Plenty of parents cycle while carrying two young children on their bike and there is no reason why you cannot join them, as long as you invest in the proper equipment.
In fact, as well as helping you to stay fit and healthy, a cycle ride to the nursery will be much quicker than walking and far more stimulating for young children than sitting in a car.
Different types of equipment are suitable for the task and the choice will come down to budget and personal preferences.
A rear child seat is probably the most popular and should come with a safety harness, a headrest to support the child should he fall asleep and foot guards to prevent small feet getting caught in the rear wheel.
These cost anything upwards of around £50 and are suitable for children aged from about eight months to five years.
Front seats are fine for short distances, but those going on longer trips should beware that they tend to make pedalling a bit awkward.
There are two kinds of front child seats. One is a similar to the rear seat, with a harness and foot straps. It is suitable for children aged around eight months to three years and is priced from around £30. The other is a crossbar seat, which clamps onto the frame of the bike and has foot rests mounted on the downtube.
The child will not be strapped in, so needs to hold onto the middle of the handlebar. Children aged between two and five years should be fine and prices start at around £25.
Upwards of £200 can buy a two-wheeled trailer that fixes to the back of an adult bike and most will carry two children aged between nine months and six years as long as their combined weight is no more than eight stones.
Another option is a trailer bike, which consists of a bike frame without a front wheel. It attaches to the rear of an adult bike and allows the child to help with the pedalling while the adult steers and brakes. These are suitable for children aged between three and nine years and prices start from £140.
Remember, whichever option you choose (with the possible exception of the seated trailer), your child should wear a suitable cycle helmet – if the bike falls over, or you are hit by another vehicle, their heads can still make contact with the ground.
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