Best Child Bike Seat: Comprehensive Buying Guide With Reviews

Child bike seats are an easy way to get outside and cycle with your little one. It allows parents to get exercise, set a positive example, and include their child in a fun outdoor activity. What's more, it can serve as an environmentally friendly way of commuting.

Read along to find out what to consider when looking for the best child bike seat. DadProgress reviews point out which seats exceeded both parents' and tots' expectations.

Many mountain bikes lack a level top tube to install some front-mounted seats.

The mounting requirements for each bike vary but don't let it discourage you. For most two-wheelers, if a rear mount doesn't work, a front mount will.

What to Consider When Buying a Child Bike Seat?

Position Of The Mount

A third option would be a container. These are generally quite big and more expensive though.

Front-Mounted Bike Seats

Bike seats generally make your bike harder to maneuver.  Many parents have found that using a front-mounted seat is more awkward. For example getting on and off the bike may be harder. 

Rear-Mounted Bike Seats

Frame Mounted vs Rack Mounted Bike Seats

While you can install many child seats directly onto the bike, others (mainly rear-mounts) need the installation of an extra rack.

Rear-mounted seats:  You can often install them on top of an over-the-wheel luggage rack. Some are sold separately, while others come as part of a seat package.

Another way is to install the rear rack-mounted seat to the frame (most mount to the seat tube). 

Front-mounted seats: It's common to attach them to the top tube or to the head tube.

Weight Capacity

The weight capacity of various child bike seats differs significantly. In fact, the ones on our list have capacities that range between 33 and 50 pounds. When searching for the best bike seat for your toddler, it's important to consider, for how long it will be usable. This depends on the weight capacity and height adjustability.

From the reviewed bike seats  Bellelli Pepe Bicycle baby Carrier (Check The Price On Amazon) has the largest weight capacity (50 lb). This is a comfortable rear-mounted seat that is EN 14344 compliant.

How to Choose the Safest Child Bike Seat?

Personal Experience: Consider Your Environment

I've worked over ten years in Finland as an ER doctor. To be honest, I've been lucky enough not to have seen any accidents involving children in bike seats. One of the main reasons is that Finland has a superb network of bicycle roads. So the lesson here is that before buying a bike seat, consider your environment carefully.

How good are the roads? What's the road safety culture?

It's also important to consider your skill, but I wouldn't think about it too much. You can always learn as you go, just try not to ride too fast on first days.

European Union likes to regulate things. Sometimes even something good comes out of it. In 2004 EU created a standard EN 14344. The point of this creatively named standard is to determine whether a child’s bike seat is safe and of good quality. Compliance is based on self-certification. People in the EU have it easy- make sure that the seat is EN 14344 compliant and you should be good to go. But even if you're not living in EU, it offers some lessons.

6 Things We Can Learn From The EU Safety Standard?

1. Front-mounted seats  are safe as long as your child weighs less than 33lb (15kg). Heavier children should sit on rear-mounted seats if the seats are compatible

2. Front-mounted seats are not considered particularly safe if you can attach them only to a handlebar 

3. A child should not be able to touch a bike wheel with his or her legs when in a bike-chair

4. Bike seats should not have any sharp edges

5. The weight limit of the best child bike seat should be clearly stated

6. The center of gravity should be marked

There are some other elements that can make the child bike seat safer. I've discussed them in the next chapter. Keep on reading:)

Other Design Factors

At first glance, most bike seats look like nothing more than a plastic bucket with a few straps. Yet, most of them incorporate smart design elements that help keep your little one safe. Read along to learn more about what to look out for when purchasing a bike seat for your baby or toddler.

Helmet Pockets 

This design element comes in the form of a recess or cutout in the headrest. It provides a space for the back of a child's helmet to go.

It also prevents a child's head from being pushed forward because of the material filling the gap.

Seats with both a helmet pocket and a slight backward slope provide an adequate hub for a sleeping or restful child. Since all children should be wearing helmets, this design element is a high-priority for seats with high backs.

Lap Bars 

Lap bars provide a few different conveniences. For one, they help supplement a harness in locking down your precious cargo. Secondly, they offer a resting post for your child's hands. In some models, lap bars have evolved into protective dashboards. These would serve as a protective buffer if a bike were ever to collide with something or topple over.

High Back vs Low Back 

High back seats tend to be more comfortable for young children. In fact, they provide extra reinforcement for a child's head and neck. This is also a particularly important feature for sleeping children.

Suspension 

Some seats incorporate a shock-absorbing suspension system. These come in the form of springs and flexible metal rods. They help soften the ride by absorbing the shock from bumps in the road.

Adjustability

Babies and children are on an undeniably fast growth trajectory. Afraid that your little one grows out of the bike seat before it even arrives? Choose one that offers ample adjustability. This can come in the form of extendable foot holders, an adjustable backrest, and generous weight capacity. Most front mount seat have a lower weight capacity than rear mount seats.

Comfort 

A well-designed child bike seat is comfortable for both the child and adult. 

For a child, ample space to stretch, seat and backrest padding, and side bumpers fit the bill. 

For adults, it's vital that a seat does not inhibit or alter their style of riding. If you're continually nicking your knees on the back of your front mount seat, chances are you need to make a change.

Co-riding is a great way to introduce a healthy outdoor activity to babies and toddlers who aren't quite up for the task of pedaling on their own.  I advocate that parents eventually teach their young ones to ride a bike on their own though.

"The best child bike seat should suit your needs!"