By Susana Molinolo
In 2007 we found ourselves at that stage in parenthood, when our children were too heavy to be worn in slings, and yet too young to be bike commuters. I didn’t want a car, nor did I want to solely rely on public transit. Our number one question boiled down to: how to get the kids from point A to point B summer, spring, fall and yes, even in the dead of our Canadian winters? We brainstormed and the only solution was a human powered ‘stroller/bike trailer/grocery cart . We researched online, read dozens of reviews, read cycling magazines, ordered a few bike trailer catalogues, asked strangers on the street and in parks about their bike trailers, spoke with many veteran bike sales associates. We finally invested in a Burley d’Lite Bike Trailer because it offered all the technical features we needed, at a price point that felt like an investment. Now nearly three years later, our bike trailer is affectionately referred to as ‘the buggy’. Depending on the destination we sometimes opt to leave the buggy at home, and the kids protest, as if we’re leaving a sibling home, ‘aren’t we bringing the buggy?!!
Our Burley bike trailer has been more than a stroller/bike trailer/grocery cart, it has been an integral part of the way our family has weathered all types of parenting frustrations, and allowed us to get back to glimpses of the active lifestyle we had before children.Here’s the ten reasons we love our buggy:
1. We like long distance adventures, and as a bike trailer, the Burley has the bike suspension required for all-terrain urban adventures, and can also handle off-road detours. Sure, the kids feel the bumps, but the suspension creates a smooth ride, rather than a thud, thud, bump effect.
2. Whether in bike trailer mode, or stroller mode, the Burley is incredibly spacious; you can pack two children, with helmets on, bike locks, favourite toys, snacks, couple litres of water, spare clothes, and there’s still room for a few groceries!
3. On terrifyingly cold days we pack the snow-suit clad kids into the Burley, stroller mode, tuck a couple of blankets around them, then snap the all-weather cover down, and away we go. I’m not lying when I say that if you dress them well, in there, the kids are snug as bugs.
4. The 20-inch tires on the Burley allow you to get through any mountainesque snow piles.
5. As a seasoned cyclist, I hav
e no fear of riding along city streets, and I knew that when the time was right, I’d trailing the kids behind me. I also knew that until I found a bike trailer that was solidly built, yet lightweight I would not be putting my kids into one. When I put the kids in the Burley I never question how safe they are in there. I trust the craftsmanship 100%.
6. As a stroller, the Burley is lightweight (28 lbs), but so powerful; again, thanks to the buggy, we’ve braved all types of weather.
7. Is is extremely simple, safe, and logical to convert the Burley from bike trailer to stroller. Again, I’m grateful to the designers for the compatible stroller kit (this year we’ll probably invest in the ski kit).
8. Now that both children can walk longer distances, sometimes we walk to and from the farmers’ market, or the grocery store, and we take the buggy as our grocery cart. You can load up to 100lbs of anything into it!
9. The Burley is easy
to lock up, and there are a few tricks to making it less desirable for people to want to steal it. For example, the wheels are quick-release, so you can take one or two of them with you, leaving only the shell, which on its own would be worthless.
10. In our home, it was very important that our children learn that if you want to get from point A to point B, our bodies are designed to do that work for us. My husband runs, cycles or walks to work most days; I’m home full time and could count on one hand the number of times I borrow the car each year. Our kids have grown up in a home where both parents cycle for fun and for transportation, and the Burley bike trailer helps us show them that it’s an activity we can all do together. They’ve learnt the rules of the road, and understand the importance of safety measures like buckling up, wearing a helmet, and obeying traffic rules. Now they can ride on their own!
11. Burley designers are cyclists themselves, Burley designs for cycling families. we feel that our Burley has been an investment in our health, that of our children, and that of the planet. Although there are many companies out there who sell bike trailers, those companies are in the manufacturing business, and they don’t understand the unique design required by parents who are in the market for a bike trailer. If like us, safety and outdoor fun are your main requirements, invest in a Burley.
Susana of Mama’s Village.Susana is passionate for the outdoors, food and literature. Recently she hosted a bake sale in her front yard and raised over $20000 for Haiti. Her next project is to make a Cupcakes for Haiti Cookbook.
