Bike trailer for kids, dogs or cargo

Which bike trailer for which load?

• For children: one or two seats, multi-point harnesses and a cabin protected by an insect screen and a rain cover. Many convert into a pushchair, or even a running buggy, with a front wheel and a handlebar.
• For a dog: rear access, a ventilated roof, a rigid floor and an attachment point for the lead. Some can also be pushed by hand once unhitched.
• For loads, on two wheels: a rigid platform or a fabric box carries shopping, fishing gear or a board, and the trailer stays upright even when parked.
• The single-wheel trailer: its one wheel follows the track of the bike, which makes it well suited to narrow paths, mountain biking and touring. Some are suspended.

What the EN 15918 standard covers

The European standard EN 15918 sets the safety requirements for one- and two-wheel bicycle trailers and their hitches, including behind an electric bike. It covers trailers that carry goods or no more than two children, able to sit up unaided and weighing no more than 22 kg each, for a total weight of 60 kg. Trailers that convert into a pushchair are often also certified to the pushchair standard, EN 1888. Helmet rules for children vary from one country to another; a fastened helmet remains advisable for passengers too.

Hitching: wheel axle, thru-axle or seatpost

Most child trailers hitch to the rear wheel axle: a cup or a plate slides under the nut or the quick release, and the trailer locks onto it. A bike with a thru-axle needs a specific axle, of the right length and thread pitch, with the hitch point built in. Light cargo trailers are sometimes attached to the seatpost with a ball joint. With a coupler fitted permanently to each bike in the household, the trailer moves from one towing bike to another in an instant; couplers, axles and spare wheels are gathered in bike trailer spare parts.

Riding safely with a trailer

A trailer makes you wider and lengthens your braking distances. Take corners more widely, approach kerbs and pavements at walking pace and brake early on descents. Load heavy items low down and in the centre, within the manufacturer's maximum load. A flag mounted high up and a rear light, essential if the trailer hides the one on the bike, make you visible. On an electric bike, the assistance makes pulling away easier, but the weight of the whole rig still has to be anticipated when braking.

Other ways to carry a child or a bike

For a child who can sit up, a child bike seat fitted to the bike is lighter and less bulky than a trailer. To take the bikes themselves by car, see the bike racks; a bike travelling by train or in the hold is protected in one of the bike bags and covers. All the bike transport equipment is gathered on one page.

Bike trailer brands

Optimiz hitches its trailers directly to the rear hub: the Cargo Surfer carries bulky loads, and a cargo model with a large platform takes over for big volumes.

Burley, a trailer maker based in Eugene, Oregon, offers the Coho XC, a spring-suspended single-wheel trailer for narrow trails, the Nomad for loaded touring, and the D'Lite X and Encore X two-seat child trailers.

XLC offers the BS-C12, a trailer for medium-sized dogs with rear access and an opening roof, which converts into a pushchair, and the BS-C11 for loads.

Hamax, a Norwegian manufacturer, offers the Traveller, a two-seat child trailer that converts into a pushchair and whose hitch arm folds away under the body.

Thule, a Swedish brand that took over the Canadian Chariot range, offers the Coaster XT, a two-seat trailer that converts into a pushchair.

Bike trailers on sale

An end-of-line trailer can be found in transport clearance, and a recent model in new arrivals. The summer holidays, ideal for family rides, follow close on the heels of the seasonal sales.

Frequently asked questions

From what age can a child ride in a bike trailer?

The EN 15918 standard is aimed at children who can sit up unaided. Manufacturers set their own minimum age, given in the instructions, and some offer a hammock or a baby seat to fit the youngest. A helmet is still recommended.

Single-wheel or two-wheel trailer: which should you choose?

A single-wheel trailer is narrow, light and follows the track of the bike on paths; it suits touring and mountain biking. A two-wheel trailer is more stable, stands up on its own and offers more space, which makes it more practical for shopping and for carrying children.

Can you hitch a trailer to an electric bike?

Yes, the EN 15918 standard also covers e-bikes. Just check that the hitch suits the rear axle of your bike, quick release, solid axle or thru-axle, and that the weight of the whole rig stays within the limits set by the bike manufacturer.

How much weight can a bike trailer carry?

Each manufacturer states a maximum load, children and luggage included. For child trailers, the standard sets a ceiling of 60 kg in total and 22 kg per child. Cargo and pet trailers have their own limits, given in the instructions.

Does a bike trailer fold for storage?

Most child and cargo trailers fold once the wheels are removed, often without tools thanks to push-button hubs. They then fit in a car boot or against a garage wall.