The first thing to decide before buying a child bike seat is if you want a rear, front, or mid-mount (something typically used for mountain bikes). Dr. Vernovsky agrees with the use of bike trailers over bike seats because bike trailers are “quite safe, as long as the cyclists stay off busy roads and ride on bike paths, in parks or on quiet neighborhood streets.” She explains bike trailers are safer than bike seats, “especially in an accident given the child would fall about 3 feet from a bike seat compared with only about 6 inches from a trailer.”

Ashley Ziegler is a staff and freelance writer who covers lifestyle, home, parenting, and commerce content for a variety of platforms. She’s a wife to a public school administrator and mom to 1-year-old and 3-year-old daughters. In addition to regularly scouring the internet to find the best things for herself, Ashley spends multiple hours a week researching, comparing, and writing about products specifically for kids and families. Scottish Highlands Postcodes (IV, HS, KA27-28, KW, PA20-49, PA60-78, PH17-26, PH30-n 44, PH49-50, ZE ) 48 Hour Dispatch For bike riders looking for a center or front-mounted seat, the iBert Child Bicycle Safe-T-Seat is ideal for younger kids and features a fun toy steering wheel for pretend play. An option that can grow with your child until they reach 40 pounds, the Schwinn Deluxe Bicycle Mounted Child Bike Seat receives plenty of safety points thanks to its three-point harness and leg restraints. As a bonus, it’s easy to install and offers breathability thanks to the vented seat.Not only are bike trailers safer, but children can typically ride in them at an earlier age. “Children can travel in bike trailers, usually from between 9 to 12 months,” says Dr. Vernovsky. “Attaching an orange safety flag and rear mounted flashing lights to the trailer will provide additional safety.” Designed to hold a child up to 38 pounds, it's made of durable plastic resin, and the seat comes equipped with a 3-point safety harness made of nylon. It also has adjustable foot cups, so it can grow with your child. An extra feature we can't resist: Your little one will have fun pretending to drive with the attached toy steering wheel, which also happens to be padded for added safety. When evaluating child bike seats, we reviewed them for safety, bike compatibility, ease of installation, and price. A pediatrician from our Review Board also reviewed this information for accuracy and safety concerns surrounding the type of mount and weight recommendations.

As for bike compatibility, the brand notes that it works with most bikes, but it is not compatible with drop handlebars or bikes with odd-shaped stems. Reviewers note that it's easy to assemble and lasts for a long time. A front-mounted seat is often preferred by adults who want to have eyes on their little one and the road at the same time. The problem is that once they get too big, they may obstruct your view. “Front-mounted seats do not recline, as that would interfere with the space of the adult rider, but they provide the ability to see your child at all times in front of you,” Dr. Vernovsky says. “Your child’s forward view is unobstructed, and they have a better view of their surroundings. Front-mounted seats might be suitable for younger children ages 1 to 3 years on shorter rides.” Channel Islands, including Jersey and Guernsey (Sark, Alderney and Herm are an additional 1 days delivery from Guernsey) 48 Hour Dispatch Service The first thing to decide before buying a child bike seat is if you want a rear, front, or mid-mount. A rear-mounted seat is the most popular—and because it is behind the rider where there is more room, its seat is larger. A front-mounted seat is often preferred by the adult so they have eyes on their little one at all times and the view is not restricted for the child. Mid-mount seats on the market are often used on mountain bikes.

Adding a child bike seat to your bicycle opens up the world for both of you. That bit of hardware, which straps a child in front of or behind the bike rider, means the two of you can go on adventures swiftly and safely, making them ideal for kiddos who haven't yet learned how to ride a bike. The best child bike seats will match your budget, your child's age and size, and your preferred mount type (rear, front, or mid).

A rear-mounted seat is the most popular because there is more room behind the rider, so its seat can be larger. “The rear child bike seat is the most common, usually suitable for ages 1 to 4 years,” Dr. Vernovsky explains. “Rear bike seats provide more freedom and control of the bike which also feels safer.”