hero419

what are the saftey issues with putting you child in a backpack (high end with all sorts of straps and internal frame and shoulder straps for child) while on a bike.
How does it compare to a child seat that mounts over the rear wheel?
If you think I'm nuts, tell me why.

P.S. I have not done it.

masiman

You can definitely do it. A downside to riding that way is the discomfort. Your back is far more likely to get sweaty. Another downside is the restricted mobility that you have. If you are just doing easy riding it probably won't be a problem. If you would like to do riding that requires more body english you will find yourself somewhat restricted. The same goes for emergency maneuvering.

steve2k

Centre of gravity too high, long way to fall, little protection compared to child seat, good (?) chance of you falling backwards onto baby, is there space for helmets without bashing together? illegal (I believe) in some places.

We bought a trailer for our son (15months) 6 months ago but don't use it very often because it's a faff to get out and connect up etc. So, we also bought a bike seat that attaches to the front handlbars (bobike mini from Holland), which is much better. We get to chat and I figure if we crash I can just hug him and take the fall.

I'm not sure what the best way of carrying a baby is; I think trailer is safest but we don't use it, the baby seat probably isn't as safe but we actually use it, a backpack just doesn't seem like a good idea to me. I don't know if there's some real data anywhere.

good luck and take care whichever you use,
Steve

hero419

I have a trailer but it is to bouncy on the dirt roads. I'll just wait untill after the winter untill he is old enugh to handle the bouncy roads.

steve2k

Of course, having said all that. Plenty of people carry children in plenty of ways without giving it a second thought.

https://www.workcycles.com/workbike/b...ort-bikes.html

I don't see many dutch bike websites showing pictures of kids or adults wearing helmets, and they are the masters of living with a bike.

mikepoole

I really wouldn't. I carry my daughter in a pack frequently while walking/hiking, and on a rear seat while biking. You don't want the weight any higher than a seat, especially because it can move on its own- it's easy to compensate when it's mounted to the bike frame, but based on a few times when she's shifted while on my back, had we been on a bike we'd have wiped out. Also, the child's backpack straps aren't meant to keep them in the pack in a fall at speed, so if you did wreck the bike chances are good the kid would get ejected from the pack.

We use a Bobike Maxi-Plus (a.k.a. PeaPod) rear-mounted on a rigid MTB w/North-Road style handlebars. It's our usual ride to playschool- even today in the rain... I'm sure a trailer would be safer as far as stability, but I prefer the control of the bike-mounted seat, especially since we ride in town, not on trails.

edit- you didn't mention how old he was, but if you're going to ride on bumpy roads make sure his neck can support both his head _and_ his helmet.

truepeacenik

think on this: wet diapers on your back.
How about a carseat strapped into your trailer?

hero419

did the car seat
It worked great at the park with paved roads.
Like I said, I will wait till after the winter.
I can't wait to take him snow shooing.
How do you keep there face warm?

truepeacenik

I wasn't in Colorado at the time, so temp was only a few day's problem.
I'm hyper sensitive to cold and fleece is great: lightweight and not itchy.
I see the kiddos around here with all sort of things.
enclosed trailers for the cycling side & for snowshoeing, I'd ask at the gear shop (or drop an e-mail or call on REI, their customer service rocks).
one boy last year (we had stay around snow and slush from hades) was out in a full snow suit and a ski mask. He was probably... 2?
I used to carry my son (who now can carry me) inside a poncho on short jaunts.

chego

Think about the arc that is produced in a fall with your child being the topmost point. His head would be the first thing to hit the ground (pavement, concrete, tree, etc.) in a crash. That right there is enough for me to suggest that you try something else. The center-mounted carriers are great and fairly inexpensive. We use a WeeRide Kangaroo carrier and love it.

How old is your son?

HardyWeinberg

I would go for a chest carrier before a backpack. I don't think I would try a backpack at all. Center-of-gravity just too high. Go for a rear-rack seat instead (or as well, if you need to carry 2 kids...)

hero419

O.K., O.K.
I am not going to put my kid in a back pack and go for a ride!
As I said before. I am going to wait untill after the winter and put him in the trailer.
Thats not to say he won't be joining us in the snow!
we will be out there living it up.
best season ever.