In the least weird way possible, strapping children to bicycles is a longstanding tradition in my family. My grandparents used to haul their three kids around in a rickety wooden trailer hitched to the back of their tandem (see picture below), and some of my earliest memories involve being wedged into a bright red child seat with a gargantuan foam mushroom of a helmet obstructing my upper peripheral vision. Now that my son is old enough, it’s our turn to pick up the baton.

Turns out, there are a lot of ways to strap a kid to a bike, and I’ve spent the past six months researching all the options to figure out what’s best. I’ve also spent lots of time using trailers and rear-mounted seats, as they were most appropriate for my son’s age and my bike setup.

Safety is also a concern. Extensive research has been conducted in Germany into the safety of trailers, bike seats and cargo bikes relative to one another, but there are too many variables to be able to say one is categorically “safest”. The truth is that each method comes with its risks. A child in a trailer may be more susceptible to pollution due to their low position, but a child in a bike seat is at greater risk of being injured in a fall. Often, it comes down to where you ride and what you feel most comfortable with.

I’ve broken down the main setups, along with the gear you’ll need to make your first outing a success. I’ve also consulted two experts on cycling with children: Duncan Jagger, senior project officer at Cycling UK, and Adam Tranter, former West Midlands cycling and walking commissioner, and co-host of the Streets Ahead podcast on active travel.

Everything you need to cycle with kids

Frame-mounted seat

Polisport Groovy RS Plus

Best for: quick trips, and parents with limited space

Frame-mounted child seats clamp on to the bike’s seat tube, suspending your little one over the rear wheel. They’re easy to fit, quick to remove, and provide a degree of suspension for your passenger, thanks to the springy metal prongs that attach the seat to the mount.

I found this type of seat to be the least fuss overall, but it can impede pedalling slightly due to the position of the mount on the frame. This isn’t much of an issue on shorter trips – school runs, shopping, park trips, etc – but I can see it getting uncomfortable on longer outings. And those who are precious about their frame may want to consider something else, as even when instructions are followed to the letter, damage can still occur. As for carbon-fibre bikes, forget it – metal only. Carbon fibre tubes are weak when it comes to clamping forces; a frame-mounted seat would crush a carbon-fibre frame.

As Adam Tranter notes, there’s also the small matter of bike handling. “The extra weight at the back can make the front end of the bike overly light and twitchy,” he says. “And for the young ones, all they can see is your sweaty back.”

Rack-mounted seat

Thule Yepp 2 maxi

Best for: stability and security

If you like the position of a frame-mounted seat but wish to be free from pedal stroke impediments and the risk of potential frame damage, a rack-mounted seat is the way to go. It fixes securely to your bike’s pannier rack, giving it greater stability. But this comes with a weight penalty that could affect handling too much for less confident cyclists.

Naturally, the biggest caveat is that you’ll need a rack on your bike. If you don’t already have one in place, sourcing and fitting one can be a challenge. If you have one you use for fixing bags to, you’ll have to find another way to carry your stuff.

“The fittings for these seats are pretty substantial,” notes Cycling UK’s Duncan Jagger. “This can allow the adult to relax, safe in the knowledge that the carrier is securely attached to the bike.”

Front-mounted seat

Kids Ride Shotgun shotgun seat

Best for: a front-row view

The least obtrusive option and one that provides the best simulated riding experience for small kids, a front-mounted seat puts your little one on the top tube, in front of you.

“This type of seat provides excellent visibility for everyone and a chance to experience the kinaesthetic feeling of being in the steering position on a bike for the younger ones,” says Jagger. “The seats themselves are often minimalist in design, so take up less space on the frame and can be left in situ when not being used.”

The issue with front-mounted seats arises as your children grow. If your passenger is too big, it can feel pretty cramped and even begin to obstruct your field of view. Plus, hit a bump in the road, and you’re liable to get your front teeth knocked out by the back of your child’s helmet.

Trailer

Thule Chariot Cross 2 single

Best for: poor weather and longer journeys

My son and I have been enjoying our Thule trailer a lot. He loves cruising along the coast from Whitley Bay to Tynemouth in it (as long as there’s an ice-cream stop factored in). It has a big zippered storage compartment, which is great for shoving his backpack in when I collect him from nursery, for additional layers of clothing, or for picking up the odd bit of shopping when we’re out. It also converts into a running buggy, but you’ll have to buy the conversion kit separately.

It’s secure, easy to detach when not in use, and is also a good option for somewhere such as the UK, where dry weather is never guaranteed, as it’s completely covered. When I don’t have a child in tow, I use it to run errands, like getting a big load of shopping or taking parcels to the post office.

The downside, Jagger warns, is that you aren’t as close to your passenger. “The ride in the back can be bumpy when off-road or on uneven ground,” he says. “The child might also feel more disconnected from the ride/rider – particularly when the covers are on. And the weight of the cargo in the trailer is particularly noticeable when riding uphill and should not be underestimated!”

Tranter says: “They’re usually low down, which can bring concerns around visibility from other road users.”

A common way to counter that last issue is to buy a hi-vis flag, which clips on to the trailer and sits in the eyeline of motorists, alerting them to the presence of a low object. Also, because different bikes vary so much in their designs, there’s a high chance you’ll need to source an adaptor to connect the trailer to your trusty steed. If your bike uses thru axles, it will require a bit of measuring and mild head scratching. Thule has a tool to help you find the right size for your frame. This will require some basic mechanical knowhow (or watching a YouTube video) and a bit of measuring to ensure you get the correct part.

Tag-along

Burley Kazoo trailer cycle

Best for: kids who’ve outgrown their child seats

Many kids reach an awkward point when they’re too big for child seats and too little to ride independently; this is where a tag-along comes in. It’s essentially the rear portion of a small bike – back wheel, saddle and pedals – with handlebars and a clamp that attaches to the seat post of an adult’s bicycle.

My son is still too small for a tag-along, so we haven’t had the chance to try one out. That said, Jagger and Tranter praise them for their confidence-building properties and the fact that they can facilitate longer rides that may not otherwise be possible. However, they also note the impact such a cumbersome object can have on the grownup.

“The feeling of an older child’s weight affecting balance at the back end of the bike when cornering and slowing down can be difficult for a less-experienced rider to manage,” says Jagger.

Tranter agrees: “Riding with a tag-along can feel a bit unnatural,” he says, particularly if your child stands while cycling up hills. This creates more lateral movement, which can feel unnatural and perhaps a bit unbalanced for the parent.

Cargo bike

Trek Fetch+ electric cargo bike

Best for: a legitimate car replacement

If you have the space and money, a cargo bike is not only a fantastic option for transporting one or more children, and, well, cargo – it’s also a genuine alternative to a motor vehicle. They’re heavy, yes, but this tends to be countered by the inclusion of an electric motor, allowing big loads to be carried with relative ease.

“These bikes are designed to carry additional weight,” says Jagger. “So the riding performance is less compromised by the addition of children and cargo. There are lots of options available, from traditional Dutch-style “bucket” cargo bikes to those with bench seats attached to the rear. But there are so many to choose from – which can make picking the correct make and model very tricky. And they take up a lot of storage space, which can be a barrier, especially in towns and cities.”

Tranter is a big fan, though: “The most versatile, sturdy and practical option for daily transport and multiple kids, big or small. I use mine to transport my 11-year-old twin boys – but it can transport an adult too.”

What else do I need?

That’s the biggest expense out of the way, but there are a few other bits and pieces you and your little one will need to make your two-wheeled adventures as safe and enjoyable as possible. Here are the extras you shouldn’t ride without.

Helmet

Abus Youn-I 2.0 urban cycling helmet

In the UK, riding with or without a helmet is a personal choice, not to mention a divisive topic. But where children are concerned, anything that reduces the chance of injury is worth embracing. You probably already have something to protect your head, but if your child doesn’t, this is something you’ll need before you go out for the first time.

My son has been through a few different helmets due to the alarming speed at which his head is expanding. The cheapest of the cheap from Halfords was fine, but I recently got him the Abus Youn-I 2.0. This is the same brand of helmet I’ve been using for years. It’s approximately five times the price of the Halfords one, but the difference in build quality and fit is night and day. The straps are comfortable and easy to adjust, and it has an LED on the back with static and flashing modes for visibility. He loves wearing it too.

For more, read the safety essentials cyclists won’t leave home without

Lights

Knog Plus light set

The best bike lights keep you and your passenger visible by shining bright enough to be spotted even in broad daylight. There are hundreds of options out there (I should know, I’ve tested them for the Filter), but I’ve found myself coming back to Knog’s Plus rear light again and again. Each of the setups above comes with its own difficulty in terms of mounting a light, but this one has a clip design that means it can be attached almost anywhere with ease. There’s a front version available too, or they can be bought as a twin pack.

For more, read our guide to the best bike lights

Visibility aids

Bicycle safety flag with pole

If you’re riding with a trailer or a tag-along, lighting alone may not be sufficient to keep your little one fully visible to all road users. This is where the aforementioned flag is a good idea. Go for one in a bold, hi-vis colour, ideally with some reflective trim.

Balance bike

Carting kids around by bike is great, but they need an opportunity to develop their own skills too. From the age of about two, a balance bike helps them get used to the sensation of being on two wheels and builds their confidence.

My son has been using this one from Decathlon, which is reasonably light, has a step-through design, is small enough to use indoors or out and won’t leave you bankrupt.

For more:
How to make your bike last longer, according to experts
The best bike storage solutions
The best bike locks – tested

Paddy Maddison is a consumer journalist, outerwear enthusiast and exercise addict. If he’s not hiking in the hills, he’s grinding up them on his bike, hurtling down them on his snowboard, or lacing up his running shoes and hitting the pavements. As a result, he gets plenty of time to put all the latest and greatest gear through the wringer for the Filter