for two.]
Since neither of my girls can ride a bike on their own (yet), we’re always looking for ways to carry them. So far Juli and I have used a trailer, baby seats, backpacks, my arms and even my shoulders (just for fun).
Last week I came across two new methods that were both fun and effective.
While hanging out at Veloce Bicycles on Hawthorne, Todd Fahrner rolled in on his Brompton folder. Todd’s always up to something interesting and that day he was showing off his latest creation. Todd has converted a product called the ITChair—which adds a child seat to a Brompton—attached some cranks and made it into a nifty tandem for tots. He calls it the ITandem.
Todd has documented his experiences with words, photos and movies on his blog.
the Haley Trike.]
I love Todd’s set-up, but what if you’re kids aren’t big enough to pedal yet and you need more cargo room? After my post last week about bakfiets I got an email from a reader inviting me to check out his cargo trike.
He had a Haley Trike, made in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by a guy named Stephen Horcha. I plopped my girls into the cargo bin (which had a nice, hinged door) and off we went. They loved it! We tooled around the park a few times and when the ride was over they didn’t want to get out.
I’m sure Haley Trikes aren’t as snazzy and smooth as european cargo bikes (I haven’t tried one yet), but they’re much more affordable and cost less to ship.
There are so many options and choices when it comes to kids and bikes that it can be overwhelming. Luckily, I recently heard from the BTA‘s Robert Ping that they’re working with Mommy and Me groups at local hospitals to educate new families about these choices. I’ll have more on that new program soon.