Fall’s cooler temperatures and vibrant seasonal foliage in many places around the country make the prospects of a bike ride with your child especially tempting. Sharing the ride with a young child who isn’t yet ready to pedal under his own power is easy with the prevalence of bicycle trailers available to transport your child safely.

Some basic safety practices will make the experience enjoyable for both of you. Be sure that your child is wearing a bicycle helmet and that she’s securely strapped into the trailer, said pediatrician Beth Ebel, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Injury, Violence & Poison Prevention. “People need to be sure the child is snugly fit in, just like a car seat.”

Whatever model you select, be sure that it doesn’t tip when the bicycle takes a spill.

“Make sure that the unit is stable and the child is well-secured,” said Dr. Ebel. “Babies must be at least one-year old before you may put them in a bike trailer. “ If you’re offered a used or hand-me-down bicycle trailer, inspect it carefully, check the recall list, and make sure it hasn’t been in a crash,” she added. For proper visibility, given that a bicycle trailer has a wider profile than the bike, be sure that it has a flag perched on top. There shouldn’t be any holes in the bottom, or fraying fabric, where your child could stick out her foot or arm.

Other considerations include checking “that the hardware is good before you leave the house,” said Garry Gardner, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Injury, Violence & Poison Prevention.

Dr. Gardner urges parents to know the terrain and trail they’re planning to ride before they take out their child. “The incline going up isn’t so difficult, but going downhill might be more dangerous, where you could easily lose control,” he said.

Don’t forget to assess your child’s mood before you venture out, suggested Dr. Gardner. “See if the child is fussy or crabby,” he said. “Is the child ready to go out?”

Once you’re safely set—with helmets, harness straps, and flag blowing in the wind-- have fun.

Above all, said Dr. Ebel, “Good for you for getting out there and being active. You’re being a good model by being active, along with modeling safety practices.”

See our buying advice for bicycle trailers, bike helmets and a wide range of products for babies and kids.

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