on Instagram 

Burley Piccolo (image from http://www.bikepacking.com/gear/burley-piccolo-review/)

Tag-alongs /Trailer Cycles.  

As kids get older they may be doing more biking on their own but you may want them attached to your bike for longer rides or in traffic.  One solution is the tag-along. Essentially a one-wheeled cycle that attaches to the adult bike.  By far the brand that is most highly recommended (and also most expensive) is the Burley Piccolo.  The piccolo is capable of going anyway and attaches a rack for greater stability.   For more on the piccolo see this review on bikpacking.com.  I just learned of a similar trailer cycle called the Roland Add+Bike. There is also the Adams Trail-a-Bike.  Wee-hoo ibike is a great idea and incorporates some weather protection but the recumbent position puts the kids too low to the ground in my opinion.

WeeHoo (image from https://rideweehoo.com )

 To use your child's existing bike the Follow-Me tandem is the top product on the market.  Like the piccolo it is pricey but has great reviews. My only issue with the Follow-Me is it can't be attached to a fat bike :(

FollowMe Tandem. Image from Trucavelo

Family Tandem 

Traditional tandems put the non-steering riding or stoker in the back but family tandems such as Onderwater Family Tandem and  Kidztandem put the stoker in this case a child in front of the parent. 

Onderwater Family Tandem

The main disadvantage here is that the bike is long! Also not sure how it would be in the winter or hilly terrain.

Circe Helis with Cargo Adaptor

In a category of its own and very enticing is the Circe Helios. This is a tandem like the Onderwater but the child seats can be removed and a cargo box put in place instead and it is separable (comes apart) for travel.  

Circe Helios with Triplet adaptor

Full Size Tandem.  Co-motion makes tandems that have seats which adjust to accommodate children.   There are also mountain bike and fat bike tandems - which is something to consider for the winter.  Again with tandems storage and parking can be an issue. Like cargo bikes they are long.

The  Final way to bike with kids is....

Get kids on their own bike.  

Once your kids start walking they'll want to be biking too.  Two-Wheeling Tots covers everything you need to know about bike fit for kids and has great reviews.  Kid focused brands such as Isla, Woom, Frog, Cleary, and Scott are from what I've heard worth the money.  The Prevolo Zulu model  looks like an awesome mountain bike for young kids. They also have a less expensive but still impressive Alpha model.  The extra expense is probably worth it for those who live in areas with high re-sale value for kids bikes.   This isn't really the case for us, so our kids have some bikes that we believe are good enough. These include a Nakumura Balance bike,  Miele Pedal Bikes in 14 and 16 inch and a 20" Liv bike.   In terms of teaching kids to ride, I highly recommend starting them on a balance bike!

More Cool Bikes:

Bike Friday makes folding or cargo bikes and tandem bikes.


More Information:

MomentumMag has an awesome Guide to Cargo Bikes.

Totcycle Family Biking Ages and Stages. 

And Two Wheeling Tots is the place to go to for full reviews and comparisons of Children's Bikes, bike seats, trailers, and trailer cycles. Unfortunately they don't have reviews of cargo bikes or trailers.

For a comparsion of front-loading cargo bike sizes: http://cargobikemag.com/cargo-space-the-overview/

Facebook Groups to join:
Cargo Bike Republic
I love my Big (and fat) Dummy