Comparison Between the WeeRide and a Rear-Mounted Carrier
| WeeRide | Rear-Mounted Carrier | |
|---|---|---|
Mounting the Bike |
Secure child in seat while bicycle is supported, then mount as usual. | Secure child in seat, tip bike considerably to mount. Bicycle may overbalance because of the weight of child. Difficult to mount for rider as leg must be swung over child. |
Balance |
Seat is installed on bicycles centre of gravity. Bicycle remains fully upright and in control during mounting. Child is always in adults control, so cannot lean to the side. | Bike must be tilted to mount, which can cause overbalancing. Child leans sideways to see, or dangles to the side while sleeping, causing balance problems. |
Child Visibility |
Child is directly in front of you and in your constant care and control. | Child is behind you and cannot be seen. Child can remove helmet, unstrap belts, and dangle limbs out. |
Limbs in Relation to Spokes |
Child cannot come into contact with wheels | Spoke guard must be installed to protect feet and even hands. These sometimes need to be purchased extra, or may come undone. |
Napping Child |
Cushioned head rest placed in front allows child to lean forward and nap in comfort | Child often leans forward and dangles out of seat. Children have been known to hit passing poles and bushes. It is common to see adults riding with one hand steering and one hand reaching behind to support a small head. |
View |
|
Child sees mostly the back of the adult and must lean to sideways to see anything else. This upsets the balance of the bike. Conversation is impossible unless the adult turns around. |
10 Rules for Safe Use of Bicycle-Mounted Child Seats
1. Do not transport children under 1 year or over 18 Kilos/40 lb in a bicycle-mounted child seat.
2. The passenger must wear a crash-tested helmet when transported in a bicycle-mounted child seat.
3. The passenger always should be belted into the child seat.
4. The child seat should prevent the child's feet being caught in the spokes
5. The child seat should be mounted securely on the bicycle.
6. The seat should provide adequate head support for the child.
7. The seat should be installed at a bicycle shop by an experienced person
8. Always lean the bicycle against a wall for stability when the rider or the child mounts or dismounts.
9. Recognize that, when transporting a child in a child seat, bicycles require a longer braking distance, are less maneuverable, and are prone to swerve when the child moves suddenly
10. Never leave a child unattended in a bicycle-mounted child seat.