Recreational & Family - Bike Helmets with a Bike Trailer?

Just need some opinions here. I have a 2 year old and I got the helmet for him. It fits perfectly when he is not in the trailer (and this is the smallest one available). Once in the trailer, the helmet slides forward and covers his eyes. He then gets fussy because its uncomfortable and he cant see. So my question is, am I doing more possible harm by keeping the helmet on him when it is not on correctly? I would rather not put the helmut on him, he is strapped in (5 pt harness) the trailer....but I dont want other bikers to look and think that I am a "bad" mother for not having a helmet on my child.


thanks

juli

OK, I had the same problem too w/ my 2 year old. First off, is it a Burley DLite? If so, there's a strap on the back, at head level that needs to be connected. That creates a proper "head rest". W/o that, it makes their helment slide forward when they lean back. Took me a while to figure that out. If it's not a burley, make sure that it's assembled properly, could still be a similar issue.

My 2 cents is that the helmet should always be worn properly. If not, then it could be as dangerous as NOT having a helmet. If you're not comfortable w/ setting it up, I'd suggest going to an LBS (local bike shop) and asking for help. It's worth the hassle in the long run.

No, its a Bell Lil Rambler. There is a spot on the back of the trailer that is netted to allow for the helmet, but my son is short, so he just misses it.........

Hmm, maybe pad his seating area? But it'd have to be a padding that stays during the ride.

I use a Burley d'Lite with my 3 year old, and I have VERY reluctantly given up on using a helmet on him while he is in the trailer. He's very comfortable wearing a helmet while he is riding his own bike, but in the trailer there is simply not enough room. He's tall, but with the helmet his head tilts forward in a way that seems uncomfortable, and he flat out does not want to wear it. The netting that is supposed to make room for the helmet is too tight and still pushes his head forward. I've been looking for helmets that are more flat on the back, but have not found one that fits him.

I don't make my kids wear helmets in the trailer for the same reasons. But, I only take them on park roads or bike paths were there are no cars or a few slow moving cars. I know there is still the possibility of wrecking but it would be pretty hard to turn the trailer over.

I don't make my kids wear helmets in the trailer for the same reasons. But, I only take them on park roads or bike paths were there are no cars or a few slow moving cars. I know there is still the possibility of wrecking but it would be pretty hard to turn the trailer over.
Even if you turn a trailer over, the kids should stay in place and well protected if you buckled them in correctly.

Alot a trailers don't have that $EXTRA$ feature. I bought my Burley D-Lite for the extra's including that factor, but my boy ends up taking his helmet off by himself after a couple of miles or so. I tried and tried to win the battle with the helmet and my son refuses. I know it's a no-no, but I stick to very low traffic areas, bike paths, and parks and he goes helmet-less. I know it sounds dumb, but the orange flag really get's the cars attention though. Give's me some more piece of mind.

thanks for the responses!
I am gonna try to have him fitted for a helmet at the lbs. We will be riding on a bike trial on the Mississippi river levee, so I feel a llittle better knowing that there are no cars around just incase!