those of you with children
 

I just ordered a trailer to bike with my little one. My question is at what age/size would this be safe?

I never used a trailer but my kids were around 2 when we started them on the bike seat. They need to be able to comfortably hold their head up with a helmet on.

Make sure you get a flag for the trailer. I came across an accident scene on the way home from work last year that was truly shocking. A cyclist was east bound crossing a 4 lane road with his trailer in tow. A driver heading west bound on the same road made a left turn right behind the cyclist. Apparently, the driver had not seen he was towing a trailer and ran over it. The child in the trailer had some serious injuries but recovered. Seeing the damage done to the trailer, it was a miracle he wasn't killed. There was no sign of a flag in the wreckage of the trailer and I assume the trailer was below the driver's field of vision.

I posted this over on Rec & Family: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ers-for-babies

The trailer manufacturers say 18 months from a legal perspective. Some states have legislation in place regarding child weight & trailers (so know your local laws). Pretty much all the states require helmets on roads. You can buy inserts for the trailers that will hold smaller infants with more support.

So, if you are on a road you'll need to find a helmet to fit your child's head. If you are just going down a MUP then you'll need to ensure that the child can support his/her head while facing forward and the bike is stopping.

Also, be sure to get one with a clear plastic front panel (not mesh).
The first time I towed my neices (in a mesh panel trailer) they got covered in road dust from the back wheel.
I felt bad, sis was mad, and kids had to take a bath (not happy).

Enjoy

I have used a trailer for 2 of my 3 little ones. They both started around 30 months old or so. One did just fine and never had a problem, the other would continually take the helmet off when I wasn't looking.

I also only used it on the paths in the local park system so traffic was not really a concern of mine.

I think I put my kids in the trailer around the same time they transitioned to the forward-facing car seat. ymmv.
I put helmets on them. (double trailer, when I first got it I had three kids), oldest rode her bike.

My trailer was a Mother's Day present in 2000, along with a hybrid bike. Best.present.ever.