disappointed rant..

[lph]

ah, sheesh, it's the "cycling is incredibly dangerous" reflex kicking in. Isn't that annoying...

We got the same from my in-laws. We rode our bikes everywhere, they talked about it with awe and amazement. We had a baby, they helped us buy a trailer, we rode everywhere with him we could, on closed roads, quiet streets, bike paths and sidewalks. I overheard MIL "bragging" to some friends in a shocked tone about how we "took him in the trailer everywhere, right out on the motorway in all the traffic and cars!"

At the time I flipped and went all righteous and pontificating on her, but it's just that she had never had need to differentiate between the risk level on the motorway and on a quiet residential street because she drives her **** car everywhere.

[limewave]

I pulled DD in a trailer all the time before DS came a long. My parent's completely flipped out about it. They eventually learned to bite their tongue. We'd often do 30 mile rides. I even brought DD along to a weekly women's group ride.

We have the burley solo, which seats only one and is therefore narrower--we could really hug the side of the road.

[hebe]

Thank you for all the replies.

Bluetree, your journey sounds wonderful. Teignmouth is so beautiful and you passed through such stunning places. I live in Wiltshire, near Avebury. I should say that they are two of the least "fuddy-duddy" folk I could imagine - considerate, loving, assertive, widely travelled and adventurous. I was honestly stunned by their opinions.

Limewave, we were looking at the Burley Solo too. It's encouraging that you had so much wear from it. lph, Crankin, Muirenn and RedRhodie, thank you. With such limited experience it's sometimes hard to tell if I am being over-ambitious, especially after such a bad start with the bike seat , but we only get one go at raising a child, right? She absolutely adored the Burley that we had on holiday and we enjoyed riding with it. I can also hire bikes + trailers locally so will have another go before committing the cash.

Thank you again.

[PamNY]

I can't speak as a parent, but speaking as a former child, I'm glad my parents were somewhat adventurous.

Have fun with your travels!

[PinkBike]

that was a really nice thing to say PamNY. +1 to everyone else.

[Jones]

I think when people are scared they like to blame the activity instead of admitting to the fear themselves. It is so much easier to say bike riding is unsafe then to say I am scared to ride a bike in traffic. I don't think your friends meant to offend, I think they are scared to ride a bike.
Jones

[Biciclista]

ps, bottom line, they're your kids!
we want to see pictures!

[alice]

I can't speak as a parent, but speaking as a former child, I'm glad my parents were somewhat adventurous.

I went everywhere in a bike trailer as a kid, and those are some of my favorite memories of childhood!

[hebe]

hey everyone - another quick update on here. The summer is over and I'm towing Small Girl again. She will start school in a year's time and I am determined not to be part of the congestion around the local schools so am planning to become a more frequent trailer user in the meantime. She is so sweet, whenever I shortcut across a bit of green she shouts "Back on the road, Mummy!" In her nursery log-book one of the staff has written about how Small Girl told her that Mummy would come and collect her on the bike at lunchtime <3 Autumn has a strong foothold now and we are getting some very bumpy rides over paths carpeted with acorns and beech nuts.

The local schools that I've visited so far has been very positive about cycling there, and both have offered to provide space to store the trailer during the day if I don't want to tow it home and back empty, one also offered to store my bike as well! It has been very inspiring.

[Sardine]

Good for you hebe. Now that the school term has started again I'm back to dodging the school run 4x4s pulling over without signalling and car doors opening on my commute to work. On a positive note, I've noticed more parents riding to school with their kids and a few more trailers and cargo bikes too. The kids always look like they're enjoying the ride, though I don't blame your little one for wanting a smoother ride. It's conker season too of course. Nice to know that the school is being supportive. Maybe we are making progress, albeit a bit slowly