Babies around 9 months old are just becoming strong enough to hold up their necks, so it is not recommended that infants younger than 12 months ride in a bicycle seat, trailer, sidecar or any other carrier. However, when they are ready for a free ride, these safety tips can help passengers in a child-trailer or rear-mounted seat enjoy the experience. 

Top Safety Tips

• Infants younger than 12 months are too young to sit in a rear bike seat and should not be carried on a bicycle. Do not carry infants in backpacks or a front carrier on a bike.


• It is not recommended to seat babies in slumped positions for long periods of time.


• The International Bicycle Fund recommends that helmets be round and not aero shaped for infants riding in bike seats and trailers and it should meet American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) safety standards. The helmet should cover the forehead and not sit on the back of the head.


• Keep in mind that rides in the infant bike seat will be much rougher than the one you experience in the saddle so choose your ride carefully.


• Many trailers have five-point harnesses, rolling cages, reflectors and safety flags. Using a cover can also help prevent materials from flying into your infant's eyes.

What You Need to Know