Bike Cargo Trailer Safety
What are your needs?
You may consider yourself an enthusiastic bicycle commuter. You may think you have no need for an automobile and you can do it all on two wheels. We think that's great, but everyone has their limits and there is no reason to put your property or yourself in danger by trying to tow too much. With this in mind, you must consider whether you need a bike cargo trailer or simply a sturdy wire or wicker bike basket.
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The iconic wicker bike basket is something of an anachronism these days, reminding us of kids from the 50s rolling off to school or pastoral scenes with riders transporting produce. That doesn't need to be the case. We think you'll agree that a wire bike basket you can trust is just as adequate at holding your laptop. And if that's what you're looking to carry, or even a little more, you'd be better off not investing in a cargo bike trailer. Though handy, they will cost you over 100 dollars - not a ton of money, but nothing to throw around. And they aren't something you'll immediately be good at riding with. You must change your riding behavior to a much more conservative style so as to not jar the contents or tip the trailer. The advantages and dangers of wire bike baskets Wire bike baskets, on the other hand, won't noticeably affect your riding. As long as the load stays relatively light, you should be in good shape. We think anything under about 15 pounds won't drastically weigh on any competent rider. However, if you start loading the front of your wire bike basket with too much stuff, steering will become more difficult. Small movements in your arms will translate to sharper turns because of the weight, and you'll need to be stronger to correct yourself. At a certain weight, it's a better idea to use a backpack or upgrade to a cargo bike trailer. |
Basic cargo bike trailer rules
Once you do decide on a cargo bike trailer, pick one out that is no bigger than what you need. If you really are a regular bike commuter or plan on camping with your bike and trailer, you're going to want to travel lean. Then familiarize yourself with the latches to prevent any unintentional unhitching and always check the tires (it is harder to notice flat trailer tires). Finally, when riding you must remember to calculate more time for braking, because with the added weight stopping is much more difficult.