Baby In Bike Trailer Need A Helmet
The reason for putting up this question was because the trailer seems to be uncomfortable most of the times for our kids because the trailer is too small and wearing a helmet after sitting in it makes the back of the seat pushing the helmet making it a less ideal ride for your child.
Baby in bike trailer need a helmet. While there is quite a bit of discussion regarding whether children should wear helmets in bike trailers we think the answer is an easy yes. When you purchase a trailer the league recommends that you look for one that has a ball and socket joint where the bike and trailer meet this prevents the trailer from tipping over if the bike does. For most babies this happens around 12 months old. The trailer should also have three or five point harness seatbelts.
Before you buy a helmet you should also make sure your baby is actually ready for a helmet. For more information read our article on biking with a baby. A helmet will protect him or her and also help develop the habit of always riding with a bike helmet. You re most likely looking for a baby or toddler helmet so you can take them along for a bike ride in a trailer or child bike seat.
Smaller kids without proper neck muscles should be seated in a special seat like the fitting car seats which doesn t permit helmets. No your kid does not need a helmet if you have a proper trailer. You could also get a helmet with an in mold construction pattern as these are lighter have more vents and are considered appropriate for bike trailers. Proper trailers do have belts and rollover protection.
Look for a helmet with a flat back so their head doesn t get pushed forward as they lean back against the trailer or child bike seat. When you choose a helmet for your child look for a label that says it meets snell ansi or cpsc safety requirements. Before every ride make sure to strap your child in securely. The quick and easy answer to this question is one year old.
Your child needs to have good neck strength before introducing additional weight to their head. Around 12 months old babies develop the neck strength required to support the weight of a helmet and to keep their head from bobbing when riding over bumps. Get a helmet which has adjustable straps including a slide to adjust the size and these properties allow the helmet to fit a variety of head shapes. This is the recommended age provided by the american association of pediatrics aap.
If the trailer is being used in bike mode yes the child should always wear a helmet. It discusses advantages of baby seats and trailers. If you don t wear a helmet in your car you don t need one in a trailer.