Carrying children by bike

They thought they'd solved the challenge of carrying kids by bicycle in 1951 by simply transforming a pram into a sidecar. While that particular idea didn't take off, bicycles remain one of the most joyful ways of travelling with your children.

When it comes to carrying kids by bicycle, especially on the school run, there are various options to choose between.

By far the simplest and most popular is the child seat fitted onto the rear rack, but on a standard bike it is not possible to carry more than one child in this way.

Sales of 3-seat electric bicycles are soaring in Japan as school-run drivers in congested cities like Tokyo swap their cars for bikes such as the Angelino.

Bicycles designed to carry two children in safety are common in mainland Europe, but were not legal for sale in Japan until July 2009. Since the ban was lifted, well over 100,000 3-seater bicycles have been sold.

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Spanners at the ready – this bicycle sidecar is DIY

There is a bewildering array of child seats, ‘tag-alongs’ and trailers aimed at helping families cycle together, but none is as stylish looking as the bicycle sidecar designed by Steve Bodiley.

The Bicycle Sidecar allows a toddler to accompany an adult cycle on long rides while leaving the bike free to carry luggage or a rear-mounted child seat.

Another advantage the sidecar has over other designs is that it allows the adult rider to keep an eye on the child and, just as importantly, the child an uninterrupted view of the path ahead.

DIY plans on how to build the sidecar from steel tubing and plywood are available for free at Steve Bodily’s fascinating website steves-workshop.co.uk

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Carrying kids by bicycle

Cargo trikes are being bought in increasing numbers in London, not only by businesses looking for an environmentally-friendly way of bypassing the congestion charge, but by parents looking for a practical and fun alternative to the car for the school run.

In Denmark many families with two or more kids, have turned to the Christiania. There is a choice between a standard-sized model, which can fit two to three kids, and a longer version, which can comfortably seat four to six. The box where the kids sit is in front, so everyone gets a good view, while the rider can keep an eye on the kids.

The Madsen Cargo Bike is like any other bicycle features an extended frame equipped with a tub large sturdy enough to carry 250 kg. The advantage it has over the trikes is that it's easier to store and park if space is tight. Although, it's a practical and cost-effective way of carrying kids by bicycle, the Madsen has no distributor in Britain.

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.