A child seat, also known as a bike seat for children, is a device that is primarily useful to secure a child in a vehicle. The bike seats are usually made of plastic and metal, and it attaches to the vehicle’s seat. The most common child bike seats are rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster seats.
Rear-facing bike seats are for children who weigh less than 20 pounds and have a height of lesser than 40 inches. The child seats are usually utilized until the child is at least two years old or reaches the maximum weight limit for the seat. Forward-facing seats are for children who weigh more than 20 pounds and have a height of more than 40 inches. The child bike seats are helpful until the child is at least four years old or reaches the maximum weight limit for the seat. Booster seats are for children who weigh more than 40 pounds and have a height of more than 4 feet 9 inches.
TYPES OF CHILD BIKE SEAT
- Most child bike seat types are usually made out of metal and plastic. It has a metal frame with a plastic seat that can be adjusted to fit the child’s height.
- Another type is called a trailer child bike seat. This type attaches to the back wheel and has two wheels on either side for stability. The trailer bike seat usually has an adjustable handlebar for steering and an adjustable footrest for comfort.
- The third type is called a bicycle saddle bag or backpack carrier. This type attaches to the front wheel and has one wheel on either side for stability, like a trailer child bike seat; it also has straps around the shoulders that facilitate easy portability.
BENEFITS OF CHILD BIKE SEAT
The benefits of using a child bike seat are:
– It provides safety to the child.
– It is easy to install.
– It can be used on any bike.
– It can be used by children of different ages.
CHILD BIKE SEAT PURCHASING TIPS
- Choosing child bike seats are an important task involving the child’s safety. There are several influential factors to consider while purchasing a bike seat for children, such as the child’s age, the child’s weight, and the parent’s height.
- Front-mounted seats are more popular because they allow for better visibility and control over your bike. Rear-mounted seats are more stable and offer better protection for the child in an accident.
- If a child’s age is below one, there will be a need for a rear-mounted seat with a five-point harness system that can be adjusted to fit their size as they grow.
CONCLUSION
The choice of bike seats for children influences comfort and safety; thus, there are many factors to consider before purchasing, such as,
1) The age of the child
2) The weight of the child
3) The height of the child
4) The distance from the seat to handlebars
5) Frequency of usage
6) Budget
7) The compatibility of the bike seat with the bike
The other factors, such as colour, material, the reputation of the brand, etc., are also influential in the decision. It is recommended to have a healthy budget to explore various quality ranges. It would be best to opt for brands that provide good warranties and guarantees.
