A Few Questions About Riding With a Trailer

[ianrauk]

we got a burley, and the kids love it. we also got the attachment that lets you drop a front wheel down and turn the thing into a stroller buggy.
never had so much space from drivers when i've ridden it, with/without kids (or cats)…
the only downside is that the local ex-railway trail (the middlewood way) does not have wide enough access for trailers all the way along…

I have this problem in a couple of parks I take kidda too... pain in the arse...

 

[User482]

I use a croozer trailer a lot - it's amazing how many people ask if I think it's safe, yet will happily cross the road with a pram, or bomb down the motorway with their kid in the back. I've only ever had one problem with a driver passing too close, yet my daughter's life is routinely endanagered by motorists jumping red lights when I'm waiting to cross.

Perception's a funny thing...

Anyway, I did feel a teensy bit guilty yesterday picking her up from nursery, when I discovered that the trailer was covered in frost. Surprisingly, she was absolutely fine, I guess the cover keeps all the wind chill out.

 

[CarlosVanDango]

I had a cycle trailer and did loads of miles on the road with my daughter in it. she's grown out of it and we use a tag bike - (she is 7), we drive in traffic often and it is giving her good experience for when she's old enough to ride on her own in traffic!

i would say if your not a confident rider then don't use one on the road, but if you are they are fine

 

[Gravity Aided]

I have a trailer rather like the old Cannondale trailer of the unfortunate name. It mounts to the seatpost, and is more stable than the trailer I use for the doggies to ride in, which attaches to the stays . Both are now stored, or I'd post pictures. Had about 10-14 degree high temps for the last week, will warm up soon and I'll be back using them again and I'll post a picture.

 

[Leccy]

Bike trailer (hidden in the background!) was perfect for a New Year's Day ride and pub lunch, the last time my son will fit in it so we made it a good one, he'll be sad to see it go but now moved on to a trailgator whilst attempting to get the hang of his own bike.
Trailer was much admired sat outside a pub, families and dog owners all wanted to ask questions and look inside!

 

[cyclingsheep]

One thing I do notice is that the majority of you saying "using trailers on the road is fine" don't live in London. Now I've worked in London as a bicycle courier in the past and have commuted for years but I'd still be wary of using the trailer in central city. I use it regularly around Richmond/Twickenham area but I'm about to venture into Battersea with my 20 month old and have to say I'm a little nervous.

 

[ianrauk]

One thing I do notice is that the majority of you saying "using trailers on the road is fine" don't live in London. Now I've worked in London as a bicycle courier in the past and have commuted for years but I'd still be wary of using the trailer in central city. I use it regularly around Richmond/Twickenham area but I'm about to venture into Battersea with my 20 month old and have to say I'm a little nervous.

I'm SE London based. And when the roads are busy then I find it's safer then when not. This way you can keep with the traffic without having to wait for that thankfully rare, quick, close pass.

 

[ComedyPilot]

On the flag front my trailer has two whip poles with luminous fur attached to them that flap in the wind. No probs with it so far, but I start work too early to take Miss CP to school in it.

Anyway, Miss CP is getting to the stage of being trust-worthy enough to ride a tag along.

 

[EthelF]

I'm based in SW London (Wandsworth) and am pretty comfortable riding on most roads round here. I do admit I am a bit more selective about the roads I'll ride with the trailer than without (Trinity Road, no way!), but I have had no problems on the more minor roads, and very few close passes, far fewer than when riding solo. OK, I do go a bit overboard with lights on the trailer, in addition to a flag.
I have been down to Battersea Park a couple of times, stringing together mainly minor roads with a few short sections of busier ones. I also regularly head over to Richmond Park via Wimbledon & Wimbledon Common. So Richmond to Battersea should be no problem IMHO.
Still would probably draw the line at heading into the West End though.

 

[Puddles]

I trailer everywhere since I gave up the car, I say I, (how I wish sometimes) but the littlest - 2 1/2 years goes in the trailer it is a Skiiddii, I think I managed enough d's & I's there.

It has been adapted a bit - flag on the correct side, I also have rice led's around the windows and across the handle at the back as winter time when we collect the eldest from school in the dusky dark I like a nice red glow. I changed the square reflectors ont eh back for some red triangular ones.

Oh and my most recent addition is a nice big yellow sticker on the back of the trailer

Glowy lights inside

I have no worries about being on the road I generally get quite a wide berth from cars and the road I mostly travel on I share with a constant stream of petrol tankers, the handle is also a great place to mount a camera :-)

 

[Sara_H]

I trailer everywhere since I gave up the car, I say I, (how I wish sometimes) but the littlest - 2 1/2 years goes in the trailer it is a Skiiddii, I think I managed enough d's & I's there.

It has been adapted a bit - flag on the correct side, I also have rice led's around the windows and across the handle at the back as winter time when we collect the eldest from school in the dusky dark I like a nice red glow. I changed the square reflectors ont eh back for some red triangular ones.

Oh and my most recent addition is a nice big yellow sticker on the back of the trailer

Glowy lights inside

I have no worries about being on the road I generally get quite a wide berth from cars and the road I mostly travel on I share with a constant stream of petrol tankers, the handle is also a great place to mount a camera :-)

Where'd you get your sticker from, puddles? I really like it.

 

[Puddles]

I got it from Darren Harding at Locking Vinyl he is wonderful for decals and stickers you can find him here

http://www.facebook.com/groups/LockingVynil/?fref=ts

he also did my custom User76 & Squidge stickers