Basically, I want to start riding with my daughter (16 months) this spring and although I have looked through similar threads in the forum, I will ask my question separately since it really combines a few that were already asked.

Background - I have owned a Mongoose MTN Bike in college. Before that I was a "freestyle" rider and then BMX biker (amateur). I had my GT Pro World Tour, SE Quad-Angle, and a Hutch Trickstar. My bike skills are rooted in those 15 year old skills if any.

Looking for an easy, fun, good looking bike, and instantly thought of all the cruisers I used to see when I lived in LA at the beach. That laid backed biking style is what I thought I would be doing with my daughter. After a bit of research ( and before I came across this site) I stumbled upon Electra and saw the Townie 24 and thought it was the perfect bike (I think it looks bad-*****).

So - Question

What is better trailer or rear mounted bike seat and why?
And how would the Townie fit in with either of these? Any reason I should discount it? Safety concerns..

Basically, the townie is a reasonably price bike that still has a bit of a cool factor to me. For some reason my background (GT, SE, HUTCH) still makes me a bit of a bike snob and I can't bear buying a half-***** mountain bike or anything. Any alternative suggestions are certainly welcome - and thanks alot for your time.

Doc

Townies may not be cheap for what you get, but they're reasonably well made and similarly durable. My Townie 21 seems fine. For comparisons, you might also look at the Giant Suede and the Trek Sole Ride. If you want a more conventional frame, look at Caloi and Specialized. I can't advise you on trailers, sorry. Good luck & happy shopping!

trailer IMO is better. Less chance to tip over with the trailer and even if you do tip with the trailer it's not as far to fall vs the bike seat.

Not sure how the townie would make either safer or more dangerous.

In my humble opinion, the answer to "trailer vs. bike seat" depends on where you live.

When I lived in NYC, a trailer would have been too big, too long, and too hard to see in traffic. I used a bike seat for my daughter.

Out in the sticks, I prefer a trailer strongly. Two kids sit together and entertain each other, can't tip over, and laugh at me whilst I struggle up hills. Good luck.

I've been pulling my 2 1/2 year old daughter for about a year in a burley trailer. I don't like bike seats because it makes the bike too top heavy, harder to control. In my head, more dangerous than the trailer. The trailer won't tip if the bike tips.

And in the trailer, the kids can carry things to keep them occupied. I don't worry about her dropping a sippy cup. That'd be sketchy to drop something on the road.

Whatever you do, make sure the kid has a helmet. I acclimated my kid by wearing the helmet during play time, so she wouldn't fear it. And, so she wouldn't associate an uncomfortable helmet w/ only bikes. It worked and it became more of a "hat". Then I wouldn't let her in the trailer w/o a helmet. Now she knows the rules.

I've been pulling my 2 1/2 year old daughter for about a year in a burley trailer. I don't like bike seats because it makes the bike too top heavy, harder to control. In my head, more dangerous than the trailer. The trailer won't tip if the bike tips.

And in the trailer, the kids can carry things to keep them occupied. I don't worry about her dropping a sippy cup. That'd be sketchy to drop something on the road.

Whatever you do, make sure the kid has a helmet. I acclimated my kid by wearing the helmet during play time, so she wouldn't fear it. And, so she wouldn't associate an uncomfortable helmet w/ only bikes. It worked and it became more of a "hat". Then I wouldn't let her in the trailer w/o a helmet. Now she knows the rules.

Thanks and I noticed your name. Does that refer to skateboarding? If so, I am one myself, although these days I am relegated more to collecting than riding.

<snip> I acclimated my kid by wearing the helmet during play time, so she wouldn't fear it. <snip>
Just a warning about helmets & play...
When my daughter was 3yrs old we bought her a bike new bike helmet. We let her wear it in the house while she was playing on the computer (she was excited to get a new helmet). My wife was in an adjacent room when my daughter came up the stairs unable to breath or talk... she had slid the helmet back on her head & the neck strap was choking her. If she hadn't started to come up the stairs, my wife would have assumed she was quietly playing on the computer...

We checked the strap adjustments & the helmet could be pushed back regardless of how snug the strap was. (bad helmet design... we threw it out & bought a new one)

We have since read horror stories of kids' ending up hanging from their helmets on playground equipment.

We now have two new rules for bike helmets
1 - helmets are for biking & rollerblading (and are not optional for these activities)
2 - helmets must be removed when playing

Just a warning about helmets & play...
When my daughter was 3yrs old we bought her a bike new bike helmet. We let her wear it in the house while she was playing on the computer (she was excited to get a new helmet). My wife was in an adjacent room when my daughter came up the stairs unable to breath or talk... she had slid the helmet back on her head & the neck strap was choking her. If she hadn't started to come up the stairs, my wife would have assumed she was quietly playing on the computer...

We checked the strap adjustments & the helmet could be pushed back regardless of how snug the strap was. (bad helmet design... we threw it out & bought a new one)

We have since read horror stories of kids' ending up hanging from their helmets on playground equipment.

We now have two new rules for bike helmets
1 - helmets are for biking & rollerblading (and are not optional for these activities)
2 - helmets must be removed when playing

Good points. At this point, whenever she's playing something while wearing a helmet, she's always watched. But I agree, the strap thing is tricky. I also taught her to tilt her head up when snapping/unsnapping the buckle. It only takes one time of pinching skin to learn that...

Just got my girl some skates last nite, the "My First Skates" ones. She loves them, even w/ all the pads I make her wear.

Thanks and I noticed your name. Does that refer to skateboarding? If so, I am one myself, although these days I am relegated more to collecting than riding.

Yes and other board sports. In high school/college, I rode my G&S Chris Miller board, which now seems like a boat. I also used to boogie board a lot (now only when I go to Hawaii and stay near a decent break) with a Morey Mach 10, Turbo Designs, and now a BZ (I think, I ride so rarely now...). And I also snowboard: 1991 Burton Brushie, 1992 Burton Brushie, 1996 Burton Rippey, and looking for a newer Arbor board.

Though w/ a 2 1/2 year old and new one coming in May, most of the boards take up space in the garage. At least, I get some riding in once in a while...

I had a Santa Cruz R/S 10, Vision Mark Gonzalez, Powell & Peralta Lance Mountain (the Future Primitive) and Hosoi Original Hammerhead. Now I've got about a dozen more in shrinkwrap in my office.

I also had a Mach 10, and the old 7.7. I had a BZ that was red, white and blue but I don't know the model. Any way - thanks for the advice.

Doc

My buddy had a hosoi when they first came out. Those were cool.