Kids in the Trailer
My friend Virginia sends this question:
“You’re the only person I know who commutes regularly with kids in a burley. Do you ever ride on Third Avenue? Is it safe with your daughter in the back? I am a bit apprehensive because I’m not sure if motorists are used to the trailer (with or without the orange flag).”
I don’t think 3rd is really unsafe, it’s more unpleasant. Because it is 3-lane oneway street you can take a whole lane with a trailer and it’s pretty simple for cars to go around you. But the speed and volume of traffic on 3rd is rough if you are on a bike. Main, Riverside, 1st, and even Sprague seem like much better ways of getting east to west downtown.
With kids in a trailer downtown I would consider these things:
- It’s easy to flip a trailer going up and down curbs. I stopped sidewalk riding after this happened once. I think you are safer for you and your kid staying in the street, avoiding multiple curbs and going in and out of traffic.
- Don’t mis-judge your speed. Trailers slow you down more than you might realize. Make sure you don’t get caught in interesections because you can’t get through them fast enough.
- Be visible. That means flags, lights, and bright colored helmets.
- Take the whole lane if you need to. All downtown streets are multi-laned so cars can pass you easily. Cars can see you better in the middle.
Hope that helps.
Of course you will want to keep the net on that Burley trailer securely attatched (unlike the picture). It is amazing how many people I see riding without the net. You kids face is just a couple of feet away from your tire and all of the road debris that it kicks up.
Great advice — thanks! You should give lessons. I’m serious. I think people would ride their bikes more if someone rides with them through traffic a couple of times (or if the city designates an entire lane to cyclists in the downtown area). It lessens the intimidation factor. Parks and Rec could have a class called, “Bike to Work 101.” With gas prices going up, I think more people would sign up.
Hear hear. When I’m riding downtown I take the entire lane because cars have PLENTY of room to switch lanes and go around.
I agree with all the comments, because I have a very vested interest in the safey of the cyclist and the rider.