CHILD BIKE SEATS: WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Child bike seat: front or back?

The rules for the circulation of bicycles are established by Article 182 of the Highway Code, which establishes that an adult driver can carry a child on his bicycle - only one! - up to eight years of age, suitably insured for the vehicle. The child seat, establishes the standard, can be installed in two ways: in front of the driver, and therefore between the bicycle handlebar and the rider, and this only if the child weighs up to 15 kg, or behind the driver.

How should a child bike seat be made?

It must consist of a seat, a backrest, two armrests, a fixing system to the bicycle and a safety system that restrains the child with braces or restraint belts. It must also have a protective structure for the child's feet to prevent contact of the child's feet with moving parts. The armrests can be omitted but only in the case of seats intended for attachment in the rear position and for the transport of children over the age of four.

Let's talk about size

Equipped with a child seat, the bicycle must not exceed the dimensional limits established by the Code, i.e. 1.30 meters of maximum width, 3 meters of maximum length, 2.20 meters maximum height. Furthermore, neither the driver's view nor his maneuvering possibilities must be obstructed by the seat.

The fixing system is very important

The fastening system must guarantee the anchoring of the seat to the bicycle, preventing it from being accidentally released. For the seats which are to be mounted in the front position, fastening systems to the frame, to the steering column and to the handlebar are allowed. For the rear seats they are fixing systems both to the frame and to the luggage rack are allowed, in compliance with the maximum capacity of the same.

© Mothers in the car The bicycle seat for children must have the instructions

The seat must be equipped with illustrated instructions for assembly and instructions for use as well as a declaration certifying the compliance of the seat with the regulations. This declaration must be signed by the manufacturer or by whoever markets the product, or, in the case of imports from countries that are not part of the European Union, by whoever imported it. Furthermore, the year of production and the name of the manufacturer, or of the person responsible for its marketing or import, must be visibly imprinted on the seat, even after assembly.

European legislation

You may also find on the seat an abbreviation that classifies the product according to the European standard UNI EN 14344: 2005 based on the positioning and weight of the child:

A15: these are the rear seats suitable for children from 9 to 15 kg;
A22: these are the rear seats suitable for transporting children from 9 to 22 kg;
C15: these are the front seats designed to support children from 9 to 15 kg.

European legislation also indicates that on all child seats the projections, corners and ends must be rounded, folded or protected with a plastic covering, in order to prevent the child from being injured; Finally, the seat must be free of small components that the little ones can detach and swallow.