They thought they’d solved the challenge of carrying kids by bicycle in 1951 by simply transforming a pram into a sidecar. While that particular idea didn’t take off, bicycles remain one of the most joyful ways of travelling with your children.
When it comes to carrying kids by bicycle, especially on the school run, there are various options to choose between.
By far the simplest and most popular is the child seat fitted onto the rear rack, but on a standard bike it is not possible to carry more than one child in this way.
Sales of 3-seat electric bicycles are soaring in Japan as school-run drivers in congested cities like Tokyo swap their cars for bikes such as the Angelino.
Bicycles designed to carry two children in safety are common in mainland Europe, but were not legal for sale in Japan until July 2009. Since the ban was lifted, over 100,000 3-seater bicycles have been sold.
Such is the level of demand that Japanese bicycle maker Maruishi Cycle has already sold 30,000 of its 3-seat bicycles, with a month-long waiting list at some of its Tokyo stores.
Carrying kids by bicycle: Electric 3-seaters
The electric-assist, 3-seater bicycles cost 136,000 Yen (around £1,000) and have been designed to carry two child seats with minimal effect on handling and performance. The front carrier might appear precarious to British cyclists, but it is positioned so as to stop the handlebars from wobbling.
The bike features a sturdy stand to ensure it remains stable when loading young passengers, and the handlebars can be locked in position for the same reason.
For riders concerned by the prospect pedalling long distances with the additional weight of two children, the bikes come with a choice of electric motors. Forgetful cyclists are catered for, too; the bicycle’s tyres feature pressure indicators that let the rider know if they need topping up with air.
A bicycle sidecar may not be quite as practical as a conventional child seat, but it’s a more adventurous way of passing the cycling bug to the next generation.
Spanners at the ready – this bicycle sidecar is DIY
There is a bewildering array of child seats, ‘tag-alongs’ and trailers aimed at helping families cycle together, but none is as stylish looking as the bicycle sidecar designed by Steve Bodiley.
The Bicycle Sidecar allows a toddler to accompany an adult cycle on long rides while leaving the bike free to carry luggage or a rear-mounted child seat.
Another advantage the sidecar has over other designs is that it allows the adult rider to keep an eye on the child and, just as importantly, the child an uninterrupted view of the path ahead.
DIY plans on how to build the sidecar from steel tubing and plywood are available for free at Steve Bodily’s fascinating website steves-workshop.co.uk
Imagine school run congestion, and the associated road danger, replaced with a procession of sturdy bikes – their cargo boxes brimming with kids.
Carrying kids by bicycle
Cargo trikes are being bought in increasing numbers in London, not only by businesses looking for an environmentally-friendly way of bypassing the congestion charge, but by parents looking for a practical and fun alternative to the car for the school run.
In Denmark many families with two or more kids, have turned to the Christiania. There is a choice between a standard-sized model, which can fit two to three kids, and a longer version, which can comfortably seat four to six. The box where the kids sit is in front, so everyone gets a good view, while the rider can keep an eye on the kids.
The Madsen Cargo Bike is like any other bicycle features an extended frame equipped with a tub large sturdy enough to carry 250 kg. The advantage it has over the trikes is that it’s easier to store and park if space is tight. Although, it’s a practical and cost-effective way of carrying kids by bicycle, the Madsen has no distributor in Britain.
The ethical choice
The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.
The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.
Ben Murton
Great report… but such a shame that you don’t have a sensible option for insuring cycle trailers other than making it an accessory on both parent bike policies. Why don’t you consider offering insurance on them as separate “bikes”?
Peter Harvey
Don’t forget tandems and triplets. We have a child-back tandem that’s so popular with our three children they’re demanding replacing it with a full-size now they’ve outgrown it.
Jim Clark
In the late 60s when we lived in a remote part of Scotland, we had an old gents bike with a small saddle and footrests fitted to the crossbar and frame. both of us used to use this to take our youngest child to the village shop a few miles away the child sitting on the saddle between our arms and holding the middle of the handle bars. This was a good solid machine with Sturmey Archer three speed and rod brakes. I rescued it from a barn, paying the owner £1 for it.
Anna Hayball
We moved through a steady stream of accessories: a two-seater trailer; one in a bike seat, the other in the trailer and then the eldest moved from the trailer on to her bike, connected via a follow-me which connects to the rear wheel hub meaning I could still use the bike seat until my son took his turn on the follow-me. In hindsight, I should have just invested in a cargo bike.
kamikaze trio
Quite happily transport a 3 and 7 year old on an On One Inbred with one child seat clamped to the head tube (OK baby orion) and the bigger one on a standard rear seat fixed to the seat tube. Probably getting to the weight limit now but can’t praise the front mounted Orion enough, bike is so well balanced that I’ve been round the blue at the Forest of Dean without mishap when the older one was 2.
No need for anything fancy.