Living Car Free - traveling with kids

What do you do if you have to travel a with a kid (boy, age 8)? I've been contemplating getting rid of my truck, but my son has quite a few events this summer and I'm not sure how to transport him. He's too big for a trailer, but is he too small for a tandem? He's never been much of a cyclist but if he's on a tandem he may be fine. Is there another option I should consider?

Some of them will be local (less than 20 miles), but I have a trip that will be around 100 miles. I can take a day off of work and make that ride. Carrying gear is another consideration, as it's a 4 day camping trip for cub scouts. I don't want to rent a car for that amount of time, or take my wife's van from her for 4 days either (actually she made it clear that was not an option).

Ideas?

I met a family traveling across the US by bike. The 9 year old boy was on the back of a tandem with his father in front. They had full racks, front and back, with gear. Most of the time the boy would put his feet up on the tubes and his dad would do most of the work. It could be done if you are willing to do it and if your son is up for it.

Eight years is an awkward age for cycling with children. For short neighborhood trips, the boy should have his own bike. As he develops skills and get older, he will be able to go farther and farther. For long trips, I'm also thinking tandem, but I am no expert.

You can go tandem with an 8 year old. FWIW he should be capable of 10 miles on his own bike under parental supervision. For the tandem they make a stoker kit that clamps on the seat tube that will bring the crank up to his level. Not sure who makes it but it used to be available on Burley and Santanna tandems. I never had one but several of my friends did, I also recall seeing one on a Gitane tandem too.

Aaron:)

I think I'll have to go to the LBS and see what that have in the way of Tandems. I'd take the whole family to make sure it would fit my wife without the kid back (I think that was the name I heard).

The problem is he lacks coordination to some extent, so riding a bike is hard for him. He got a new bike last summer that was a little big (he was in between sizes) and had a crash. He's gotten back on the bike since, but he really doesn't want to ride it.

I think I'll have to go to the LBS and see what that have in the way of Tandems. I'd take the whole family to make sure it would fit my wife without the kid back (I think that was the name I heard).

The problem is he lacks coordination to some extent, so riding a bike is hard for him. He got a new bike last summer that was a little big (he was in between sizes) and had a crash. He's gotten back on the bike since, but he really doesn't want to ride it.

Yeah, it would be a difficult situation if the child is leery of the bike. I would advise to take it slow and try to stay positive. But at the same time, i think you make it clear that he is eventually expected to ride, since that's the way your family gets around.

If that doesn't work, you might want to talk with a coach or PE teacher who works with his age group to find out more about what might be going on.

I think I'll have to go to the LBS and see what that have in the way of Tandems. I'd take the whole family to make sure it would fit my wife without the kid back (I think that was the name I heard).

The problem is he lacks coordination to some extent, so riding a bike is hard for him. He got a new bike last summer that was a little big (he was in between sizes) and had a crash. He's gotten back on the bike since, but he really doesn't want to ride it.

^^^
That does make it a bit difficult, hopefully you and he can overcome the issues. Maybe take some short fun rides, to a local ice cream parlor, or in my son's case the public library (cheaper than ice cream:thumb::lol:)

Check for the Kid Back I know I have seen them somewhere recently. LINKY! (http://www.precisiontandems.com/artkidbackinstall.htm) :D and one for sale on CL in ATL area (http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/bik/1587682816.html).

Aaron:)

If that doesn't work, you might want to talk with a coach or PE teacher who works with his age group to find out more about what might be going on.

We already know what's going on. Poor coordination if fairly typical of kids in the autism spectrum. Which also makes "getting back on the horse" that much more difficult.

For local events I'd suggest a trail-a-bike which basically clamps onto your bike to effectively make a tandem. Depending on his height a regular tandem may or may not work and the trail-a-bike offers some flexibility.

For further away events, if your son is not all that into pedalling, I doubt he's going to find going 100 miles by bike all day much fun. Carpool! Find someone else in the scout group that has two extra spots in the car and offer gas money. Obviously the carpooling thing works for not-so-far events too and you can pedal over to the house of the people giving you the ride so you aren't putting them out.

I too live car free and this summer i am looking at different options for child transportation. Trail-a-bikes are a good low budget option and Adams has a few add ons like a back rest that could be handy for a child with coordination difficulties. Another option to checkout would be an Xtracycle with the family van kit. http://www.xtracycle.com

Well, I think we're going to try a Kent Tandem once I get my truck sold. The Trail-a-bikes really didn't have many good reviews and I think he's already too big for one anyway. Besides, I'm not sure how well it will fit on my bike with the rear rack.

He is doing better on his regular bike, but it will probably be next summer before I want to spend on the money on anything he can keep up with me on.

Eight years is an awkward age for cycling with children. For short neighborhood trips, the boy should have his own bike. As he develops skills and get older, he will be able to go farther and farther. For long trips, I'm also thinking tandem, but I am no expert.

uh huh.

http://www.klootwijk.net/kg/fotos/49/helene%20klop%20-%20iedereen%20op%20fiets.jpg
http://www.ilmarinen.nl/graphics/j_met_kinderen_op_fiets.jpg
http://www.deschildhoeve.nl/dotcontent/data/image/op-de-fiets.JPG
http://www.cycletours.nl/data/pic/PFC_Frankrijk_Frankrijk__Heerlijk_fietsen_in_de_Provence1.jpg
http://www.dorp-engelen.nl/foto%27s%20nieuwsberichten/fiets%20oversteken.jpg
http://www.lekkerweg.nl/nl/system/Images/hogeveluwe_kinderfietsen_vnl_560x350_tcm422-140922.jpg

does anyone else see the ad on this page asking you to vote for something? it's annoying.

Bike Friday tandems should grow w/ a kid from small to adult:

http://community.bikefriday.com/familytandem

Bike Friday tandems should grow w/ a kid from small to adult:

http://community.bikefriday.com/familytandem

Thanks, I hadn't even considered that.