A cycling holiday is a great way to stay active and is something you can do with the kids in tow – perhaps literally! With the right gear and a sensible approach a family bike vacation can be enjoyed by children of any age – even the baby.

Cycling with children requires some extra equipment and this article is intended to help you decide what is suitable for your family. If you are already a regular cyclist you might consider buying, if not most of the companies offering biking holidays in our 'child/family friendly' section also hire it out by the day or week.

Family cycling holidays with the kids

Cycling holidays with younger children
On the bike – child seats
Child bike seats – advantages
Child bike seats – disadvantages
Child bike seats – ages
On the bike – child carriers, backpacks and baby slings

Behind the bike – child bike trailers
Child bike trailers – advantages
Child bike trailers – disadvantages
Child bike trailers – ages

Cycling holidays with older children
Trailer bikes
Tandems and adapters

Safety

Cycling holidays with younger children
The first choice is between taking them on the bike or towing them behind. 

On the bike – child seats
Today's colourful, rigid, moulded plastic seats are probably what the majority of people first think of when considering taking the kids on the bike. Some can be fairly minimalist but the better ones come with headrest, feet supports and even handlebars for the child to hang onto. Child seats are most commonly mounted on the rear of the bike, but front mounted seats are also available.  

Child bike seats – advantages
1) Probably the cheapest way to go, but if buying go for the best you can afford.
2) In the UK child bike seats are more easily available than trailers as they are obtainable in even non-specialist bike shops.
3) Lighter than a trailer.
4) Has a smaller 'footprint' than a bike with trailer, important if you are planning to use it in areas with restricted access or on narrow country lanes.
5) The adult and child are closer than on a trailer, making communication easier. Some parents find this a particular advantage with front mounted seats.  

Child bike seats – disadvantages
1) Child bike seats alter the centre of gravity and make the bike less stable. For this reason they are not a good idea if you are an inexperienced rider, however if you are used to cycling and perhaps touring with panniers then this will be much less of a problem.
2) It's not easy to keep the bike upright when mounting, dismounting and when getting the child in and out of the seat.
3) Potential for dropped objects, clothing, feet etc. getting caught in the mechanism of the bike.
4) Front mounted seats make peddling more awkward, particularly up hills, and are usually only recommended for short journeys.
5) Front mounted seats offer less protection than rear ones and some designs don't include harnesses.   

Child bike seats – ages
Suitable for children from about the age they can support the weight of their head with a helmet on, till they are too heavy, or tall, for the seat. This will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and according to the adults own strength but is typically anything from 15 to 22 kgs.  

On the bike – child carriers, backpacks and baby slings
People do use all of these on bikes, but they are not recommended. They not only shift the centre of gravity yet higher, they also offer little or no protection to the child in the event of a fall – a fall that is likely to end up with the adult landing on the child! As for baby slings – there is really no safe way to carry a small baby other than strapped into a child car seat, strapped inside a bike trailer (see below). 

Behind the bike – child bike trailers
These are two wheeled trailers that attach to the back of an adult bike. The child is strapped into a seat inside a metal framework. The trailer usually comes with weather covers and a safety/warning flag. Most will take two children and some have luggage space behind. Child bike trailers are now becoming more available in the UK and many of the companies listed in our 'child/family friendly' section sell trailers as well as hire them out. 

Child bike trailers – advantages
1) Much more stable than a child bike seat and most will allow the adult bike to be laid on its side without tipping the trailer.
2) Can carry heavier loads, often two children, and even the shopping!
3) The kids can sit inside with snack, drinks, toys and other distractions while mum and dad get on with the peddling.
4) The lower position is a safety advantage as the child has less distance to fall.
5) Relatively weather proof.
6) More visible to other traffic than a child seat, most bike trailers are brightly coloured and most come with a safety/warning flag. 

Child bike trailers – disadvantages
1) If buying, more expensive than a child seat, but trailers do have a high re-sale value.
2) They are heavier than a child seat, particularly uphill with two children inside!
3) They have a larger 'footprint' than a bike on its own, so you will need to pick your route carefully. Even designated cycle routes often have obstacles on them that make a bike and trailer less easy to manoeuvre. If you are hiring, the hire company should be able to advise on good local routes.
4) If you are cycling in urban areas the lower position means that the child is closer to car exhaust fumes.
5) The child is a greater distance from the adult, making communication more difficult. A mirror mounted on the handlebar will help you keep an eye on what is happening in the trailer. 

Child bike trailers – ages
Child bike trailers are suitable for children up to about 5 or 6 years of age, the main limiting factors are the size and contentment of the child. A trailer is the only reasonably safe way to carry a small baby. They should be strapped into a car baby seat, which is then strapped into the trailer. Be aware that this will not allow room for a second child in the trailer. 

Cycling holidays with older children
As they get older children will become restless strapped into a bike seat or trailer for long periods, they are also likely to have learnt to ride their own bike and are often keen to do some peddling themselves. If you don't want to be restricted to the sort of short ride your six year-old can manage on their kiddie bike then you will need to look at trailer bikes, tandems and adapters.  

Trailer bikes
This is like a kids bike without the front wheel and attaches to the back of an adult bike. Unlike a tandem, both halves are peddled independently so the child has the choice of being towed along by mum or dad, helping with the peddling or, if they are feeling very energetic, pushing the adult along while they take a rest! A trailer bike is great way of helping a child develop road sense without the distraction of dealing with breaking and steering, both of which remain under the adults control. 

Tandems and adapters
As an alternative to the trailer bike you could try a tandem. Tandems with an adult front and kiddie back are available, or an adult tandem can be converted by adding crank shortners. The disadvantages are that both riders have to pedal together, so for this reason it may be better for older children.  

Safety
Cycle helmets are essentials for all the family, from the baby in the child seat and trailer to the adult setting a good example. Whatever age the wearer, ensure the helmet is purpose designed for that age group, fits well and is worn properly. Ensure they reach adequate safety standards, most countries have their own recommendations and some are higher than others, in the UK look for European or US standards as they are higher than the current British ones. Kids will be keener to wear helmets if they relate to the current kids craze, so get that 'Barbie' or 'Pokemon' cycle helmet even if you canÕt stand the craze yourself!

Be seen: Brightly coloured clothing is important and clothing with reflective panels and strips even better, reflective strips can also be added to panniers and any other luggage carried to make you even more visible. Fluorescent 'bibs' with reflective panels are available and can be worn over other clothing. Training shoes are fashion footwear these days so children will not need much encouragement to wear 'trainers' with reflective panels.

Warning flags are fairly standard on cycle trailers, another good idea are plastic 'arms' with reflectors on the ends, designed to encourage car drivers to allow you plenty of width.

Lights: If you are planning to ride after dusk lights will be required by law. But they are a good idea in poor weather too and it's a good idea to carry them with you in any case as you may find yourself caught out later than intended.

Clothing: Remember that your child is going to be sitting still and not generating the heat that you will as you pedal, be sure to dress them warmly enough and have waterproofs available if it rains. If, on the other hand, the weather is hot and sunny remember sunscreen and sunglasses and remember to carry plenty of water for both them and you. Whatever they wear ensure nothing is likely to get caught in spokes or other moving parts of the bike or trailer, tie laces well, tuck in scarves etc.

Finally, if your child is riding in a child seat or trailer, remember to strap them in!

© travel-quest.co.uk

Links:
Take a look at our child/family friendly section for companies who can oragnise cycling holidays and bike hire for you and your family. Also take a look at the travel-quest cycling links.