Recreational & Family - Riding with 3.5 year old

I know there have been other similar posts, so apologies in advance for any redundancies! I couldn't quite find an answer for my question:

We are newer to bike riding and would like to take our 3.5 year old along with us. He has some developmental delays and will sit on his own bike (with training wheels) but hasn't attempted to learn to pedal--it will be awhile.

We are trying to decide between a bike seat (something like the bobike maxi) and a trail-a-bike. I think we have ruled out a trailer--we (my husband and I) run a lot and our son is completely fed up with sitting in the jogging stroller (doesn't like just sitting in it anymore), I think a trailer is similar enough that it will just be a waste of money since I am betting he won't sit in it very long. Although I would greatly prefer a trailer, seems safer...

So a rear seat (which I think our son might like, since he would be on the bike and feel more a part of the action) seems like it would be feel unbalanced since we are newer riders (our son is about 30 pounds), but I am worried with a trail-a-bike that our son will tip over or not be able to balance. I know I can buy a back seat attachment for the Adams so he can strap in, but is a good sense of balance required to stay upright on a trail-a-bike?

Any suggestions for what might be best to try?

Sheldon says...

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tandkids.html

My 3 year old is pretty fed up with a bike seat, but loves a trail a bike, so I highly recommend that. Depending on his size, you may need to look at the Adam's compact trail a bike. You can also get a backrest with seat belt from Adam's if you are concerned about him getting tired or jumping off

emily2010, I know when my kids were at that age they would've been bored to death in a trailer. The half bike seems the best solution tho' I'd remove the chain 'till he discovers them on his bike. I didn't know about the ability to add a seatbelt...only makes the half bike a better idea yet.

Brad

So we ended up getting a Wee-Hoo, it is basically like a recumbent bike with a relatively comfortable seat (back to the seat and everything), side handles and pedals. Our LBS recommended it to us (I hadn't seen anything like it before), and of all the options we looked at our son was most interested in it. And as an added bonus the chain on it is completely covered up. Thanks for everyone's input!

The Wee-Hoo is a great product. I went to buy one and my son (age 3) absolutely refused to even try it. He got all upset that it wasn't a "real bike" like dads, and then burst into tears in the middle of the bike shop. Honestly if we would have just tried it, I think he would have liked it.

emily2010, Thanks for the update.

Brad

What about the Bilenky or Hase Pino style tandem?

Leo, They probably would work, with modification for a small child...I think that design is excellant for people with certain handicaps.

Brad

I know there have been other similar posts, so apologies in advance for any redundancies! I couldn't quite find an answer for my question:

We are newer to bike riding and would like to take our 3.5 year old along with us. He has some developmental delays and will sit on his own bike (with training wheels) but hasn't attempted to learn to pedal--it will be awhile.

We are trying to decide between a bike seat (something like the bobike maxi) and a trail-a-bike. I think we have ruled out a trailer--we (my husband and I) run a lot and our son is completely fed up with sitting in the jogging stroller (doesn't like just sitting in it anymore), I think a trailer is similar enough that it will just be a waste of money since I am betting he won't sit in it very long. Although I would greatly prefer a trailer, seems safer...

So a rear seat (which I think our son might like, since he would be on the bike and feel more a part of the action) seems like it would be feel unbalanced since we are newer riders (our son is about 30 pounds), but I am worried with a trail-a-bike that our son will tip over or not be able to balance. I know I can buy a back seat attachment for the Adams so he can strap in, but is a good sense of balance required to stay upright on a trail-a-bike?

Any suggestions for what might be best to try?

You mention that he's ******** and therefor I would really recommend the trailer. If he's too fussy or figity you may have to improvise some sort of seatbelt / harness. You seem concerned that he may lose his balance and fall off if he's seated upright on a seat is more reason to go with a trailer, preferably something fully enclosed.