Solutions to ride your bike with your child

The Trail-Gator tow bar is a classic. This compact, lightweight solution fits many bikes and situations. Affordable and widely available, the Trail-Gator has been winning over Quebec parents for years.

In simple terms, you tow your child’s bike using a telescopic bar attached to your seatpost and the front of your child’s bike frame. When conditions feel unsafe, your child is tired, or you need to pick up the pace, you can attach their bike to yours. Conversely, once you reach the park or a safe, well-maintained bike path, you can detach their bike so they can ride alongside you.

Installing the tow bar takes a little time to get right, but once it’s set up, it works seamlessly. We love that it’s lightweight and fairly adaptable—a major plus for taking it outside the city, for example.

Note: The maximum child’s bike size is 20″.

Pro tip: Use easily removable training wheels, like Trail-Gator’s Flip-up wheels.

The Weehoo trailer emerged a few years ago and revolutionized family bike rides.

Building on the undisputed success of the “half-bike” concept for families, Weehoo created a secure, comfortable, and enjoyable towing system.

Your child (or children) sits in a seat, can place their feet on pedals, and gets the perfect feeling of being part of the ride. Secured with a safety harness and comfortably towed, the idea of a family outing takes on a whole new dimension with the Weehoo trailer.

While the trailer itself has some weight, you’ll still be impressed by how agile the setup feels. You can realistically tackle longer distances, even with two-year-olds. The small panniers at the back of the trailer are handy for carrying snacks, stuffed animals, or any other family essentials. Plus, your child can easily access a water bottle thanks to a dedicated holder.

Beyond the pure joy kids express and feel while riding in a Weehoo, the biggest advantage for parents is that children can fall asleep—and you can pedal with complete peace of mind, knowing your little one is comfortable and securely fastened. Honestly, it’s a great motivator to keep riding!

The hitch mounts to your seatpost, which means it must be made of aluminum or steel. It is not compatible with carbon seatposts.

Before riding with your child, we recommend practicing with the trailer—simulate stops, as cyclists are most likely to tip over when coming to a halt!

The FollowMe tandem is a clever system that lets you tow your child’s bike. Mounted at the back of your bike, it still leaves room for a rear rack or a child seat.

One major benefit is the stability it provides for your child’s bike—unlike some half-bike systems, it stays perfectly upright! Additionally, attaching a child’s bike (12″ to 20″) is simple and quick. You can easily tow your child for part of the ride, then detach their bike once you reach the park or a bike path.

Another great advantage of the FollowMe system is that you can keep your rear rack, which is handy for carrying a second child or gear for family bike touring.

How does it work?

The adult bike must have 26″ to 29″ wheels. The mounting triangle attaches around the rear wheel axle, so you’ll need to confirm your bike’s compatibility with the FollowMe.

The system comes with a special quick-release skewer, designed for hollow axles (i.e., quick-release axles).

If your adult bike has a solid axle with nuts (common on internal-gear hubs or urban bikes), you’ll need to purchase an adapter kit. Feel free to contact us to make sure you order the right parts!

For the child’s bike, the mounting hardware attaches to the fork or front axle and the frame. Most children’s bikes have solid axles with nuts, and the FollowMe system includes everything needed for a secure fit. If you’re unsure, just ask!