commuting with a kid

[shoopee]

I've been riding my bike to work for years, but my bike is really crappy and falling apart and now I have a baby to tote along to daycare as well. So I want to: 1) buy a new, nicer, reasonably lightweight commuting bike. The commute isn't too intense -- a couple of flat miles each way; 2) I'll be attaching some sort of little-person transportation system to this bike as well. So I'm curious about how folks weigh in on the great trailer v. rear seat debate, specifically for commuting in-town. I'll be riding on reasonably busy and relatively narrow streets. So there are two questions: what kind of bike do people recommend for commuting (something under $1000) and do folks recommend lugging the kid in a trailer or a seat?
Thanks for any and all advise!
P.S. I'm in the Chicago area if that helps to know.

[FlyingScot]

How old is your baby?

[shoopee]

right now he's 9 months, but I won't riding with him until he's a year. I'm just itching to get a new bike so I'm starting the research now.

[KnottedYet]

When my kiddo was little, I pulled him in a trailer. I liked the trailer because it was large and visible, he could have toys and books and juice in there with him, he was covered, and if I tipped the bike over he would stay relatively safe.

It was *wide* though! And I was riding on pretty easy-going streets.

Here in Seattle I've seen a few folks commuting on the busy downtown streets with little side-car style kid carriers. Very narrow and right next to the parent so you can see each other and the total "vehicle" isn't any longer than a regular bike. Not sure how the coupler works, if the bike tips what happens to the side-car, but they look really ideal for maneuvering through city streets.

This looks like what I've been seeing: http://www.bicycletrailers.com/Chariot-SideCarrier.pro

[Tri Girl]

That's the coolest side car trailer ever!!! I don't have kids and don't plan on having any- but this must might make me want one (ok- not really, but it looks like it'd be really fun to "tow").
Pretty cool!

[Blueberry]

Now I want to rig that for my pup! Though he's way too big - an excuse to rescue a dog??

CA

[MomOnBike]

Speaking as a mother of grown kids, I really like that rig. I've always been concerned with the tow-behind trailers for communication and dust reasons, among others. Kids often look so miserable so far from the parent on the bike.

The advantage of a Burley-type trailer is that drivers have been acclimated to expecting a baby in them, so they might be more careful around them. They're also pretty darn visible.

I'm not a fan of the rear seat idea for balance reasons.

[HillSlugger]

My coworker has a bike seat for his son that mounts to the stem or something so that the seat is up front. It's supposed to keep the child's feet out of the wheels.

[boy in a kilt]

Both of our kids have done time in trailers and both seemed to enjoy it. During colder months, you can thoroughly cover them with blankets and pull down the plastic cover. Screen keep things out and other things in. Drivers tend to be pretty aware of them, although putting blinkies and/or high-vis triangles help.

[Blueberry]

My coworker has a bike seat for his son that mounts to the stem or something so that the seat is up front. It's supposed to keep the child's feet out of the wheels.

Is this what you're talking about: http://longleafbicycles.blogspot.com/2008/06/child-carryin-bike-perfected.html

Looks pretty cool!

CA

[xeney]

We have a Chariot trailer and our daughter likes it fine; we use it on the bike trail exclusively, usually for rides over 10 miles. We are about to get a Wee Ride front child seat (http://www.amazon.com/WeeRide-Kangaroo-Child-Bike-Seat/dp/B000FIH0EG) for around town, though, because it's too hard to lock the trailer up at the grocery store, etc. (And the Chariot with accessories costs about $500, so I'm not leaving it unlocked.)

I like the idea of a front-mounted child seat but the idea of mounting it to the stem gives me the willies. We're going to put this one on a mixte with albatross bars. I see these around town a lot and it really seems like a great setup.

I like both trailers and seats ... I think they serve different purposes.

[singletrackmind]

I went with a trailer and most of the time stayed on side streets. If I were to tip over the trailer would remain upright and same if the trailer tipped over, I'd remain upright, baby suspended in his harness (yes it happened, no harm but for one very angry little boy....don't forget the helmet).
Everything went in there, toys, juice, pillow, blanket, food, etc. Mine was such that a cable could easily be run through it for locking up. There was also room for small side-trips to the store.

Can't say that about a baby seat, which I did get my foot caught in waaaayyyy back when I was a passenger in one. Then again, tons of people use them without a problem. I know I was dropped helmetless from one several times without too much damage.....

Something I've noticed in my area whilst riding around with a two-kid trailer:
1) Surprisingly many didn't realize there was a kid in there.
2) Motorists are more careful when there's a flag on it.
3) But not all motorists all the time, so be really careful.