Keeping warm on a bike seat, cargo bike or in a trailer – great ideas to keep the cold at bay

Here at Cycle Sprog, we're huge fans of bike seatskids bike trailers as well as cargo bikes as a great way to get out riding with your child.

We've used both front bike seats and rear bike seats with our kids while they were toddlers and preschoolers, so understand that it's easy to consider this a purely summer activity, and pack the bike seat away once the colder weather arrives.

If you do this, you and your son or daughter are missing out on some wonderful experiences - including that of getting dressed up ready to cycle during the winter. There's something comforting about layering up against the elements and keeping warm on a bike, but when riding with a little one in a child bike seat or on a cargo bike it is crucial to remember that they aren't expending any energy, and will, therefore, get much colder than you, a lot quicker.

If they are in a front bike seat or electric box bike they will be taking the brunt of the elements, and whilst a rear bike seat may be protected more by your body, it's harder for you to keep an eye on how warm your passenger is.

It's essential therefore that the clothes you dress your little one in keep them warm and dry throughout the ride. Here's our round up of how to keep your child, warm and dry on a cycle ride this winter.

Toddler sized gloves or mittens

Little fingers get cold very quickly, so a good pair of warm gloves is essential.

It's difficult to find waterproof and windproof mittens or specific cycling gloves in very small sizes, so we were pleased to stumble across these Tigo Totes Warm gloves that start from 2-3 years.

You may want to consider the old trick of a piece of wool sewn into each mitten and through the arms of the coat to avoid them being cast off mid-ride.

Find out more recommendations for The best children's winter cycling gloves.

Tigo Totes Warm toddler gloves

Thermal underwear for young children

A warm base layer is worth several over layers, and so thermals will keep your little one toastie warm on a cold winter's day.

Decathlon has a good range of thermal base layers, including from their own ski range Wedze.

Swedish children's clothing brand Polarn O. Pyret offers merino wool base layers, which are more expensive but amazing for keeping warm and wicking away moisture. Most importantly, merino wool is not itchy.

Polarn O Pyret thermal base layers

Easy access warm clothing

Try to avoid too many layers of all in one clothing for little ones as this will make loo stops a nightmare. If the layers closest to the skin are all in one you're facing have to undress them each and every time, and letting the cold air in - this won't be popular!

Fleeces are great for keeping them warm - try to avoid those with hoods, which cause bumps on their back and can be uncomfortable when in the seat.

child in bike seat with winter coat on

Windproof overlayer

This could be a jacket, bodywarmer, gillet or a thick fleece, depending on the weather conditions and what your child normally wears.

Waterproof layer

Unless you're committed to only cycling on days when there is absolutely no chance of rain, you'll need some form of waterproof protection. A waterproof layer also helps protects against wind.

You've got two choices:

  • A waterproof all in one suit, like this Regatta Puddle Suit comes in sizes from 6 months to 4 years. They are good for keeping dry once you're off the bike, but can be a hassle to put on, and are difficult to get out for nappy changes or wee stops.
  • The alternative is a waterproof cover, which helps to keep every part dry on the bike, such as the Hamax child rain poncho, which fits over a bike seat.
  • For older children, adding waterproof overtrousers to their outfit can help with keeping legs warm.

For a cargo bike, there's usually the option to attach a rain canopy to the bike. This can help you not only to keep your children dry on the back of a longtail bike or in a box bike, but also to keep them warm and protected from wind chill.

Regatta all in one puddle suit to protect your child from rain and wind

Don't forget about feet!

Toes can get chilly in winter, plus are partial to jumping in the nearest muddy puddle the moment they're unleashed from the bike.

Thermal socks are a great investment, especially when combined with wellies.

Blankets for cargo bikes and trailers

In an electric box bike you can use a blanket to keep your children warm on the bench. In a bike trailer, a blanket can keep their legs and feet cosy on a long ride.

We have been using a Bundlebean Go universal footmuff for years now in our box bike and it is great. It is water and windproof and can be wrapped around one child or put over the legs of two children when they sit next to each other on a bench. It also comes with a velcro strap which can be put around your child's back to keep the blanket in place.

Neckwarmer

Keep out drafts with a quick to dry fleece scarf or a neckwarmer like a Buff (also handy for mopping up running noses - we didn't say that honestly!)

Balaclava

During very cold weather we've used a balaclava on our youngest to protect him from the elements - you just need to loosen the helmet to make it fit and remember to tighten again when the weather warms up.

Read more about How to keep your child’s head warm under their bike helmet.

child drinking a hot drink from thermos with balaclava on

Hi viz vest

If you're riding on the road at any point then you may want to throw a hi-viz jacket over their other clothes to give that added bit of visibility to drivers. We've got a whole post on child sized high vis jackets.

Windshield

If you use a front bike seat, then a windscreen is a good way to shield them from the elements. We've reviewed the Polisport Windscreen.

Before you go...

For more information and tips on cycling in winter, go to our overview article on Winter cycling with kids.

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