Equipment
Children 4 and under
The choice is between a trailer and a seat. The seat, less expensive and less tiring to pull than a trailer, is designed for children weighing 20 kilos or less, and is ideal for rides of less than twenty kilometers.
Here are a few tips for using a seat: wait until the child is old enough to sit on a chair (around 11 months); don't use such a seat when the child is too old (at four or five years of age, or if he or she weighs 20 kilos); choose a model where the backrest supports the head well and includes a system of crossed straps that hold the child securely; put a helmet on the child; never ride with an object in the child's hands; never leave the child on the seat if you leave your bicycle.
Trailers, on the other hand, are more comfortable for the child, offer greater driving stability and allow more objects to be transported. There are two price ranges for trailers: between 200 $ and 300 $, and 300 $ and over. Trailers under 300 $ are designed for Sunday outings, and may therefore be suitable for a three-day trip. Trailers of 300 $ and over offer significant advantages in terms of weight, assembly and disassembly.
Children aged 5 to 7
He's probably too big to fit in a trailer, but not yet strong enough to ride his own bike. However, there's a very good compromise: half-bikes (Trail-a-Bike in particular), which attach to the back of an adult's bike. The child sits on this vehicle, pedaling and really helping to move the bike forward... but he can also, if he wishes, let himself be carried. These bicycles are less difficult to pull than a trailer; however, as they influence the direction of the bicycle, their use requires some training.
There are also rods for pulling (or pushing) the child's bike. Some lift the front wheel, others simply pull the child's bike; some are retractable and easy to transport, others are not. In short, it's best to be well informed before buying. The advantage of these stems is that they allow the child to pedal on certain segments, and then to be transported when he or she is tired.
Children aged 8 and over
Your child may be self-sufficient on his bike: this is the age we recommend for him to take part in the Petite Aventure on his own bike. Equip the bike with a luggage rack and a pannier (avoid backpacks), so that your child can carry his or her own personal belongings. If you are ever separated, the child will have what he needs with him (clothes, snacks). A bottle holder and bottle are also important.
What's more, if your child is self-sufficient, he or she needs to be taught to ride in line and on the right-hand side of the road, to be attentive to other cyclists and cars, to signal his or her intentions, to respect traffic signs and signals, and to move out of the way when stopping. Children aged 8 to 13, especially boys, have difficulty pedaling at a steady pace. They tend to run like hares, then tire quickly. Don't underestimate the importance of stopping long enough, even if your child is 11 or 12.