Helmets in a bike trailer—yes or no?
It’s now not as intuitive as you may assume. At the surface stage, it seems to make high experience to constantly defend a toddler’s head with the useful resource of a helmet.
However, not all parents agree or even the bike trailer industry does no longer suggest the use of helmets under some occasions.
The industry-huge recommendation is that toddler a elderly 1 and up have to continually wear a helmet even as riding in a bike trailer, irrespective of neighborhood laws. But, it is not recc that toddlers under 1 year of age put on a helmet as it adds extra weight to the neck and places the head in an uncomfortable position.
If you want to know why some dad and mom pick out in opposition to having their a toddler need a Helmet in a Bike Trailer keep Reading!
I also wrote an in-depth publish about how to ride with an infant in a bike trailer. Check it out here.
Table of Contents
What Burley says about helmets in bike trailers
Consistent with burley, that’s one of the main bike trailer producers based totally inside the united states, they country:
“if the trailer is being used in bike mode, yes, the toddler must always wear a helmet. A helmet will guard him or her and also help develop the addiction of usually riding with a bike helmet.”
Right here’s a beneficial pre-journey tick list through burley to make sure you have a secure and clean experience.
But it’s now not as black and white for lots parents…
3 reasons parents object to helmets
You may be surprised to hear that there are numerous exact affordable objections that some mother and father have to helmets on toddlers. At the same time as they may be legitimate, it’s miles crucial to train kids at the importance of safety at a young age.
The helmet makes my toddler’s head warm
Child helmets, specifically for toddlers, are designed with safety and durability in mind first. Consequently, air ventilation and luxury aren’t the top priorities with regards to layout and characteristic.
Answer: if an infant is sweaty inside the bike trailer, then you can employ the air flow available on maximum bike trailers. In the event that they need some more air, ride tougher! 
.
The helmet places my toddler’s head in an uncomfortable ahead position
This might be the most affordable complaint approximately toddler helmets. Depending on the dimensions and in shape of the helmet, the toddler’s head might be uncomfortable with the lower back of the helmet pushing their head forward a bit. As an example, a sporty or huge helmet with a bulging bottom may want to make it uncomfortable.
Answer: get a helmet that has a flat back, in order to allow for the toddler’s head to relaxation with no trouble upright. The giro scamp is an incredible helmet that has a close-fitting layout in an effort to maintain your toddler’s head comfy against the seat.
Carrying a helmet is not required in our area
Many country and neighborhood guidelines do not require the use of helmets, which is any other motive a few dad and mom determine to opt-out.
Answer: it’s helpful to think of a bike helmet like a seat belt. Despite the fact that it’s not required, it’s nevertheless a terrific safety precaution within the occasion of a crash.
3 reasons to wear a helmet in a bike trailer
There are three stable motives for toddler to wear helmets in a bike trailer:
Helmets teach safety precautions
Like sporting a seat belt, wearing a helmet allows toddlers get into the habit of taking safety precautions while doing something that is potentially volatile. Another example is sporting a lifejacket even as out on a boat.
Helmets teach chance and consequences
Carrying a helmet is an clean visual for toddlers to companion risk with results. With the aid of carrying a helmet, they analyze that defensive the head especially is an crucial thing to do.
Helmets ought to store a toddler’s lifestyles
In the unlikely event of a crash, a shielding material surrounding the toddler’s skull should store them in a existence-threatening scenario. Despite the fact that i have by no means come near experiencing a crash or twist of fate while pulling a bike trailer, having the helmet and a strong bike trailer deliver me peace of mind if it had been to ever manifest.
The helmet debate
The talk on whether helmets ought to be required is a never-ending can of worms. Governments try to lessen the dangers of fatalities by using mandating that each one cyclists put on helmets, at the same time as on the identical time there’s proof to reveal that making it mandatory reduces the enchantment of riding a bike normal.
It seems innocent and affordable on the floor to make helmets required, however if you dig deeper into the research on the dangers of biking, you find that there may be evidence that indicates that human beings are tons less probable to pick out to experience a bike if they may be required to put on a helmet. In other phrases, it’s an inconvenience.
In places that region high significance on cycling as opposed to driving, like denmark and japan, it’s far simply very uncommon to discover human beings carrying helmets. And they do no longer have high charges of head accidents.
So the argument will become that it’s no longer cycling that is dangerous—it’s riding around car that pose the greatest danger. So with that good judgment, folks who are strolling or going for walks next to visitors ought to also wear helmets.
However need to toddlers be required to wear helmets?
My opinion is that toddlers, specially toddlers, have to be guided and knowledgeable to take safety precautions whilst driving bike, mainly around car. If which means the usage of a helmet, then mother and father can educate as they see match. We regularly reflect on consideration on legal guidelines and regulations as black and white—you both ought to be pressured to wear a helmet or be left for your own choices.
Each options aren’t ideal, and there’s generally a 3rd option: training. Toddlers can be taught from a younger age about dangers and consequences, and biking is a great vicinity to start.
Conclusion
Once I began studying to write this text, i was ignorant of just how hotly debated the helmet debate is!
In the long run, we’re all parents and just want what’s satisfactory for our kiddos. So long as we are speaking sincerely, teaching, and leading through example, our children will discover ways to make the most accountable and knowledgeable selections about their cycling habits.
Want help finding the right bike trailer?
If you want assist locating the right bike trailer for you, My recommend trailer for the majority is the scwhinn joyrider, that is an low priced double-seater that converts beautifully to a stroller. Test out my full evaluate with pics here.
Test out the remaining guide to buying for a bike trailer for extra assist with deciding on a trailer. I also have compiled a listing of the top bike trailers for each common state of affairs, which you may check out right here.
Trip on!
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