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5 ways we have carried kids on our bikes (and 2 other ways our friends have…) From top, left to right:DIY bike seat on top tube of regular bike, Yuba mundo, cheaper Chinese boxbike, Croozer single trailer, Beto removable seat, Dutch cargobike. (Bakfiet), Surly big dummyPros and cons from our experience (we got some friends to add their ideas, for the Surly Big Dummy and Top-level boxbike sections. They own these bikes)We have highlighted in green and red the most critical points as we see them. I have left out any comments on safety for each mode. Although there have been a few studies to date (Google them. Mostly European tests), the jury is out as to which is the safest. All bike child carriers come with a level of risk which is reduced by common sense. Riding cautiously, riding on bike paths, riding in bike lanes, avoiding dangerous spots, using highly visible accessories and lights, anticipating the actions of car drivers, wearing helmets at all times, and generally being sensible and cautious, will put the balance in your favour. My rule of thumb is: nobody ever got hit by a car on a bike path and if there isn’t a path, take it carefully.All these child carrying options are for bikes without an electric motor. There is a section describing how electric conversion can change a bike's characteristics. Bear in mind, a low end boxbike may actually suit your needs and budget more than a high end boxbike without a motor. It really depends on what you want to get out of your bike and the specific criteria that are important to you.Type of device/vehicle# of passengersPayload (max weight they can carry)ProsconsPrice ($Aus, 2014)Yuba Mundo9220203810003 kids (maybe 4 if you’re creative/brave)Or 2 small adultsOr 1 big adult and kidsOr combinations of both200 kg, PLUS riderHighly versatile: can carry young/old kids, adults, cargo, bikes, or all of the above at once. (Can tow 2 kids bikes and kids at the same time)Extremely easy to ride (we bought ours after already having a boxbike, as my partner couldn’t ride the boxbike. She loves the Yuba). Also, a great bike even without passengers.Hills can be hard but doable. Great assortment of accessories. Enormous payload allows you to load it right up.Excellent value for money (compared to other kid/load carrier bikes) Holds value well (2yr old bike still had 70% value)Kids are unprotected from rain, cold, sun (unless you make a cover like we did)Kids can’t read, draw or play with toys during ride. Being behind the rider, it is more difficult to interact with kids.Kids can’t sleep while travelling (unless they are in a baby seat attachment)Baby seat attachment is hard to take off or move quicklyMonkeybar is great for enclosing kids but makes it awkward for adults to get on/off seat (Yuba needs to design this differently)No seat belts (this might only worry some)$1,400 base price but you will probably spend $1,800 - $2,000 if you get accessories(used, ours was $900)Type of device/vehicle# of passengersPayload (max weight they can carry)prosconsPrice ($Aus, 2014)Surly Big DummyThankyou to our friends for this review of your bikeCan carry three kids (not sure how many adults!)90 kilos on the back. Plus 90 kg riderVery easy and fun to rideRides like a normal bike and is also great with no weight on the back Lightweight yet sturdyGood quality componentryCan carry a lot of stuff (shopping etc.) in the bags plus kidsCompatible with xtracycle system – the hooptie is great for keeping the kids safe and you can get a large range of other kid and cargo carrying attachmentsCompatible with the yepp kid seats onto the deck which mount and unmount quickly/easily and are lockable Did we mention lightweight and fun to ride?!Price If you have two adults wanting to ride one or the other may have to compromise on frame sizeHard to get second hand (although this may indicate quality which I guess is a pro).Not great for sleepy kids, even with baby seatIf the bike starts to fall it can be difficult to stop it with the kid’s weight on the back – this is mainly to do with the kids’ centre of gravity being so high and so far back. A problem with all of the long bikes.Kids are unprotected from rain, cold, sun (we have used the double pusher rain cover over them – seems ok)Standard xtracycle panniers not particularly well designed.Not sure but more than $2,500 for base line model (plus have to buy accessories to carry small children)Type of device/vehicle# of passengersPayload (max weight they can carry)prosconsPrice ($Aus., 2014)More affordable 2 wheel boxbike (i.e. a Chinese-made one) 2 kids easily, 3 with some modifications and 4 if you’re creative/brave.or 1 adult1 adult and 1 kid if your creative/brave150kg including rider (equates to around 50kg in the box and 30kg on the back racks.)A very fun and comfortable ride for the kids. Very social ride and being up front allows a high level of interaction between rider and passengersIf you put a car seat in, 2 kids can sit facing each other and chatting away, but separated physically. Great for kids who don’t handle being too close to each other for long journeys.Very effective rain cover that keeps kids very comfortable in any weather.Much cheaper than a top-level boxbikes and around the same price as an accessorised Yuba Mundo.Holds value wellVery large and heavy bike that some people find tricky to ride. Handles differently to a regular bike and takes practice to master. Usable without a motor but your range will be reduced and you will struggle up any hills. Also, it is always a slow ride without a motor.Not particularly high quality components and not “Maintenance-free” like top level boxbikes.Very hard up hills. Impossible up steep hills (an electric conversion eliminates this issue, however).Not particularly high quality welds or frame constructionA bitch to park at home. You will need a dedicated spot and that spot will need to be spacious.$1,700 (base price includes an excellent all-weather canopy, lightweight box cover, bench seats and belts for 3 kids, front and rear lights, solid pack rack, water resistant non-slip seats on benches,Covered chain guard, Rear wheel lock with security chain)Type of device/vehicle# of passengersPayload (max weight they can carry)prosconsPrice ($Aus., 2014)Top-level boxbikes (e.g. Dutch cargobike, bakfiet or Christiania style bikes) Thankyou to our friends for this review of your bike easily two in the box (using supplied bench seat & seat-belts) and could get another two small kids in there as well with a bit of customising. For longer journeys two is probably maximum to allow some room for kids to stretch their legs etc.Official rating is 125kg in the box & 25kg on the back. The front capacity is not a strength constraint, but rather the bike becomes difficult to handle & potentially unsafe over 125kg. rear capacity is based on EU legal limit, but rear carriers are actually easily strong enough to carry the average adult (85kg)Very easy bike to own and a great car-replacement. Quality parts mean that servicing (once a year) is pretty much all that’s required. Chain is fully enclosed, so even that only needs greasing every 6months or so. We had to get our gear hub rebuilt after about 4yrs of daily use in all weather, but other than that nothing major has been needed.It is a very social bike, with rider & passenger(s) being able to chat easily whilst riding. Our child loves being in the bike, and is able to chat to the rider, look at books, play with teddies, practice his musical instrument, eat dinner or sleep whilst being pedalled along. We have a rain cover & a shade cover which allows him to do all the above in any weather situations.Although this is untested scientifically, I believe this is the safest child-carrying bike available. The combination of our child being strapped into a car-seat which is partly encased in a plywood box seems to be better protection than any other child-as-passenger set ups on bicycles. We've only had one minor 'drop-the-bike' incident which resulted on the rider sitting on the road, and the child passenger completely unharmed, asking quizzically why the rider isn’t on the bike any more...It’s a good quality bike, so I imagine its held its value pretty wellIt’s heavy. You're never going to win any speed records on a box bike (although it is awesome riding downhill). But it is low-geared so if you're happy to totter along at a leisurely pace then this won’t be an issue. Electric assist motors can easily be fitted which would solve this problem.It’s big. manoeuvring in tight spaces is difficult, and parking can be a tricky in the city (you need a pole with a good space next to it to fit the bike)Its long. It is a very different bike to ride than a normal bike, and does take some time to come to terms with the front wheel being so far away.Not sure. $3k+ probablyType of device/vehicle# of passengersPayload (max weight they can carry)prosconsPrice ($Aus., 2014)Bike trailer1 or 22 kids and some luggageModular (i.e. it can be added or taken away from a regular bike). This makes it highly versatile and more affordable.Stable. Trailers generally stay upright if the bike falls over. They are easy to get in and out of.Convertible. Many convert into a (very big) pram. Great for if you’re going somewhere that requires a pram on arrival.Waterproof and kids can sleep in them. (helmet shape is important as a helmet with a bulbous bit at the back can push your kid’s head forward)Kids are separated from rider and behind the rider. So there is limited interaction between rider and passenger/s, and kids are less supervised.Lower view for kids. They see a lot less down there.Less obvious to cars than boxbikes as they are lower to ground (although flags and other visibility aides can help)Can flip if you hit a gutter or obstacle on one side (however all child carriers have their individual level of risk).Price is highly variable. Cheap ones can retail for $100. Top-level models are nearly $2,000 and more if you add accessories.We own a mid-range one that we got for $300 2nd hand a few years ago. Works fine. However we only used it for a year until we got a boxbike.Type of device/vehicle# of passengersPayload (max weight they can carry)prosconsPrice ($Aus., 2014)14478046355000Removable bike seat that clips onto rack 1 onlyJust the child (but most panniers can clip on the back if you remove the headrest.Cheap. Op shops often have them.Modular: i.e. can be put on and taken off very quickly and easily.Durable. Can be locked up and left at various locations (e.g. childcare, shops, and someone else’s house) as they are very robust and inexpensive.Still relatively easy to ride the bike with child on board.Only takes 1 passengerOnly takes kids to 20kg sRequires special rack.$80 - $150 ish new (including special rack)Often as low as $5 in op shops.DIY seat on top bar of regular bike OneYou can buy factory-made versions of this (weeride is one brand). Worth checking out. I just made my own after seeing people do it oversees.I have taken tweenagers on this seat and in many countries you see people carrying other adults here.A very cosy ride and it feels like you’re giving your child a cuddle while riding!Quick to get kid on and off and no seats, trailers or extra bike necessary. The only option I have that I can leave house immediately!Dirt cheapCan still have panniers and luggage on your front rack with your passenger.Seat is permanently attached. (However, I commute everyday with mine and no longer notice it’s there.)Teeny bit awkward to ride quickly with your child. I only use it for transporting kids if I don’t have anything else or if it’s a short journey, and I’m not in a hurry. $0 if you have an old seat lying around.An electric conversion of one of these!You can take more kids and/or adultsYou can take much more loadVery fun for rider and kidsIncreases your range for your journeys. We consistently go 20km from home with the kids.You don’t sweat or puff so much so you can interact with your passengers. Allows adult passengersThrottle or pedal-assist depending on your preference.Costs money (but is way cheaper than a car and will pay itself off pretty quickly as you replace car journeys)Adds maintenance costs and more things to go wrong. (however nothing has gone wrong with either of ours)Uses non-renewables to charge it (unless, like us you are lucky enough to have solar panels or 100% green power)Conversions are getting cheaper by the month. Allow around $1000 currently.We got ours done at .auAlso check out ................
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