As much as you would love to take your kid along with you on your cycling trips, the truth is that having kids can put a pause on your cycling escapades.
No matter how much you love your kids, you may still miss your weekend cycling trips. We are here to tell you that you do not have to miss it altogether. You can take your kids on biking runs with you. How? Use a bike trailer that can be hitched to your bike. Your kids can sit comfily in the trailer while you ferry them along on your biking trip. There are many numerous benefits of using a bike trailer.
Staying fit in the easiest way
Finding spare time for physical activities is a rarity when you have kids. With bike trailers, you can immediately start getting back to shape without missing on quality family time. The added weight of your kids and their presence will act as an incentive to complete the endurance training and thus making you fit in no time.
Spend quality time with the kids
Spending quality time with kids is different when you get to spend it outside the boundaries of your home. Kids are at their exuberant best when outside. While they may still be a few months away to use a balance bike, you can still take them cycling with you. Leave it to them to bond with a greater level of excitement when you take them cycling with you.
Step out and breathe the fresh air
Travelling between traffic bottlenecks on an ordinary weekend commute with your windows rolled down is no match for taking your kids out with you on a cycle joyride in the neighborhood park. Let your kids feel closer to nature and breathe the clean air for a change.
To help you find the perfect bike trailer, we have listed down a few helpful hinters to help you decide what trailer to buy.
You will be carrying the weight: High-quality bike trailers do not need to be made of steel. Aluminum trailers are both lightweight and strong. Opt for lighter frames which are built using high-quality alloys so that the trailer won’t be as heavy to lug behind like a log of wood. While you may think that your kid weighs just a few pounds of feathers tight now, they will soon grow to weight much more than you can easily manage in your uphill rides. So, look for a lightweight trailer and fasten it to your bike using a torque wrench.
Low center of gravity: Just like tricycles or any other kids’ bikes, the bike trailer should have a low center of gravity so that it doesn’t topples over at the next curb.
Compatibility: Is your trailer compatible with your cycle? While most of trailers may have a universal design, ensure that the one you buy is sturdily built and well-designed. You do not need to forcibly fit the trailer to the cycle. The attachment should not put stress on the joints. Opt for a trailer that has a low-level attachment rather than a seat hitch.
Multi-purpose capabilities: Can your trailer do more than what it is originally intended for, for example, can you convert your trailer into a stroller? A multipurpose trailer with adequate storage and strolling features can be a great help for you in your outings.
Safety: It is the utmost important criterion while buying a bike trailer. Opt for a trailer that has at least 3-point harness to securely fasten the trailer to the back of the bike. Look at the toughness of the build quality. Is the roof of the trailer sturdy enough to withstand a roll over? Does it come equipped with a rollover bar? Is there an adequate padding around the headrest? How adequate are the suspensions – will they provide cushioning on bumpy rides or hurt the kid’s spine? All these small nitty-gritties add up to the most important factor in helping you choose a trailer bike.