Recreational & Family - Question about child seats/trailers

I am new to biking...my 6 yr old has become very interested in biking and instead of driving her somewhere and sitting there watching her ride in circles, I thought it might be nice to get a bike for myself and join her. My issue - my 3 yr old. She won't be biking for some time, as she has a physical delay and isn't even pedalling a tricycle yet. So I am looking into options for her to ride with me. I am nervous to use one of those seats on the back...I haven't ridden a bike since I am kid. The trailers look safer to me...I know they pull behind the bike - there's one by Chariot that goes on the side.

Any recommendations or advice for a new biker? I just want to make sure everyone is safe!

Thanks

I think you'll probably be happier with a trailer. A baby seat can affect the handling of the bike a bit.

Is your 6yo up on two wheels? Are the roads suitable for her to navaiget with your supervision from your bike with a trailer?
Is there a SO and if so are they into cyceling as well?
For our family rides on the road we use my bike with a trailabike for the 6 YO and my wife tows the trailer.

for our bike path / park rides My son is up on 2 wheels i escort him with my wife towing the trailer.

OR a consider a tandem with the trailer for the toddler.

+1 to st0ut comments.

If you do not plan on having any more kids, look for a used trailer on Craigslist. You can do the ebay thing too but they come up often enough in the metropolitan lists.

The trailer is much easier tio ride with than the child seats are. Additionally, going anywhere with a young child means you have to haul stuff, something the trailer is really good for. We got a cheapo InStep Turbo Trailer, and it lasted for years of year-round commutes. It's still around, although demoted to grocery getter now that we have the Trail-A-Bikw.

I'll never forget how disappointed my daughter was one day when I turned up at school in one of our cars to pick her up. Kids love them.

Paul

Our son is physically delayed, and his sister is about two years older (now 7 & 10). We have had several trailers, and feel they are the way to go. The weight is down low to the ground making them very stable, especially with bigger kids. We purchased a two kid trailer as they both rode in it when they were small. As our son now weighs 65-70 pounds, the 100# weight limit allows us to keep using the trailer, while his sister rides alongside.

We have a Chariot Cougar 2, and I really love it. If we had started with only one child in the trailer, the Chariot side car (not sure what it's called) might have been purchased instead. As it was never an option for us, I'd have to check the weight limit, and read some reviews etc., but the idea of a side car looks very cool.

I do not like child seats for the simple reason, that everyone spills no matter how experienced you are. I do not want my child to hit the ground because of my accident. A trailer will not spill as easily.

I'm going to go against the grain; I've used both trailer and seat and much preferred the seat. I was comforted to know i can reach her and she me in in instant. You get used to the additional instability in a matter of minutes. I've never spilled, and I'm one of everyone. Having said that, yes trailers would obviously result in a much lower fall,

Also, I religiously checked all hardware for loosening before a ride. I felt 4 yrs old was a too heavy for the seat.