Getting outside and being active with your baby is a great way to encourage a healthy lifestyle early on for your child. Bicycling is a hobby that millions enjoy, and you don’t have to give it up if you have a baby – just get a bike trailer for baby.
I bet you’ve seen plenty of bicycle trailers before.
They attach to the back of a bike, giving your baby contained seat with a cover for your baby to sit while you take a bike ride. Not only are bike trailers safe, but they allow you to enjoy a beloved hobby with your baby.
Plus, babies and toddlers alike love hitting the trails with their parents. They see so much and get to spend time in the fresh air. What’s not to love?
Not all bike trailers are the same, and if you’re interested in investing in one, you want to make sure you get one that you’ll love. So let’s take a look at a few options for the best bike trailer for baby.
Related: 11 Tips and Ideas for Being Outside with a Baby
Why You Want a Bike Trailer for Baby
There are many reasons parents might want to consider using a baby bike trailer when riding a bicycle.
Perhaps the most obvious is safety. A bike trailer provides a safe, enclosed space for your child while you are cycling. This can be especially important if you are travelling on busy roads or in areas with heavy traffic.
Another major benefit of using a bike trailer for your baby is that it can allow you to easily transport them anywhere you go. Whether you need to run errands around town or take a longer family cycling trip, having your child with you in the trailer makes things much simpler.
And unlike lugging around a bulky stroller, a trailer can be easily attached and detached from your bike as needed.
Finally, using a bike trailer for your baby is a great way to introduce them to cycling! Bicycling is a great form of exercise, and it teaches your child that being healthy and active is fun.
Having your child join in on family rides makes everything more enjoyable and makes awesome memories together.
4 Types of Bike Trailer for Baby
There are four main types of bike trailer for babies that you can choose from: single bike trailers, double bicycle trailers, convertible bike trailers, and bike-style trailers. Let’s take a closer look at each one.
Single Bike Trailer
As the name suggests, single bike trailers are meant to be attached to a single bicycle and carries one child at a time.
They’re compact and great if you ride throughout the town on sidewalks or through hilly terrain. Many include all sorts of safety features like reflectors and a five-point harness.
Single bike trailers are generally the least expensive option and are good for short trips around town.
However, the downside is that they are tight inside and offers little space inside for cargo. Babies outgrow these trailers rather quickly.
Double Bike Trailer
Double bicycle trailers look like the single version, but they’re wider. Typically, this isn’t the type of bike trailer you want to take on the sidewalk or somewhere with traffic.
They’ll get in the way and bump into people.
However, double trailers have plenty of space for two kids and offer more growing room.
Double trailers also come in both standalone and integrated varieties, and can accommodate up to two children.
The downside to double trailers is that they are heavier, which makes it harder to go off-roading or up hills. You’ll get a serious leg workout and need a bicycle with gears to manage the weight.
Convertible Bike Trailer
As the name suggests, convertible bike trailers are convertible.
This means they convert from a bike trailer into a stroller or a jogger. If you’re on a budget and want something that you’ll use often or have a very active lifestyle, this could be a great choice for your family.
Convertible bicycle trailers have a main cabin where your baby sits with three wheels – two rear wheels and one smaller front wheel. The handlebar looks like one from a stroller, and then there is an attachment arm to fit to your bicycle.
When converting these trailers, you must remove the front wheel.
These trailers tend to have great suspension systems, but they are heavier overall than other trailers.
Bike-Style Trailer
Bike-style trailers are like a bike seat with only the saddle and rear wheel left. You attach the child’s seat to the post, and your child pedals behind you.
Typically, these trailers are preferred for families with older kids who aren’t ready just yet to ride along. They have functioning pedals and handlebars.
However, your child needs to have some knowledge of biking, and they aren’t for babies. You should use these for kids between four and nine years old.
How to Pick the Best Bike Trailer for Baby
How You Plan to Use a Bicycle Trailer
When choosing a bike trailer for your baby, the first thing you need to consider is how you plan to use it. Will you be using it for running errands around town, or taking longer family cycling trips? Each type of trailer has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to choose the one that best suits your needs.
The Terrain You’ll Bike
Another important consideration when choosing a bike trailer for your baby is the type of terrain you will be cycling.
If you will be biking on smooth, paved surfaces, any type of trailer will do. However, if you plan to cycle on bumpy, unpaved trails, you will need a model with suspension to provide a smoother ride for your child.
Single or Double Trailer
If you will be transporting more than one child at a time, you will need either a double bicycle trailer or a convertible bike trailer. These trailers have enough room to accommodate two children, making it easy to bring the whole family along for the ride.
Double trailers are great for growing families. They are flexible, and since trailers are a bit of a investment, some opt for the double when they plan to have more kids in the future.
Safety Features
Safety always matters when picking anything for your baby. The first thing you want to do is ensure it has five-point harnesses; these are a must.
Another important safety feature is reflectors; drivers should be able to easily spot your bike trailer. Unfortunately, cars crash into bicyclists all the time, so you want to make sure you are easily visible when it might not be as bright outside.
Some trailers have a roll cage, but those are really only necessary if you plan to be seriously off-roading with your baby in the trailer.
Weight Capacity
The weight capacity, or limit, should be clearly listed for each bike trailer. Many double trailers have a weight capacity between 80-100lbs.
It’s important to know that this capacity includes cargo unless specified otherwise. Always read what the manufacturer says.
For example, some may that that the entire weight capacity is 100lbs, but the maximum weight is 45lbs per child. That leaves 10lbs of cargo.
Your Price
You also have to think about your budget when picking a bike trailer for baby. Bike trailers range from around $150 to over $1,000, so having a set price point is ideal.
It’s important to remember that you can find trailers at all price points.
Higher-end trailers may have more features and better suspension, but if you’re looking for a basic trailer to go over paved surfaces, the budget-friendly options work just as good.
Windows & Weather Shields
It’s always important to look at the windows and external covers; you want protection from the elements.
Most of the time, riding in the rain with a baby doesn’t sound fun, but if it happens, you want your baby to stay dry. Many bike trailers have permanent rain covers that you roll up when not in use.
A canopy or sunshade is also a necessity to keep the sunlight off of your baby. No sunburns here! An adjustable sunshade is preferred so you can adapt to the time of day.
Take a look at the windows. Some will be mesh, and others may be plastic. You don’t want all to be plastic because airflow is quite important when using a trailer.
Folding & Storage
Chances are you won’t be using the bike trailer every day, so you want it to be easy to store away. It should fold with ease, so you can put it in the back of your vehicle or place it in your garage without getting in the way of everything.
The X Best Bike Trailer for Baby
1. Instep Bike Trailer – Best Single Bicycle Trailer
Let’s start with one of the best rated single bike trailer for baby – the Instep Bike Trailer. It’s sporty, lightweight, and durable – what more could you want?
Instep offers a single seat trailer with 16-inch wheels that folds easily and attaches to your bike with ease. It also has space in the back for some cargo along with a weight limit of 40lbs for your baby.
Parents don’t lie, and the thousands of positive ratings all say the same thing – Instep offers features parents love. Let’s take a look at some of the features you need and want.
- Instep offers a smooth ride with pneumatic tires and molded rims. This gives you a smooth ride over sidewalks or uneven bike paths.
- Five-point harness keeps your baby safe.
- This trailer has a weather shield to protect your baby from the rain, along with a bug net that protect your baby from the dirt as well.
- It stores and folds easily with a quick-release system that lets you take off the wheels in seconds. Then, it’ll fit into your trunk.
- Instep features a universal bike coupler that works with dozens of different adult bikes.
Downsides are always there.
One thing to note is that, even though the coupler is “universal,” it only works with wheels less than 26 inches. If you attach it to bicycles with larger wheels, reviews say it becomes more unstable and prone to tipping over.
2. Schwinn Echo Bicycle Trailer – Easiest Folding Bike Trailer
Schwinn is a leading brand of bike trailers and one of the oldest brands on the market. They’re known for delivering high-quality trailers with sturdy frames and all sorts of features that parents want to see.
The Echo Trailer won’t disappoint you, that’s for sure!
This is a double trailer, but it’s lightweight and easy to fold – a few big pros. It’s easy to collapse and store away when not in use. It’s actually quite compact and fits into most trunks.
However, you do have to remove both wheels when storing away your trailer.
Let’s talk about some safety features of the Schwinn Echo.
- A five point harness
- Safety flag
- Bright yellow color that makes it easy to see you.
- Two-in-one canopy with a weather shield to protect your child from the sun and rain.
- A bug screen that prevents insects from getting to your baby.
Overall, the Schwinn Echo is an incredible option that is durable and sturdy. It comes with two 20-inch alloy wheels, pneumatic air-filled tires, and carries two kids up to 40lbs each.
Don’t forget the compartment behind the seats that holds up to 12lbs of gear.
The only downside is that some parents say the trailer gets dirty easily because it sits so close to the rear wheel of the bicycle.
3. Burley Bee Kids’ Trailer – Best Double Side-by-Side Trailer
Burley Bee bike trailer is a favorite among parents because it offers durability and a smooth ride for two kids. It hauls up to 100lbs total.
The first thing you might notice is the bright yellow color that keeps you visible on the road. This is a key safety factor, especially if you like to ride early or late in the day.
Burley also includes reflective piping and other reflectors. Visibility really matters.
Burley Bee has other features that parents love, so let’s take a look at a few of those.
- The trailer features hammock-style seating that keeps your babies elevated off the trailer floor.
- The cargo space at the rear of the trailer gives you space to store your essentials.
- Tinted windows gives your kids some sun protection and privacy while the rear window gives plenty of ventilation.
The only true downside is that some parents note it has less headroom for older kids, especially when wearing helmets.
4. Allen Sports Deluxe Steel Child Trailer – Durable Double Trailer
Durability matters, especially when you buy an investment like a bike trailer for baby. You want it to last for years, and that’s what the Allen Sports Deluxe offers for you.
The Sports Deluxe has a roomy interior for two kids with an airy atmosphere and plenty of window to watch the outside world roll by. It comes with a universal coupler that attaches to most bikes, and parents rave about how easy it is to tow behind them.
That’s not all!
Here are some more things parents love about the Allen Sports Deluxe Trailer.
- The trailer is durable, made with a sturdy steel frame and carries up to 100lbs.
- It has three large windows – one large window at the front and two side windows. The feeling inside of the trailer is airy with plenty of light.
- Five-point harnesses keep your little passengers safe and a foot guard tube at the front protects their feet.
- You’ll find a large storage compartment at the back of the trailer, perfect for all those accessories you need when heading out for the day.
However, there are a few things you should note.
First, the recommended ages are one to five years old, so this really isn’t really meant for a “baby” even though some parents use it for younger kids.
Next, several parent reviews say that the harness is unpadded and rubs their child, creating an uncomfortable experience.
5. Aosom Elite 360 Double Child Trailer – A Budget-Friendly Double Bike Trailer
Being on a budget doesn’t mean a bike trailer for baby is out of the question. In fact, Aosom created their double child bike trailer for parents who are on a budget. This 3-in-1 design gives you three things for a great price.
Best of all, the lower price doesn’t mean lower quality. The reviews are excellent for this trailer, and it carries two kids up to a total weight of 88lbs.
Let’s look at some of the features of the Aosom Elite 360.
- This is a 3-in-1 trailer that lets you use it as a bike trailer for baby, stroller, or jogger with a removable front wheel and handlebar.
- Aosom uses durable, sturdy steel for the frame.
- The cover is made with Oxford fabric that is easy to keep clean and great for the outdoors.
- The seats have a sling-style that keeps your babies off the floor and snug with five-point harnesses.
Now for the downsides.
First, some parents say that the assembly process is complicated with vague instructions.
Also, it’s heavy, weighing over 40lbs. Once you add in the weight of your babies, it’s going to be heavy for you to pull, especially if you want to go uphill or over rough terrain!
6. Thule Cadence 2 Seat Bicycle Trailer – Great for Inclement Weather
Thule is known for creating fantastic products, and their Cadence is a basic bike trailer that is also one of their least expensive options. It’s in the middle of the road when it comes to price but not nearly as pricey as some of the other Thule trailers!
The first thing parents note is that it’s quite easy to put this together; it really is quick ad simple. Then, Thule added a rain shield and mesh scree that you can zip down independently from each other, so it protects your baby from the elements. That’s something you don’t see on other bike trailers.
Let’s look at some of the other features of the Thule Cadence that parents love.
- The large size wheels make this trailer easy to maneuve, handling different terrain well.
- It’s lighter and compact, so towing isn’t a problem.
- Thule added extra storage space for carrying things with you.
- It holds two children with a maximum weight limit of 100lbs – each seat holds up to 49lbs.
- The seats have five point safety harness to keep your child safe at all times, and they added a safety flat for visibility.
- It has a compact, one-step fold for easy transporting and storage. The wheels can be removed easily too to save space.
Overall, the Thule Cadence is a great choice, but it lacks some features that you would expect to see at the price. For example, the seats lack padding on the actual seat and the harness straps.
Also, while it has great wheels, it lacks a good suspension system. If you plan to hit up rough terrain regularly, this isn’t the trailer for you.
However, it is quite a weather-resistant bike trailer for baby, so if you ride regularly and know you might face some rain, this is a great choice.
7. Clevr Deluxe 3-in-1 Bicycle Trailer
Here is another convertible bike trailer for baby that parents love, especially when they love doing multiple activities like biking, jogging, and walking. It’s a 3-in-1 trailer that changes modes easily.
It’s a great pick for active families! Clevr holds up to two kids with a combined weight limit of 88lbs.
Here are some other features of the Clevr Bicycle Trailer.
- This trailer converts into a jogger or stroller, featuring a 12-inch pivoting front wheel and two 20-inch rear wheels. You remove the front wheel when using it with a bike.
- Five-point harnesses keep your babies safe, along with large reflectors and a safety strap for the hike hitch.
- This trailer has an awesome suspension system that smoothly goes over bumps.
- The handlebars are adjustable, so you can ensure different drivers are comfortable when steering in jogger mode.
All of this sounds great, but the biggest downside is the assembly. Parents remark how difficult this trailer is to put together when it arrives, and the instructions are basically a joke. It’s quite time-consuming, and if you aren’t a handy-savvy person, it could be quite a frustrating process.
Also, it’s not lightweight; it weighs almost 40lbs. Compared to some of the other bike trailers for baby on this list, it’s almost double the weight. That matters for your leg muscles!
8. Thule Chariot Lite Multi-Sport Trailer – A Trailer That Focuses on Safety
Thule focuses on safety, and that’s noticeable from the overall design of the trailer. The Chariot is a lightweight trailer that uses various materials to ensure your child’s safety and the overall durability of the trailer.
Let’s look at some of the features of the Thule Chariot.
- The five-point harness keeps your baby safety while riding.
- It has a rear light that ensures people behind you see the trailer as well, so you can ride later in the evenings without concern.
- It has space for up to two children, and the seats are removable for easy cleaning.
- The Chariot is convertible; it attaches to the back of a bike but also converts, so you can use it for jogging or walking. However, the parts to make it convertible are sold separately.
- It folds compactly; you’ll be able to fit in your trunk or garage with ease.
- You can adjust the vents to control the airflow. It’s a handy feature on hot days, and when it’s raining, you can use the rain cover that also has air vents.
The downside is the cost; it’s the elephant in the room when it comes to the Thule Chariot. It comes in at a staggering $1,000 – that’s a hefty price.
Let’s not forget you have to buy the convertible parts separately!
Also, the seats don’t recline, so if you want your baby to take a nap, this is a no-go.
I’m venturing to guess it’s out of many people’s price range, but if you can afford it, you would more than likely love the overall design of this multi-sport trailer.
Keeping living an active lifestyle and hitting the trails on your bicycle – it gives a great example to your child. Taking them along is a lot easier when you have the best bike trailer for baby. Let your baby watch the world go by as you enjoy the great outdoors!