tjax

I work overnight, and today I was sleeping to be abruptly woken from my screaming 8 month old son, and my crying wife. Apparently my little man figured out how to crawl to an object and learn how to pull himself up to a standing position today. All is well except when my wife was making herself lunch and he crawled to my bike and pulled it over on himself. Resulting in many protruding bumps on his head and several cuts (he was hit by the big gears and pedal) and a day visit in the ER/Hospital. My wife feels horrible about the situation, and I feel bad for the little fella too, but I never thought it was light enough to be pulled over like that. All after we "baby proofed" our house.

I don't know if there was damage to the bike and I frankly don't care, but our little fella is doing fine aside from some extra checking on him while he sleeps tonight to ensure there is no additional swelling.

I planned a 17 mile ride with my sister today which was obviously missed for more important reasons.

May this be a lesson, your light aluminum bike that hangs out in the front room (we live in a 2BR condo) can be pulled over by an inquisitive youngster. My wife has now (understandably so) mandated the bike be placed outside. So I have to figure out a way to make sure it can be placed on the porch without being affected by the harsh elements of CO.

What a day.

bike4fun12

first priority is with the little guy. he seems good to go for the most part.

the bike on the porch is something I would not like myself. even with a cover, the weather elements can affect the bike. is there no place inside for the bike? behind the couch, desk, etc?

if outside is the only option, a tarp is probably best.

tjax

I think mom sustained more trauma than he sustained injuries, they are both ok now though.

I am trying to think of a way to keep it indoors. Our place has two bathrooms, one of them has never been used. I'm contemplating using that bathroom as my bike storage center, but it's gonna be one hell of a tight fit. It has a toilet and a stand up shower. I think if I put it there my wife may not have an issue with it. I'll just have to take a tire off or something.

jsigone

my baby is 5months old, I'll have to hide my super6 outta her reach in a few months. I have vaulted ceiling so make a tall rack or someway to hang it on the drywall. I have my 2 mtbs in the garage (always dirty) and my 2 roadies inside.

Hope those cuts and bumps goes away soon on your lil guy.

c_m_shooter

Is hanging the bike inside but above reach an option?

chefisaac

That sucks bro. I hope the little guy is ok. We have a friends 2 year old come over a lot and we have the same issue. So a little tip that worked for us is to attach a hook to the wall (screw hook) and attach the bike with a strap to the wall. Works great with the top bar and make sure the derailure side is pointing toward the wall. Works wonders.

steve2k

That's a good idea - they do something similar with big bookcases to stop kids pulling them on themselves.

My bike lives outside and even with a tarp on it is wrecked - the cables don't run smoothly thanks to rust, it seems to sweat in the sun after it's rained, I wouldn't wish that on a bike. Fingers crossed we move into a new house soon, complete with garage for storing bikes.

tjax

OMW THAT IS BRILLIANT. I am going to the hardware store today. Best idea!!!!!

Ali_Pine

Get the kid a T-Shirt saying 'Got my first scars playing with bicycles'.

The kid will survive childhood better than the wife.

InOmaha

Securing the bike to the wall sounds like a good idea. You may need to cover anything sharp too in case the little one falls into it or sticks curious fingers into odd places.

It sucks to watch your kids get hurt but its only the beginning. My older daughter broke an elbow at a padded play place designed specifically for small kid's birthday parties. She managed to find the only 2 inch strip in the entire place without a pad covering it and land on it just right. She tripped running to get back in line.

We have a good first aid kit for them. I've had to use it myself now and then so it must run in the family.

chasm54

Keeping it on the porch would be no big deal. Bikes aren't made of sugar.

Cychologist

My bikes can stay in a garage, but never on a porch.

There are a lot of neat looking bike racks that mount onto the wall, and store the bike well above the reach of a preschooler. For years I displayed my best bikes on the wall of my family room. Great art work, IMHO.

kc0bbq

Young children are surprisingly durable, which is a good thing.

JonnyHK 

Did he get a chainring tattoo?


No kids at my place, but i've got a wall hanging rack from Minoura. Keeps things neater and saves floor space.

tjax

Yeah he's being his normal self today. Initial scare is over.

tjax

Yeah, he was attacked by the front gears to, so it looks like a bear swatted him in the face.

tjax

I'll post a pic if your really interested.

RWBlue01

First thing...Glad he is ok.

Second, I suggest a bike rack. This way the bike can stay inside and will not tip on anyone.

bassjones

Since you have now said he's ok..., "Bet he won't do that again"

I had to store my basses in their cases for a long time after my daughter was born. I used to just leave them on a guitar stand. Kids will get into everything, and they can get into trouble quick. I would suggest a wall rack, as well.

Bethany

Your little man is going to be up and doing all kinds of things now since he's figured out standing. Glad he's okay and it just means more baby proofing is in order as he'll pull himself up on everything now. He still may try to use the bike if it's secured to the wall and get caught up the gears or tires so make sure it's still baby proofed.

IBOHUNT

Kids have a tough time getting out of those. Once they are old enough to figure out the velcro deal you have to get something with nice buckles...

Jokes aside. Glad the lil feller is good. Speaking from experience it's the first in a long string...