Child Bike Seat Instructions

Exercise extra caution when riding with your child.

As the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI) details, while only sparse data exist, child bike seats can be dangerous propositions. Injury risk rises with younger children, particularly kids under 3, BHSI notes. Proper installation of child bike seats, along with your child observing safe bicycle handling techniques, can help keep your child safe when she comes along for a ride.

Things You'll Need

• Allen wrench (size varies)

Instructions

1. 

   Only use the manufacturer-provided rack when installing a child bike seat.

   Install the rear rack that comes with your child bike seat to your bicycle. Most child bike seats use a rear rack to support the child seat. The seat fits onto the rear rack. Only use the rack provided by the child seat manufacturer. The accompanying photo is for informational purposes only.

2. Spread the legs of the rack out, positioning the rack so that the holes at the bottom of the legs line up with the holes on your bike frame, just above the wheel axle. In most cases, an Allen wrench is necessary to do this. The size required varies. Do not tighten these bolts all the way yet.

3. Secure the extenders, as noted by CoPilot, a producer of child bike seats, to the rack. Screw the extenders into the holes, if available, on the portion of your frame that extends from below your seat to the center of the rear wheel. Tighten all bolts to secure the rear rack, moving in a clockwise direction.

4. Slide the child bike seat onto the rear rack. CoPilot advises pushing the rack forward until you hear "clicks" that come from both the front and rear "security catches," designed to hold the child seat to the rack. Although the setup used by CoPilot is rather common, refer to your child seat manufacturer's instruction manual for specific details.

5. Ensure that the child bike seat is firmly in place on the rear rack. CoPilot suggests moving it from side to side. There should be very little play. If there is movement, execute the installation process again.

6. Attach any additional security devices provided by the manufacturer of your child bike seat. CoPilot provides a "security bar" that snaps into place behind the rear "security catch."

Tips & Warnings

• As BHSI advises, never use a child bike seat with a child who is younger than 1 or weighs more than 40 pounds. A child younger than 1 cannot support his head and neck well enough to deal with the rough nature of a bike ride. Child bike seats are not designed to accommodate children over 40 pounds. Too much weight on the back of your bike will negatively affect your bike-handling skills.

• Your child should always wear a helmet when riding in a child bike seat. It is worth noting that helmets are advised--and required by law in some places--for all children and adults, whether they are the operator of or passenger on a bicycle.

• Never leave a child unattended when in a bike seat. The bike can fall over, which can cause serious injury to your child.

• Pay extra attention to the safety issues to which you normally attend when operating a bicycle. Ensure that the bike, particularly the brakes and wheels, is in good working order. Be extra vigilant about riding safely in traffic.

References

• Madison: CoPilot Car Seat Owners Manual
• Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI): Bicycle Child Seats and Injuries