<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for Umbra on biking with kids]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by Ineffable http://www.grist.org/article/built-for-two/ Wed, 11 Jun 2008 03:51:52 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/built-for-two/1 Lighter than 20 years ago

I finally learned to drive and bought a car around 20 years ago when I sheared off a toe clip in the middle of a busy (and steeply banked) intersection while towing my 2 kids from the park.  The trailer was made out of plywood and had a little seat in it that was not nearly as comfy looking as the modern kind.  Until the toe clip incident I biked them to day care and back every day and sometimes loaded groceries in there too.  I still have that old trailer and its still heavy. I use it for cargo because I have reverted to the bicycle way of life and no longer need the drivers license much.  The kids, now 21 and 23 also bike as much as they can.  The four of us at three addresses have been sharing one prius for about a year.

]]> Lighter than 20 years ago

I finally learned to drive and bought a car around 20 years ago when I sheared off a toe clip in the middle of a busy (and steeply banked) intersection while towing my 2 kids from the park.  The trailer was made out of plywood and had a little seat in it that was not nearly as comfy looking as the modern kind.  Until the toe clip incident I biked them to day care and back every day and sometimes loaded groceries in there too.  I still have that old trailer and its still heavy. I use it for cargo because I have reverted to the bicycle way of life and no longer need the drivers license much.  The kids, now 21 and 23 also bike as much as they can.  The four of us at three addresses have been sharing one prius for about a year.

]]> Comment #2 by lgrayum http://www.grist.org/article/built-for-two/ Wed, 11 Jun 2008 04:04:37 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/built-for-two/2 Sidecar !

In the past 2 years my husband & I have become more and more dependent on our bikes to get around town and do things. Thus, when I got pregnant we started researching our options to haul our precious load along, without having to rely on a car. We came across the Chariot Sidecar. Once our little boy was old enough to safely take along we found one used on Craigslist and just love it.  It seemed to be better to have our kid next to us, so we could talk to him, make sure he was ok, give him food/drink/pacifier. He loves being in there, riding around, seeing everything.
I would highly recomend it. We love it!

]]> Sidecar !

In the past 2 years my husband & I have become more and more dependent on our bikes to get around town and do things. Thus, when I got pregnant we started researching our options to haul our precious load along, without having to rely on a car. We came across the Chariot Sidecar. Once our little boy was old enough to safely take along we found one used on Craigslist and just love it.  It seemed to be better to have our kid next to us, so we could talk to him, make sure he was ok, give him food/drink/pacifier. He loves being in there, riding around, seeing everything.
I would highly recomend it. We love it!

]]> Comment #3 by redambrosia99 http://www.grist.org/article/built-for-two/ Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:22:18 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/built-for-two/3 oh umbra...

we never get tired of you gushing about bikes.  We're all bike nerds too ^.^

What brand is the tandem bike pictured at the top, with the kid in the front?  I've never seen those before.

]]> oh umbra...

we never get tired of you gushing about bikes.  We're all bike nerds too ^.^

What brand is the tandem bike pictured at the top, with the kid in the front?  I've never seen those before.

]]> Comment #4 by carfreedays http://www.grist.org/article/built-for-two/ Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:30:58 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/built-for-two/4 KidzTandem

it's a KidzTandem made by Brown Cycles in Grand Junction, CO.

http://www.browncycles.com/tandems.htm

]]> KidzTandem

it's a KidzTandem made by Brown Cycles in Grand Junction, CO.

http://www.browncycles.com/tandems.htm

]]> Comment #5 by redambrosia99 http://www.grist.org/article/built-for-two/ Thu, 12 Jun 2008 01:33:15 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/built-for-two/5 sweet

thanks ^.^ <3

]]> sweet

thanks ^.^ <3

]]> Comment #6 by human power http://www.grist.org/article/built-for-two/ Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:44:33 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/built-for-two/6 Kids belong in front

I am uncomfortable with people putting kids on the back of bikes or in trailers (I have seen some nasty outcomes), particularly in this age of cell phone distracted operators of two-ton motorized wheelchairs. If one does not mind a bit of extra weight, Peter Wagner of Whymcycle fame makes rear-steer tandems and triples with children's cranks from reclaimed Schwinns. I think he charges less than $300 plus shipping (they are completely recycled, so don't expect glossy finishes and new components). As the child gets older, it is fun to watch people react to a tandem rolling down the road with the five-year-old "captain" crossing his arms across his chest.

]]> Kids belong in front

I am uncomfortable with people putting kids on the back of bikes or in trailers (I have seen some nasty outcomes), particularly in this age of cell phone distracted operators of two-ton motorized wheelchairs. If one does not mind a bit of extra weight, Peter Wagner of Whymcycle fame makes rear-steer tandems and triples with children's cranks from reclaimed Schwinns. I think he charges less than $300 plus shipping (they are completely recycled, so don't expect glossy finishes and new components). As the child gets older, it is fun to watch people react to a tandem rolling down the road with the five-year-old "captain" crossing his arms across his chest.

]]>