Parents who would like to bike with their children can opt for a bike trailer or a bike seat.
Both are safe when used properly, but many people prefer trailers because there may be less risk of a child being injured in an accident.
It is impossible to say that one is safe than the other though, because all accidents are different.
Before discussing the various safety factors,, it must be mentioned that all children who ride in a bike trailer or a bike seat must wear a properly fitting helmet.
If you do not take this precaution, your child will be at risk of a serious injury.
Regardless of the extra protection that a bike trailer may have, children should always wear helmets.
One important safety feature is a ball and socket joint that hitches to the bike.
This protects the trailer from falls because it is not going to tip over when the bike does.
It must be noted that not all bike trailers have the ball and socket joint safety feature.
If you are looking for a childrens bike trailer, it would be wise to get a bike trailer that does.
Another thing that may make a bike trailer safer than a bike seat is that your child will be strapped inside a zippered compartment that is protected by a strong frame and durable materials.
In the case of an accident, your child will have that extra layer of protection.
There are several things that you should be aware of that may affect the safety of a trailer.
Since they ride low to the ground, motorists may have limited visibility, especially if it is not very bright outside.
Attaching a brightly colored flag that is three and a half to seven feet high will assure that motorists see the trailer.
In addition to riding low, trailers are also wider than the bicycle, so they can stick out further than you may realize.
You should avoid riding on narrow shoulders where there is traffic.
If you have to ride on the shoulder of a road where there is traffic, cars are likely to slow down when they pass you.
You should ride defensively though and not depend on drivers to slow down.
You may also need to pay more attention as you pass bushes or other obstacles because you do not want the trailer to bump into anything.
This can throw you off balance and cause an accident.
Just try to avoid passing too closely to anything on your side, because the trailer is wider than you are.
Finally, you should try not to make any sharp turns, because this can tip the trailer over.