# Need adult tricycle with child seat. Urgent help needed. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 15, 2008, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-adult-tricycle-with-child-seat-urgent-help-needed/468003 "2008-10-15T03:46:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-adult-tricycle-with-child-seat-urgent-help-needed/468003/1 "2008-10-15T03:46:32Z")
I need to buy an adult tricycle and I need to install a child seat to it. I want to buy one ASAP, but have no idea it you can install the child seat in an adult trike. I am not sure if I am allowed to link to an online shop, but just in case, search amazon for “Westport Adult 3-Wheel Bike” to see the trike I want. I would much prefer a rear mounted child seat, but have no idea if it is possible to mount on the trike (getting rid of the basket). I live in the boonies. It’ll have to be an online source to buy it and checking it at a store is not a possibility. Anyone have any experience on this? Thanks a lot for your help. ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-adult-tricycle-with-child-seat-urgent-help-needed/468003/2 "2008-10-15T03:52:37Z")
It would be no problem to have someone fabricate a frame that mounts in the rear basket that would accommodate a child’s seat. I’m sure a local bike shop/mechanic could do it for cheap. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-adult-tricycle-with-child-seat-urgent-help-needed/468003/3 "2008-10-15T04:03:57Z")
Is there a reason a regular bicycle isn’t up to the job here? ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-adult-tricycle-with-child-seat-urgent-help-needed/468003/4 "2008-10-15T04:04:30Z")
> [@Darryl\_Lict](#): > > It would be no problem to have someone fabricate a frame that mounts in the rear basket that would accommodate a child’s seat. I’m sure a local bike shop/mechanic could do it for cheap. Bike shops? Heh! We are lucky we have a drugstore. 🙂 I need something that works out of the box. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-adult-tricycle-with-child-seat-urgent-help-needed/468003/5 "2008-10-15T04:05:51Z")
> [@Mr.Moto](#): > > Is there a reason a regular bicycle isn’t up to the job here? I have 3 year old daughter. She’s heavy, and I am afraid the bike will tilt. I feel safer with a tricycle, at least until after she can ride her own to school. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-adult-tricycle-with-child-seat-urgent-help-needed/468003/6 "2008-10-15T04:20:24Z")
Understand. [This company](http://www.xtracycle.com/) makes a highly rated product that extends the bike wheelbase to add cargo capacity. Child seats placed on the Xtracycle sit much lower and improve handling a good bit. I also got along well personally with a Burley trailer - I could fit two kids in there and gear down. Again - the kids are low, which improves handling. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-adult-tricycle-with-child-seat-urgent-help-needed/468003/7 "2008-10-15T04:34:08Z")
[How about this](http://www.amazon.com/InStep-Quick-Bike-Trailer-Black/dp/B000IORQ14/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1224045072&sr=8-15) [See also](http://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/specialty.html) ---
**Author:** ![Panurge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/fbc32d/32.png) [@Panurge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Panurge)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-adult-tricycle-with-child-seat-urgent-help-needed/468003/8 "2008-10-15T07:54:43Z")
If you have the money, I highly recommend a [Christiania Bicycle](http://www.christianiabikes.com/). We have had one for a year and are extremely pleased with it. If the child is very young, you can mount a car seat in the box, and later the child can use the built-in seat + seatbelts. [The Nihola Bike](http://www.nihola.info/) is popular here as well, but I prefer the Christiania bike. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-adult-tricycle-with-child-seat-urgent-help-needed/468003/9 "2008-10-15T08:19:47Z")
If it involves children and a tricycle, go for something like the Christiana or Nihola configuration (two wheels in front, one at back) not the Westport (other way around). The former is called a “tadpole” trike and is much more stable. The one wheel in front configuration of tricycle is inherently unstable and dangerous. We have had threads discussing why: I don’t have time to link right now. There is a reason Europeans design their child friendly trikes in a tadpole configuration. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-adult-tricycle-with-child-seat-urgent-help-needed/468003/10 "2008-10-15T11:29:20Z")
Note that the Christiania bikes are not sold here in the U.S. because of product liability concerns. ---
**Author:** ![Panurge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/fbc32d/32.png) [@Panurge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Panurge)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-adult-tricycle-with-child-seat-urgent-help-needed/468003/11 "2008-10-15T12:52:44Z")
Hmm - I didn’t know that. It surprises me that there should be any product liability issues. I consider the Christiania Bike very safe and sturdy. They are approved by Danish law for transportation of 2 passengers. In stead You could go for a [Sort Jernhest (Black Iron Horse)](http://www.dutchbikes.us/sortejernhest/), the third major Danish cargo bike company. They have a different steering mechanism, but they are very reliable. And BTW: Nice to see you here again, **Sigene**. I’m sorry I never got to show you around Copenhagen, but I was very, very busy when you were here. Hopefully I can make it up to you some other time. ---
**Author:** ![Panurge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/fbc32d/32.png) [@Panurge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Panurge)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-adult-tricycle-with-child-seat-urgent-help-needed/468003/12 "2008-10-15T13:06:23Z")
NETA: The standard Christiania Bike may carry up to 4 passengers in the box, not two. And I haven’t been able to find anything on why they can’t be found in the US. Anyone got a cite for the “product liability” thing? ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-adult-tricycle-with-child-seat-urgent-help-needed/468003/13 "2008-10-15T15:17:27Z")
The [Workman Family Chariot](http://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page39.html) fits the bill, but it’s a bit expensive ($1299). > [@Mighty\_Girl](#): > > I have 3 year old daughter. She’s heavy, and I am afraid the bike will tilt. I feel safer with a tricycle, at least until after she can ride her own to school. If that’s the only reason for preferring a trike to a bike, I think a 2-wheeled child trailer like the ones **astro** linked to would work fine. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-adult-tricycle-with-child-seat-urgent-help-needed/468003/14 "2008-10-15T15:31:05Z")
> [@Panurge](#): > > NETA: The standard Christiania Bike may carry up to 4 passengers in the box, not two. And I haven’t been able to find anything on why they can’t be found in the US. Anyone got a cite for the “product liability” thing? Not a cite, but if there’s no seatbelt or tethering system in that box, I wouldn’t expect it to pass muster. Can’t tell if the kids in the picture are belted in or not. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-adult-tricycle-with-child-seat-urgent-help-needed/468003/15 "2008-10-15T15:36:27Z")
> [@Panurge](#): > > Anyone got a cite for the “product liability” thing? Again, not a direct cite, but [this cycling blogger](http://andrewbikes.blogspot.com/2007/01/minuteman-bike-path-ride-on-christiania.html) has been trying to get a Christiana Bicycle dealership started in the U.S. As yet, he has not been successful and cites reluctance on Christiania’s part as the reason. :shrug: ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-adult-tricycle-with-child-seat-urgent-help-needed/468003/16 "2008-10-15T16:06:56Z")
> [@Panurge](#): > > NETA: The standard Christiania Bike may carry up to 4 passengers in the box, not two. And I haven’t been able to find anything on why they can’t be found in the US. Anyone got a cite for the “product liability” thing? When I enquired about getting one here in the states I got an email from Christiania bikes telling me such. I can forward the email in a PM if you want. Bummer about not meeting. I was there Dec 2007 and again this last February. I wanted to be there in the summer but it didn’t work out. I don’t know when my next trip is, but I’m looking forward to it. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-adult-tricycle-with-child-seat-urgent-help-needed/468003/17 "2008-10-15T16:13:24Z")
> [@Sigene](#): > > When I enquired about getting one here in the states I got an email from Christiania bikes telling me such. > > I can forward the email in a PM if you want. I am assuming that the Christiania bike’s “child compartment” would have to be significantly retooled for the American market? Heck, even with seatbelts, having the kids in the front, in and of itself, would probably cause the bike to fail in safety tests. … **Panurge** , don’t forget that medical bills can cause an American family considerable financial hardship. The following is an assumption of mine, based on a further assumption that Denmark has universal government-sponsored healthcare: If a kid falls out of a Christiana bike in Denmark and injures his head on the pavement, the child’s family will be grief-stricken but they won’t have a significant financial burden for which they will seek redress. If that same kid is American, the family may well sue the company and win damages to cover the child’s medical costs plus pain & suffering, etc. Maybe a typical Danish family wouldn’t go straight to a lawyer, but many American families would. ---
**Author:** ![Lambo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lambo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lambo)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-adult-tricycle-with-child-seat-urgent-help-needed/468003/18 "2008-10-15T17:17:03Z")
I would second the suggestions to get a burleigh-like trailer, as opposed to a trike - I carry my 3 year old in it (90th percentile for weight (and 95th+ for height, but that’s beside the point), and while it is noticeably heavier, it’s very doable (also, the trailer is handy for running to the grocery store). Two advantages I can think of with a bike/trailer combo: 1. You can remove the trailer when it is not needed. 2. You can get a bike with gears - all the adult trikes I’ve seen have been single-speed (I’m guessing if they do make a multi-gear trike, it is probably more expensive than a multi-gear bike and a trailer, and you can often find used trailers). ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-adult-tricycle-with-child-seat-urgent-help-needed/468003/19 "2008-10-15T17:35:28Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > I am assuming that the Christiania bike’s “child compartment” would have to be significantly retooled for the American market? Heck, even with seatbelts, having the kids in the front, in and of itself, would probably cause the bike to fail in safety tests. What “safety tests” are you talking about? Anyway, since handlebar-mounted child seats [like this](http://www.amazon.com/iBert-Safe-T-Front-Mounted-Bicycle/dp/B000H4E7EO) are sold in the US, I don’t see why the Christiania would not be allowed. > [@Lambo](#): > > I would second the suggestions to get a burleigh-like trailer, Nitpick: it’s spelled [Burley](http://www.burley.com/). ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-adult-tricycle-with-child-seat-urgent-help-needed/468003/20 "2008-10-15T17:59:50Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > What “safety tests” are you talking about? IIRC, those bikes (or indeed, any bikes) can’t go to market unless [these guys](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumer_Product_Safety_Commission) vet them. > [@scr4](#): > > Anyway, since handlebar-mounted child seats [like this](http://www.amazon.com/iBert-Safe-T-Front-Mounted-Bicycle/dp/B000H4E7EO) are sold in the US, I don’t see why the Christiania would not be allowed. You linked to one with straps holding the child in place – not really comparable to the Christiana (unless the Christiana has straps for the kids and I just can’t see them in the pic). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-adult-tricycle-with-child-seat-urgent-help-needed/468003.md?page=2)