Originally Posted by BassNotBass

+1.

Having your kids within arm's reach on the bike offers a false sense of security as there's nothing you can do to protect them while operating a bicycle and may even put them at risk as the additional weight may make the bike more difficult to control, especially if you are of petite stature. At least with a trailer your kids don't run the risk of tipping over onto the road if you lose control. That's not to say anything bad WILL happen, after all I survived acting as an airbag for my mom back in the early 60s: