The child seat for electric bikes is a piece of equipment that allows you to take your child everywhere with you. However, it is important to choose the seat carefully to find the most suitable model and the one that will meet your expectations.
Electric bike child seat: what you need to know is precisely what interests us here and in this regard we are going to take a look at the essential points.
What do the regulations in France say about child safety on electric bikes?
First and foremost, you should know that in France, the safety of children on bicycles is taken into account and legal obligations exist. Thus, several regulations govern the transport of children on an electric bike. Therefore, you should know:
- A child's helmet is mandatory for children under 12 years old.
- Use of a specific seat for children under 5 years old.
- Footrests and seat belts comply with standards.
From what age can you put a child in a bike seat?
The use of an electric bicycle baby seat is compatible for ages between 9 and 10 months, when the child weighs around 9 kg for a front bicycle seat preferably and from two years for a rear bicycle seat.
Thus, the minimum age for a bicycle seat is considered to be two years old, for a rear child seat, when the child's back is formed and he can therefore sit well and withstand possible jolts during the journey.
For younger children (under 9 months), it's best to opt for a cargo bike with a box. You can place a child seat in the box and secure it with a harness.
Electric Bike Child Seat: What you need to know: There are different models of child seats designed for electric bikes, seats for the front, seats for the rear, the seat generally fits well on all bikes, some accessories are also available to adapt a child seat to an electric bike. Then there are other alternatives for traveling by bike with one or more children.
What are the different models of child seats for bicycles?
There are two types of child seats for bicycles: the front seat and the rear seat. These child seats come in different designs.
Reminder: alternatives to child seats also exist, particularly for children under 9 months old, such as cargo bikes which have a transport box, into which a child seat can be fitted.
The front child seat
For electric bike front baby seats, we also call them front baby carriers. This accessory will be placed between the saddle and the handlebars or possibly on the bike stem.
The advantage of this type of seat is that you can keep an eye on your child, and your child also enjoys being surrounded by your arms. This model is beneficial for both!
You can enhance the comfort with footrests and support cushions. The only concern is that this seat is reserved for a child between 9 months and two years old; beyond that, a rear seat will be required.
The rear child seat
For rear child seats on electric bikes, this is ideal for transporting children from two years old up to 5 years old. Then, for those over 5 years old, you need a junior seat that attaches to the seat tube or luggage rack.
The advantage of the rear seat is that it provides more stability when riding the bike because the child's weight is concentrated at the rear. The rider is also more comfortable handling the bike and driving, as their visibility is not impaired in any way.
The child in the back also benefits from optimal comfort, especially if you add footrests. The disadvantage of this seat is that you don't have a continuous view of the child, however, with the help of rearview mirrors this will help you compensate for this lack.
For the child, he will not see what is happening in front of him, he will only have a side view by turning his head.
What are the alternatives to child seats for electric bikes?
Among the alternatives, we have already mentioned the cargo bike with a box in which you can put a baby seat, with this type of electric bike you can even consider transporting several children.
Alternatively, you can also opt for the electric bike trailer solution.
This versatile piece of equipment allows parents to attach this accessory to all electric bike models. If you're transporting a baby under 9 months old, this gives you the option of adding a carrycot-style seat inside the trailer, or a support seat for a child over 9 months old.
How and on what criteria should you choose a child seat?
The criteria that parents should consider when buying a child seat and an electric bike seat revolve around safety, comfort for the child, control and good handling of the bike, and the type of attachment.
Security
There's the safety of the cyclist and, of course, the child. So, to start with, you need to choose a child seat that's approved and compliant with the European standard CE EN 14344. Without approval, safety isn't guaranteed, and if you're stopped by police officers, this could cause you problems.
Child's comfort
The child's comfort is naturally an important selection criterion. It's important to choose a well-padded seat that can absorb shocks on bumpy journeys. If a child isn't seated properly during a journey, they'll constantly fidget, which will inevitably bother the driver.
Bicycle control and balance
The weight of the bike is important for good handling and therefore better riding comfort, so with the added weight of a child, you have to think about it!
Thus, the electric child carrier bike plays a role in the bike's support and stability. When choosing your child seat, you must take into account the weight of the cyclist, the child, and the bike.
For good stability and balance, it is recommended to add two kickstands to the bike, especially if you have to stop often.
The type of attachment
The type of attachment varies from one seat to another, so you should check that it is functional and that they are adaptable to your bike model. It is also worth considering the attachment system for footrests, which are recommended for the child's comfort and to prevent a small foot from reaching the spokes of the bike wheel. It's safer!
Additionally, it provides more comfort to the child as well.
For a front seat, it is sometimes necessary to provide an adapter, for a rear seat in general it is equipped with fixing systems that allow installation on the luggage rack. Otherwise, you can also consider installing the rear seat on the seat tube.
What accessories should you bring when riding with a child?
The first accessory is the child's helmet , moreover, it is obligatory in France for children and if not obligatory for other countries, it remains strongly recommended!
As we have seen in this article, footrests are accessories to be planned for.
Rearview mirrors to keep an eye on the child are strongly recommended when the child is placed in the back.
Then you have to think about the bad weather that can arise during a walk or a bike ride, rain protection is almost obligatory too.
A bag allows you to store useful things for the child; it is always good to have this equipment.
See also support cushions for child seats, as well as support pillows which help to support a small child's head.
FAQs
What is the difference between a front seat and a rear seat on a bicycle?
Rear. Rear-mounted bike seats generally have a high backrest that provides better support for your child's back and head than front-mounted bike seats. Your child can ride in these for years to come.
How to correctly install a child seat on an electric bike?
For a front seat, it will be placed between the saddle and the handlebars, or on the bike's stem. This type of child seat for electric bikes allows you to keep a watchful eye on your child because they are in front of you. For their part, they feel safe with your arms around them during the ride.
Does the child's weight affect the range of the electric bike?
Weight is an important consideration, especially when it comes to the bike itself. Weight greatly affects a bike's handling and battery life. Whether you're looking for a bike for your daily commute or weekend excursions, don't overlook the weight issue.
What are the safety rules for transporting a child on an electric bike?
Legal requirements. In France, several regulations govern the transportation of children on an electric bike: Helmets are mandatory for children under 12 years old. Use of a specific seat for children under 5 years old. Footrests and seat belts must comply with standards.
Can a child seat be installed on all types of electric bikes?
It is important that there is enough space between the luggage rack and the seat to attach the child seat. On some e-bikes, the battery is located in the luggage rack, so the seat must be installed using an adapter.
Conclusion
Child safety is a top priority when choosing a child seat for an electric bike. With all the aspects described here, you now know what to look out for.
At BatooBike , we are very careful about the equipment we offer to families. Children's helmet as a foldable rear child seat, please do not hesitate to contact us for further information.
