Best bike for short commutes with little one
Hi. I'm looking to get a bike to transport my little one (1.5 years) and small dog around town. I am not very confident on a bicycle as I learned as an adult and cannot indicate without falling over. I'm definitely going to practice before taking the kids out. I want to only take non-major roads so mostly around Berkeley (Rockridge area). I will most likely need to use it to pick up kid from preschool so it needs to be comfortable and safe. What set up and bicycle type do folks here use? It's a big investment and I want to get something that works for long term use.
Jan 2, 2024
Parent Replies
I used a bike trailer for a few years until my child got too tall for it. My research had indicated it was safer than a seat on a bike, so that's why I originally got it. Here are some advantages to bike trailers:
1. Stability. The center of gravity is low, so you're less likely to tip your bike over. It feels a lot like just riding your bike. It is also extremely hard to tip a trailer over-- I've heard of it happening but I swear you have to be taking a turn way too fast before it does.
2. Removability. Depending on your situation, you can leave the trailer at home if you're going out without your child, or lock it up well if you continue on after dropping them off.
3. Storage. You can usually fit a bag of groceries in the back part, and maybe also a dog, depending on the size and temperament of the dog.
4. Kid comfort. Your kid is shielded from wind/rain and can eat, read, play, or even sleep in the trailer.
The primary drawback is if you don't have much space to store it or you have to take it on BART.
I'm sure you'll get lots of bike/gear recommendations, but I wanted to put in a plug for Bike East Bay's free adult cycling classes: https://bikeeastbay.org/education/ Even if you already technically know how to ride a bike, there are classes to help you build confidence in riding in urban environments, all in a friendly environment.
I would recommend an e-bike for long-term use toting kids etc. around town. It's a bigger investment, but as your kid grows, it's harder to ride around without an assist, especially getting to and from school in a timely manner. There are also "piccolos" you can attach to the back of a regular bike for when they get older, it's like a kid bike without a front wheel. There are lots of e-bikes around now, and two main e-bike shops in East Bay, Blue Heron in N Berkeley and New Wheel near Dimond Park. Which bike is really about personal preference, but Terns are one of the most popular brands for kids because they have a variety of add-on accessories that customize the setup to your particular needs. Another popular option are the Rad Bikes, and now they have a bike shop so you can look in person (they used to be online only). Good luck with your search! It's so fun to be out on bikes with little kids, much more fun than sitting in traffic in a car.
I use a Rad Runner 3 with a Burley Bee double trailer, and riding it with my little one is the best part of my day. Some items that make it possible, joyful and safe: a trailer hitch, warm gloves, rain gear, a safety flag, and tons of blinking lights.
We upgraded to an e-bike when our son was around 1.5 and we love it! While the bigger bike is heavier, it feels very sturdy for riding around our neighborhood (we're in Rockridge too) and it's very stable when getting the child in & out of the seat with the integrated kickstand. You can even do a subscription to try it out via the Friiway program at the New Wheel in Oakmore.