Bicycle Attachment/co-pilot Bike Trailer

Are you talking about the thing that turns your bike into a tandem? It's a wheel with handle bars and pedals? We use one and love it. My step-daughter didn't learn how to ride a bike until she was pretty old (11) so we got it for her so that she could join us for family bike rides and it was great. My 7-year-old used it a lot last summer and it helped him make the transition from training wheels to two wheels. We had tried many times before but he just wasn't getting it. After a few weeks of being on the tandem regularly, he was ready to try two wheels again and was successful. My youngest, age 4 last summer, also used the tandem even though his feet didn't reach the pedals. He still had fun on the bike, and even though he can ride on his own his teeny bike can't keep up with us so we still use it on family rides.

We have also used the other kind of trailer where the kids sit and get towed behind (like a little bug) and that was very cool, but more for toddlers.

Are you talking about the bike trailers that attach to the back and are separate or the attachments that looks like a bicycle extended from the back of the bike?

We had a Hitchiker II and both of our children loved it! This encouraged them to want to ride a 2 wheeler without training wheels. I think it is perfectly safe as long as the child is old enough to know to stay on the bike. It also allows you to be able to go longer distances. Have Fun!

My son is five and we've had one for about a year. It works great, but you do have to get used to taking slightly wider turns etc, so the back doesn't hinge so far to your side... anyway...

My son has been riding a bike since he turned 3 so I didn't get it to teach him, just to keep him attached to me so we could go longer distances and ride on busier streets. The smallest I could find has a 20" wheel which was tough at first because he couldn't easily put his foot down on the ground at stop lights or anything. Other than that, it's been great.

HTH
T.

y.

I got my youngest son a trail-a-bike for Christmas. I found one used on craigslist, as new ones can be quite pricey. He and I both love it! The older kids are upset they never had one, lol! The first trip out, my son was a little nervous, but once he realized that he WASN'T going to fall (I proved it by being a 'crazy driver' who wobbled, and we didn't fall) he didn't want to get off! IMO, it was a great investment, because now we can go on family bike rides and I don't have to spend the entire time off of my bike, helping him along :)

Honestly...we bought one, used it one time...and my son learned to ride a two wheeler the following week (ARRG!). I would only recommend it for 3 and 4 year olds, kids having problems learning to balance on a two wheel bike without training wheels, or if you are going to do long bike rides with a new/young biker often. Otherwise, save yourself the money and teach her to ride on two wheels. My youngest son learned at 4 years old. It depends on your theory...but I think it just slows down transitioning to two wheel bike riding (JMO).

Also...if you do decide to buy one...check out farm/home stores like Farm&Fleet, Big Red, Fleet Farm, etc. because I bought one brand new for $99 from Farnm & Fleet.