There are two main types of baby carriers for your bicycle: bike seats and bike trailers. Although both bike seats and bike trailers work well, there is a fundamental difference between them -- bike trailers are safer. ConsumerReports.org cites the American Academy of Pediatrics, which states that "...a mishap at any speed on a bicycle-mounted seat could cause significant injury to a child."
Bike Seats
Bike seats, which can carry a child between about one and six years old, are mounted either in front of or in back of the cyclist. with the child facing forward. It can be awkward to transport a child this way, since the added weight can throw a rider off balance. It's also trickier to get on and off the seat with a child bike seat either in front or in back of you.
Bike Trailers
Trailers are attached to the rear axle or the frame of your bike. They can carry kids who weight up to 75 lbs. Trailers have a rigid frame and a clear, durable cover. There are safety considerations with bike trailers as well as bike seats. Trailers are low to the ground, making them more difficult for motorists to see. They are also wider than a bike, and can stick out into the roadway. A helmet is a must for a child in either a bike seat or trailer, and a trailer should have a tall, orange flag to alert motorists.
Pedal Bike Trailer
Older toddlers and children can also use a variation on the trailer design -- a pedal bike trailer, which allows kids to pedal, if they choose, independently of mom and dad while out in the fresh air. The Bicycle Trailers website recommends the Weehoo i-Go, an unusual-looking contraption that draws unanimous raves from parents who own it.
Considerations
In the event of an accident, a child would fall about 3 feet from a bike seat, but only about 6 inches from a bike trailer. Plus, some bike trailers are constructed to remain upright if the bike falls over. The child is also more protected in a trailer in the event of a rollover, since he is belted and strapped into an enclosed space. So while there are safety issues with both a bike seat and a bike trailer, the trailer is clearly safer. The Bicycle Trailers website recommends a number of bike trailers, including the Burley D'Lite, Croozere 737 and the models from InStep.
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