The WeeRide is a newer type of child carrier for bikes that mounts between the rider and the handlebars instead of behind the rider. I had read about this type of child carrier last year, but this past weekend was my first time using it. It is intended for children more than a year old and under 40 pounds, which pretty much means 2 and 3 year olds.

Installation took under ten minutes and was straightforward. Actually dragging my bike out of the garage for the first time in years and getting it road ready took more time than installing the WeeRide carrier. Once I took a quick test ride without my son to make sure the handlebars would turn without hitting the carrier, I was ready to load him up and get going.

We took a short ride to test it out and make sure that the old bike would make it. I have to say that the carrier worked remarkably well. I felt like I had good control of the bike and was able to interact with my son throughout the ride. My favorite part about the whole experience was that it gave my son and I another activity that we could do together outdoors. Anything that gets kids outdoors is worth a try in my book.

PROS
My son absolutely loved it. He talked to me the whole time about everything he was seeing and asked me to go faster. The bike felt stable and it was relatively easy to lift a three year old in and out of the seat. Even at 35 pounds, he fit within the seat comfortably.

CONS
The parent needs to adjust the pedaling motion slightly outward because the carrier sits in between the legs. This isn’t so bad for a casual bike around town, but it could have a bigger effect on longer rides or on bigger hills. The added weight of the child makes it a little harder to climb hills, though this is probably true with all child carriers. Standing to climb a hill does not feel like it would be safe.

Learn more about the WeeRide child bike carrier at http://www.weeride.com.

If you have a WeeRide or end up getting one, please let us know what you think of it in the comments section.