If you’re a family who is fond of travelling on two wheels a bike trailer for your kids can be a great investment. Attaching one to your adult bike allows you all to get from A to B quickly while also knowing your children are comfortable and safe. Whether you live in a busy city or a less urban area, there are plenty of options available.
Many people automatically picture a child’s seat on the back of their bike when looking at options for cycling with kids. However, there are many advantages to using a bike trailer instead. A bike seat can’t be used if your child can’t hold their head up or sit upright yet whereas some of the trailers that are on the market now have reclining seats and are suitable for babies under 12 months.
Another benefit of buying a bike trailer is that they come in a single or double size which is great if you’re transporting siblings and perhaps a dog too. A trailer will also come with reflectors, a safety flag and a wind and rain cover to keep little ones dry while you do all the hard work of pedalling (and get a soaking).
Some of the trailers we’ve chosen in this round-up are multi-purpose and can also be used as buggies for walking, jogging and even skiing which makes them a good investment. It means your children will be guaranteed a smooth, safe ride, whatever form of exercise you’re doing. It may also mean you can replace your regular buggy with a 2-in-1 trailer-stroller instead.
When you have children it can feel like you acquire a lot of kit and equipment and finding space to store it at home or in your car can be tricky. While a bike trailer can be quite bulky, most of them collapse to a compact size, but you will want to do your research and consider this when choosing one. It’s also worth remembering that there is a good second-hand market for bike trailers: just make sure it has all of the correct components.
How safe are bike trailers?
While bike trailers take up more space on the road and are heavier than a bike seat, they are also safer if you’re involved in an accident or collision. If you and your bike fall over, a trailer should remain upright on its wheels. If it does tip over, your child will remain strapped in securely and many are fitted with roll cage technology which will go further in protecting them.
It is recommended that children wear a helmet while inside a trailer. It’s never too early to show children how important helmets are and it will get them accustomed to the feeling of wearing one.
Always check the weight restrictions of your trailer. Once your child or children are too heavy for it, you will need to swap to a tag-along or move them onto a balance or pedal bike of their own.
How do you fit a trailer to your bike?
Every adult bike is different and your trailer will come with instructions for how to fit it to your specific model. Most will either attach to the post underneath the saddle or via a hitch to the axle on the rear wheel. Your trailer will come with a tow bar and all of the accessories needed to fit it. It might take a bit of practice attaching and detaching it but soon you’ll be heading off on your two-wheeled adventures in no time at all.
Most trailers are compatible with e-bikes but you will need to double-check when doing your research. It’s not recommended that trailers are fitted to Brompton bikes because it can cause a weight imbalance.
Here’s our round-up of the best kids’ bike trailers on the market.
Hauck Dryk Duo Bike Trailer & Buggy
The Hauck Dryk is another 2-in-1 buggy and trailer which can transport two children from age six months up to a weight of 22kg and height of 120cm each. Hauck have really thought of it all when it comes to this product. It is easy to fold down with one hand, has a storage bag for the drawbar and buggy wheel and a 6kg storage pocket inside the trailer.
The canopy will protect your passengers from the wind and rain, but on warmer days it can be rolled back to reveal a mosquito net underneath. It is one of the slimmer models on this list at only 79cm wide which makes it a good option for people living in urban areas who might use it as a buggy on public transport. It is available in a variety of colours including blue, pink and grey.
Hauck recommends that if you’re carrying two children, the heavier child sits in the right hand seat to even out the weight distribution.
Buy now £449.95, Boots
Thule Chariot Cross Double
Thule is a brand known for helping fans of outdoor activities transport their kit easily, whether it’s roof racks, roof boxes or in this instance, bike trailers. Their strong reputation for quality means their products are at the higher end of the scale when it comes to price which will put some people off. The Chariot Cross trailer is a premium product but it comes with some fantastic features. Choose between a single or double trailer which can be used on an adult bike, or alone as a buggy for walking, jogging or even skiing. It is suitable from six months up to 22kg and has a 5-point harness for your child.
Children are guaranteed a smooth journey with the padded, reclining seats and adjustable suspension. It also has a rear light which will give you peace of mind if you’re out and about with your child when it’s dark. Some parents have said the versatility of this product has meant they’ve ditched their child’s buggy altogether and used this full-time instead. This may make the price tag easier to swallow. It also folds flat which means it should be easy to store in your home or car.
Buy now £1099.99, John Lewis
ETC Doppio Double Trailer 20" Wheel
This bike trailer comes at a great price and is perfect for any journey, whether you’re nipping around town or going further afield. It can carry one or two children, up to a maximum weight of 20kg. It comes in a vibrant red colour with a 5-point harness for the children and has a roll-up rain screen and bug cover. It fits to the axle of the rear wheel and has a quick release function which is always a bonus when dealing with small children. It comes with a Safety Flag which will give you added visibility and peace of mind when on the road.
One drawback of this product is the weight limit. If you’re carrying two children their combined maximum weight has to be 20kg which is quite low given the average weight of a two year old is 11-14kg. However, the lower price of ETC Doppio compared to others on this list means families may not mind if they have to upgrade to a bigger model or choose a different option when their children outgrow it.
Buy now £129.99, Decathlon
Burley Bee 2 Seat Children’s Trailer
The Burley Bee promises to give children a comfortable and safe ride. It has a 5-point harness and a roll cage for extra security in the event of an accident. It is suitable from 12 months old, up to a maximum weight of 18kg per child. It also comes with a Safety Flag which means other road users will be aware of you.
The 20-inch wheels are easy to remove and the trailer folds flat and is light to carry (9.8kg with towbar and hitch). The windows are tinted and UPF 50+ and have ventilation for your young passengers. The Burley Bee comes with interior pockets if your children want to bring some toys along for the ride and a spacious rear cargo area too. This is a great mid-range product which will last you a few years before your children are ready for their own sets of wheels.
Buy now £345.99, Amazon
Hamax Traveller Twin Bike Trailer
This is another trailer which can also be used as a buggy if you want to walk or jog instead of cycle. The Hamax Traveller only comes in a double version and is suitable for babies from six months to children up to a weight of 22kg (per child). It is one of the roomier models on this list, with a maximum load weight of 47kg but this means the trailer is heavier than others at 13kg.
The 5-point harness and red rear light will give you peace of mind when it comes to safety and the large windows mean children will get a good view of the world passing by as you do all of the hard work pedalling.
The buggy part of this product can be used from birth if the padded baby insert (purchased separately) is used. The 20 inch wheels means this will be a comfy ride for your children, whether travelling by bike or by foot.
Buy now £499.00, Decathlon
Bike Original 40kg Trailer
This is a double trailer which can be used as soon as your child is sitting upright on their own, up to a maximum weight of 18kg per child. It’s easy to attach to your bike via a removable attachment on the rear wheel. The 20-inch wheels have a quick-release system and the whole trailer can be folded flat for easy storage.
This is a great price for this product and parents have said it’s really light to cycle with which is really important if you’re using it daily - or going up hills! The waterproof hood can be opened or removed which gives you plenty of options in the unpredictable British climate.
Buy now £219.99, Decathlon
Halfords Double Child Bike Trailer
This is a more basic design but it is still a good choice for introducing your children to the fun of cycling. It’s suitable for two children up to a weight of 18kg each. However, some users have said the space is a bit tight for two toddlers and many also used it to transport their dogs due to the adjustable seat base. It is not suitable for children under 12 months or for travelling at high speeds.
Halfords says the trailer can be attached in 10 minutes and its universal coupler means it will fix to any bike. The trailer can also be used as a buggy and comes with a Safety Flag.
Buy now £150.00, Halfords
Raleigh Intrepid Children’s Bike Trailer
Raleigh are the experts when it comes to bikes and accessories. With the Intrepid trailer they have created a robust product which will keep your little ones dry in winter and cool in the summer.
It’s smaller than some of the models listed and a bit more restrictive when it comes to ages (18 months +) and weight limits (30kg in total). This is reflected in the price which is quite low compared to others we have featured here. However, this is still a good product which is made from waterproof and UV proof material and is easy to set up.
Buy now £149.99, Raleigh
Thule Coaster 2 XT Bike Trailer+Stroll
Thule’s includes everything you need for using the Coaster as either a trailer or a stroller, with the added benefit of having extra storage space for your luggage at the back.
It has two seats with 5-point harnesses and a maximum capacity of 45kg in total. It requires little assembly and attaches easily to your bike via the Thule ezHitch axle mount. The stroller wheel can be attached to it easily which means when you arrive at your destination you can easily switch it from a trailer to a stroller.
This is a product you can use seven days a week, whether it’s for nursery drop-off or going to the park for a walk on the weekends.
Buy now £533.99, Bikester
WeeRide Kazam Link Tagalong
When your child has grown too big for your bike trailer there are plenty of options open to you, including their own bike of course. However, if you’re cycling longer distances or doing the school run or nursery drop-off, a tag-along might be a good choice.
The WeeRide attaches easily to the post underneath the adult bike’s seat and has a quick release system. It is suitable for ages 4-9 and up to 35kg. The handlebars are adjustable but riders must have an inside leg of 52cm to pedal or they can coast if their legs are 40cm or above. This means the rider can pedal forwards, backwards or just coast. The tag-along folds down for storage and also comes with the Safety Flag. Children will love feeling like they’re part of the action while also learning about road safety and the benefits of cycling for both our health and the planet!
Buy now £116.84, Amazon
Verdict
The Hauck Dryk Duo is top of the trailers, offering excellent value for money with a spacious seating area, large storage space and strong safety features. It has four reflectors, an LED light and reflector lines on its wheels and cover. This means your trailer will be visible to other road users, keeping everyone safe on every journey.
The product is also very parent-friendly when used as a buggy with its one-hand fold mechanism, adjustable handlebar and parking brake.
