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Date: 22 Aug 2007 00:59:36
From:
Subject: commuting with a child
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Hi,
I need some practical advice on commuting. I will be moving to a new
place soon and will start commuting to work about 8 miles each way,
most of it on the Capital Crescent trail in WashDC and a little bit on
the streets of DC. I also have a 5 year old daughter which attends the
kindergarten next door to where I work. I would really want to start
riding my bike (Sirrus Sport) to work, but for that to happen I will
have to take my daughter as a passenger each way.
Has anyone done this kind of commuting before? Would a child trailer
or a half wheeler work better?
Any advice appreciated.
Thanks,
Slava.
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Date: 07 Sep 2007 14:42:49
From: peter
Subject: Re: commuting with a child
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On Aug 21, 5:59 pm, slavarevut...@gmail.com wrote:
> I would really want to start
> riding my bike (Sirrus Sport) to work, but for that to happen I will
> have to take my daughter as a passenger each way.
>
> Has anyone done this kind of commuting before? Would a child trailer
> or a half wheeler work better?
I bicycle commuted with our daughter when she was small. It was about
6 miles to her daycare center and then another couple miles to where I
worked. Until she was 4 I used a childseat on the back of my single
bike. After that I switched to our tandem which I converted to a kid-
back style by clamping a bottom bracket partway down the rear seat
tube. That way she was more involved with the bike ride and seemed to
like the attention we got (and the added pedal power was welcome on
the one significant hill on the route).
So at age 5 I'd be inclined to go with the trail-a-bike option, at
least if your daughter seems agreeable with it.
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Date: 27 Aug 2007 12:26:21
From: Peter Cole
Subject: Re: commuting with a child
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slavarevutchi@gmail.com wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I need some practical advice on commuting. I will be moving to a new
> place soon and will start commuting to work about 8 miles each way,
> most of it on the Capital Crescent trail in WashDC and a little bit on
> the streets of DC. I also have a 5 year old daughter which attends the
> kindergarten next door to where I work. I would really want to start
> riding my bike (Sirrus Sport) to work, but for that to happen I will
> have to take my daughter as a passenger each way.
>
> Has anyone done this kind of commuting before? Would a child trailer
> or a half wheeler work better?
>
> Any advice appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Slava.
>
I have used a trailer bike extensively (1,000's of miles) with a child
from age 4.5 to 9. Worked very well in all conditions, from off road to
urban streets. Best kid-related bike purchase I've ever made. I used an
Adams.
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Date: 26 Aug 2007 23:13:49
From:
Subject: Re: commuting with a child
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Thanks everyone for your replies!
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Date: 23 Aug 2007 06:56:54
From: SMS
Subject: Re: commuting with a child
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slavarevutchi@gmail.com wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I need some practical advice on commuting. I will be moving to a new
> place soon and will start commuting to work about 8 miles each way,
> most of it on the Capital Crescent trail in WashDC and a little bit on
> the streets of DC. I also have a 5 year old daughter which attends the
> kindergarten next door to where I work. I would really want to start
> riding my bike (Sirrus Sport) to work, but for that to happen I will
> have to take my daughter as a passenger each way.
>
> Has anyone done this kind of commuting before? Would a child trailer
> or a half wheeler work better?
I'd go with a Burley Piccolo. You'll have to buy it used on craigslist
or eBay or equivalent, as Burley doesn't make them anymore. Good luck,
they are in very high demand. I bought (and sold) mine on craigslist,
and didn't lose anything after seven years (well other than inflation).
This one is similar
"http://www.bikesandtrailers.com/trailer-bikes/roland_add_bike.html" but
avoid the ones that mount to the seat post.
A tandem with a child stoker kit is another option, but Burley
discontinued the child stoker kits as well, so you'd have to find
someone selling either the kit alone, or a complete tandem with the kit
installed.
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Date: 22 Aug 2007 22:11:29
From:
Subject: Re: commuting with a child
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On Aug 22, 4:23 pm, D_Frumiou...@ndersnat.ch wrote:
> slavarevut...@gmail.com wrote:
> > I need some practical advice on commuting. I will be moving to a new
> > place soon and will start commuting to work about 8 miles each way,
> > most of it on the Capital Crescent trail in WashDC and a little bit on
> > the streets of DC. I also have a 5 year old daughter which attends the
> > kindergarten next door to where I work. I would really want to start
> > riding my bike (Sirrus Sport) to work, but for that to happen I will
> > have to take my daughter as a passenger each way.
> > Has anyone done this kind of commuting before? Would a child trailer
> > or a half wheeler work better?
>
> I'm generally a trailer advocate. I think they're better than panniers
> for cargo, and best for hauling SMALL children. But your child is almost
> too big for a trailer now, and will be growing. I think the half wheeler
> is probably better in your case.
> Contrats on raising her without a car addiction, BTW.
>
> Bill
>
> __o
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Date: 22 Aug 2007 20:23:33
From:
Subject: Re: commuting with a child
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slavarevutchi@gmail.com wrote:
> I need some practical advice on commuting. I will be moving to a new
> place soon and will start commuting to work about 8 miles each way,
> most of it on the Capital Crescent trail in WashDC and a little bit on
> the streets of DC. I also have a 5 year old daughter which attends the
> kindergarten next door to where I work. I would really want to start
> riding my bike (Sirrus Sport) to work, but for that to happen I will
> have to take my daughter as a passenger each way.
> Has anyone done this kind of commuting before? Would a child trailer
> or a half wheeler work better?
I'm generally a trailer advocate. I think they're better than panniers
for cargo, and best for hauling SMALL children. But your child is almost
too big for a trailer now, and will be growing. I think the half wheeler
is probably better in your case.
Contrats on raising her without a car addiction, BTW.
Bill
__o
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Date: 22 Aug 2007 11:03:28
From: joseph.santaniello@gmail.com
Subject: Re: commuting with a child
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On Aug 22, 2:59 am, slavarevut...@gmail.com wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I need some practical advice on commuting. I will be moving to a new
> place soon and will start commuting to work about 8 miles each way,
> most of it on the Capital Crescent trail in WashDC and a little bit on
> the streets of DC. I also have a 5 year old daughter which attends the
> kindergarten next door to where I work. I would really want to start
> riding my bike (Sirrus Sport) to work, but for that to happen I will
> have to take my daughter as a passenger each way.
>
> Has anyone done this kind of commuting before? Would a child trailer
> or a half wheeler work better?
>
> Any advice appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Slava.
I have used a trailer a bit which is quite nice in my rural setting,
but IMO too unweildy for any urban use with precious cargo. I'd go for
the wheeler. I grew up in NYC and was a bike messenger for a while so
I am not uncomfortable in city traffic, it's just that the kid
trailers are too wide.
Joseph
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Date: 21 Aug 2007 21:57:26
From: Zoot Katz
Subject: Re: commuting with a child
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On Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:59:36 -0000, slavarevutchi@gmail.com wrote:
>Has anyone done this kind of commuting before? Would a child trailer
>or a half wheeler work better?
Is your daughter yet size enough to safely manage the half-wheeler?
It might work for three years or so. If she's just learning or almost
ready to ride her own bike this will help her development if it fits.
If not, figure you might get a year out of a trailer or sidecar
before she outgrows it.
A bakfiets can carry a larger passenger or a couple kids, medium size
dog and a few bags of groceries but that's like ~$1500.
An Xtracycle can carry adult size passengers or accommodate a child's
seat. Dane Buson carries two kids on his. They're made for 26"
wheeled mountain bikes but are now available for many 700C bikes.
--
zk
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Date: 07 Sep 2007 13:21:46
From: Dane Buson
Subject: Re: commuting with a child
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Zoot Katz <zootkatz@operamail.com > wrote:
> On Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:59:36 -0000, slavarevutchi@gmail.com wrote:
>
>>Has anyone done this kind of commuting before? Would a child trailer
>>or a half wheeler work better?
>
> Is your daughter yet size enough to safely manage the half-wheeler?
>
> It might work for three years or so. If she's just learning or almost
> ready to ride her own bike this will help her development if it fits.
>
> If not, figure you might get a year out of a trailer or sidecar
> before she outgrows it.
>
> A bakfiets can carry a larger passenger or a couple kids, medium size
> dog and a few bags of groceries but that's like ~$1500.
>
> An Xtracycle can carry adult size passengers or accommodate a child's
> seat. Dane Buson carries two kids on his. They're made for 26"
> wheeled mountain bikes but are now available for many 700C bikes.
http://members.arstechnica.com/x/zuvembi/Xtracycle_and_Aixi.jpg
I don't have a picture of both children on the bike in motion yet. I
should fix that.
I prefer the Xtracycle to the trail-a-bike or trailer for handling. The
Xtracycle is totally manageable with a passenger. The trail-a-bike, not
so much. On the other hand, the kid can contribute on the TAB. I'd
advise borrowing one for a day or week if you can first.
Another nice thing about the Xtracycle is that it's possible to add a
StokeMonkey to the Xtracycle. This is an electric assist to extend your
range and speed.
The Bakfiets is a very convenient kid carrier. Having them in front of
you is awesome. On the other hand, it handles like a dirigible. Also,
it's heavy and not conducive to standing. Even with seven gears, I hope
you live somewhere flat-tish.
Trailers are okay for a single child, they really start to lose their
luster when you have two. A Tanjor trailer (two in line) is a better
solution. Good luck finding one (they're out of business).
--
Dane Buson - sigdane@unixbigots.org
"When all else fails, follow instructions."
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