Disclaimer: Do what you feel most comfortable with and check with your pediatrician if that makes you feel better about when you can start biking with your baby. My husband and I have been biking our whole lives and raced. We feel confident in our bike abilities and safety. Every child and family is different. This is purely our story.
When our first was born, we couldn’t wait to start sharing our passion with her. I remember the day I was cleared to start working out again and moving her swing into the garage so I could start riding Zwift again. She fell asleep immediately. I biked so much while I was pregnant with her I wasn’t surprised. I Zwifted 10 miles on her due date—because of course I did. My first ride on the road after having her is still a core memory for me. And picking up her used bike trailer was a highlight. She was only a few months old, and I couldn’t wait to get her hooked to the bike. Of course, I was still paranoid and ran alongside my husband, checking on her the whole time during her maiden voyage. She loved it! Giggles all the way. By winter, we were getting longer rides in, and it was perfect. We kept our pace slow and never felt unsafe with her or cars/people around us.
When we moved to a more ‘American stereotypical neighborhood’—you know the kind, cookie-cutter houses lined up, parks sprinkled around—it was heaven. There were bike lanes and a beautiful separate bike path. I set out on much longer rides with the trailer. When we got pregnant with our second, biking took a bit of a back seat since it wasn’t as comfortable that time. I ended up running more during that pregnancy. After she was born, she was a tiny but extremely strong little one. We actually started biking with her even sooner than we did our first. First, we had her in a pack, and my husband would bike with her until I felt comfortable. Then she would either be on my back snuggled up while I towed the older one, or when the older one was on a Shotgun seat. And then she graduated to the trailer. Park dates were so much fun. And between meetings, it was how I could get her to nap! Nothing like fresh air.
I loved biking with them when they were little. Some days were harder than others. Sometimes we had blowouts or meltdowns, and I’d find myself nursing on a park bench (if I was lucky) or leaning against a tree. When they got older, I’d listen to them bicker at each other. Sometimes I’d find myself stopping and using the classic, “If you don’t stop this minute, we are turning around and going home…” Whoops. But I found that bringing books for them to read, lots of snacks (surprise!), and each of them having their own blanket was key. Of course, that didn’t always stop the “Her head is on my side!” or “Her shoes are touching mine!”
When we had our third, we had moved again—away from tree-lined sidewalks and into tree-lined hills and trails. It is beautiful here, but the bike lanes are mountain bike trails and fire roads. Things were going to look a bit different this time around.
Of course, I was more confident in biking with littles, so throwing a baby into the mix again was no big deal. I knew right from the beginning that as soon as I could have him on my back, I could start biking with him. We got our ‘mini van’ (a.k.a. the best bike trailer ever), and away we went. I’m still a bit more hesitant here because of the lack of bike infrastructure—something we are working on. I’ve met some incredible people in town who are passionate about it, and I truly believe they are going to make a huge difference! Now that the girls are getting older, I cannot wait to transition to this next stage of truly riding with them.
Gear & Essentials for Biking with a Baby
If you’re thinking about biking with your baby, here are some of the things we found essential:
1) A Helmet for the Baby – This was really hard for us to find at first—most helmets are just too big for those first few months. And when we did find one small enough, it would push their poor little heads so far forward they looked extremely uncomfortable—especially if they fell asleep. Regardless, they wore it. When they were too small, we used car seat head supports to keep them more stable.
2) Bike Trailer – This was our preferred setup. It felt the safest, and ours doubled as a stroller, which was so nice for biking somewhere and then being able to detach and walk around. The kids could nap in there, snack, and stay warm and dry if the weather wasn’t ideal.
3) Baby Carrier – I used the carrier for our second and third a lot. I’d put them on my back and off we’d go—especially when my oldest was on the Mac-Ride. That way, I wouldn’t even need to hook up the trailer, making quick rides to the park that much easier.
4) Snacks & Blankets – Do not, I repeat, do not forget snacks. Biking + kids = a constant need for snacks. I always packed a variety of easy-to-eat options and made sure each kid had their own blanket in the trailer for extra comfort.
5) Books & Small Toys – When they were old enough, I let them bring books to flip through, which sometimes reduced the “she’s touching me!” drama. Small toys or stuffed animals also helped keep them entertained for longer rides.
6) Weather-Appropriate Gear – If it was colder, we bundled them up with layers, hats, and mittens. In summer, we made sure they had plenty of airflow and hydration. A rain cover for the trailer was also a must-have.
7) A Good Attitude & Flexibility – Because let’s be honest, you will have unplanned stops, someone will have to pee, there will be whining. But with a little patience (and a lot of snacks), you’ll make some incredible memories.
Biking with a baby is one of those things that looks crazy to some people and totally normal to others. But for us, it was just life. And now, I get to watch my kids love biking as much as we do. It’s messy, it’s sometimes frustrating, but it’s always worth it.
Have you biked with your little ones? What setup worked best for your family? Share your favorite tips and gear recommendations—I’m always looking for ways to make the ride smoother (and maybe with fewer snack breaks… but who am I kidding?)
Run Teach Bike 