Appropriate Age Limits

• According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, children who are 1 year old or younger should not ride in a bicycle trailer. Children age 1 or older must be able to support their neck upright and sit up by themselves to ride in a trailer. Placing a child who cannot perform these tasks in a trailer can put him at high risk for injury during bumpy rides.
  
  

Tire Pressure Safety

• Before beginning a bicycle ride, it is imperative that riders inspect the tire pressure of the bicycle and trailer. Low tire pressure will create more bumps and shocks during the ride. Inflate your bicycle's and trailer’s tires to a pressure of approximately 40 to 50 pounds per square inch (see Resources). Check your manufacturer’s tire inflation recommendation, which is located on the bicycle and trailer tires or in the user manual.
  
  

Bicycle Helmets for Babies

• Children older than 1 who are riding in a bicycle trailer should wear a helmet at all times. Purchasing a helmet for a 1-year-old can be difficult, however, since most bicycle helmet companies make their smallest helmets to fit an 18.5-inch head. If you are finding it difficult to purchase a proper-fitting helmet for your child, the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute recommends buying thicker fitting pads that do not interfere with the helmet’s protective qualities.
  
  

Trailer Safety Equipment

• Ensure that your bicycle and trailer have the appropriate safety equipment. Attaching safety equipment to your bicycle will help let other motorists and bicyclists see you, as well as keep your child safe during the ride. Purchase an orange safety flag and reflective material for the wheels and carriage, and make sure that your child is properly strapped into the trailer with a five-point safety harness. Parking brakes that can be used with bicycle trailers also are available. This will lessen the risk of the trailer rolling away when the bicycle is parked.
  
  

Bicycle Trailer Installation

• Make sure that you install the bicycle trailer properly by following all of the manufacturer’s safety precautions and installation instructions. Installation procedures may differ among manufacturers, but generally the trailer will attach to the back of any adult-size bicycle via a quick release mechanism or a nutted axle.