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Had an idea for a riding top for whilst out with the boy on his Shotgun seat. I've seen more of these mid and front mounted seats whilst out and about and our youngest is also on a Weeride with my partner. I usually tow a trailer to give other road users warning that we've got kids on board but sometimes I'd like to be able to leave the trailer at home (twomseat chariot so kinda bulky). I emailed The Cycle Jersey with an idea for a top with a large Child On Board sign on the back, a simple yellow diamond just like you see hanging up in the back window of a car. They emailed back a design that I'd love to post but no idea how to attach a jpeg, sorry. Just though I'd ask here, what do you folks think? For those that ride with kids on board would it be something you'd consider wearing or not?
I used to ride my tandem kiddyback with a child on board modified to ad “en”. This was added to the baby seat. Never had a close pass in thousands of miles!
Dunno about bikes, but I've never understood those signs in cars. Do they really affect other people's behaviour? I rarely read stickers or signs on the back of people's cars, but if I do clock one it doesn't alter my driving in the slightest. Why would it? I give other vehicles sufficient space etc. whoever is in them, the sort of people who don't aren't suddenly going to see the error of their ways because of a sticker or sign. Not trying to rain on your parade, honest!
When it's displayed on vehicles it can help to be emergency services look for kids in the event of an accident. I think it's mandatory in Australia, and should be removed when no child is on board.
Aye, see where you're coming from but I dont think you can directly compare but I'm at the point now where I rarely notice a baby on board sign in the car myself if I'm honest. I've noticed people give me a particularly wide berth when towing a trailer (with Child on board signs attached) and I basically use it now just to make sure other road users give us that bit more space. I'm not 100% convinced as to how effective it would be myself hence why I'm seeking opinions on here. BLack top, yellow sleeves and gret big yellow diamond on the back with (hopefully) a very visible font declaring Child On Board. Would people take notice of that? I dunno.
I wonder if a logo might be more effective showing the child riding up front, if it can be done in a simple/clear way. I suspect with text, most drivers will just assume you've left your trailer behind and treat you no differently.
3 close passes this morning while towing the Chariot. I doubt it will make any difference.
When it’s displayed on vehicles it can help to be emergency services look for kids in the event of an accident
I heard this for the first time recently. A bit morbid but surely if the accident is severe enough for it to be difficult to quickly establish the number of passengers then a flimsy bit of card suckered onto the rear window is unlikely to have stayed put?
When it’s displayed on vehicles it can help to be emergency services look for kids in the event of an accident
How many cars do you see on the commute with just the driver and the sticker?
They're not mandatory in Australia.
They were a money making scheme, basically, the company 'safety 1st' that produced them made a shit ton of can from them.
The emergency services pay little heed to them as most of the time they're isn't a baby on board. Instead they look for rather more obvious signs like a car seat.
As much as I applaud the sentiment, i think having that on a jersey will have little or no effect unfortunately. I suspect it may be more likely to wind people up, especially as the child probably won't be seen until the last minute if they're behind you, so the average driver will treat it with the same contempt as those 'Polite' vests for horse riders.
I stand corrected.
So we'll just go with Rule 1 signs then?
I doubt car drivers will read your jersey and if they do, they are probably too close already.
I've been knocked off my motorbike before in full commuting gear - yellow high vis jacket, lumo orange helmet and a great big bloody motorbike under me. You have to assume people are not looking for things on 2 wheels when driving.
I always kept the kiddy seat for offroad.
Well I'd like to think "tough crowd" but instead I do think you are all correct. Nice idea in theory but probably pointless!
@daffy,sorry to hear about your close passes, we have the two seater chariot which given the width of it means I'm possibly being given a false impression of how close some passes are. Wonder if you can still get them sticky out arms with a reflector on them? Were they like an orange colour? Will have a look.
@hooli, saving the seat exclusively for off road would be nice but we need to use roads to get there! And as mentioned the chariot is a big unit so limits where we can get to. Not that the roads are stupidly busy where we are and the countryside isn't far off. Totally get where you're coming from though, thanks all.