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I have an older Burley Dee-lite, and it's worked quite well. It also has some storage space behind the kids' seat, which is nice. Easy to get on and off the bike, too, without the need for any mounting hardware to stay on the bike.

As far as safety tips go, two things:

1. Think carefully about your routes. Depending on where you live, and where you want to go, there are low traffic options. Be creative.

2. Take. The Lane. We do most of our riding with kids in tow in the East End (East Liberty, Shadyside, Highland Park, Morningside), and I always take the lane. Most of the time, I can find space to move over to allow cars to pass, but my preference is that a driver doesn't think they have enough room to pass me and my trailer. They can wait a minute 'til I can get out of their way.

i can't wait to have a kid and get him/her out on a bike... even if it is in a trailer first. are the trailers better than the seats that are on the bike directly behind the person riding it?

I found this from Consumer Reports. It's not very in-depth, but gives some thoughts.

I don't have anything to back it up, but I would say a trailer is far safer.

I was walking along the north shore last year near PNC park. A dad was out biking with two kids. His baby in a seat on a rack type thing, and his 4-5 year old on his own kids bike. Looked like he just ditched the training wheels. The little kid was not really paying attention, looking at something else and started over the edge into the river. He had one wheel over when a 3rd party dumped his own bike to grab the kid. Dad dumped his bike (with the baby on the back) and ran over. Both kids ended up screaming bloody murder, but I think they were both more scared than hurt. If he used a trailer I think the baby would have fared better. I'm sure someone has an anecdotal story that suggests the opposite.

Depends how committed you want to get, but if you want to go big, the best possible thing to get is a bakfiets cargo bike. Lots of bucks, but you can use it for everything else long after the kids are grown.

Obviously in the US use a baby seat and helmet.

are the trailers better than the seats that are on the bike directly behind the person riding it?

We briefly had a seat, but neither my wife or I liked it. They are significantly cheaper than a trailer, but they also alter your balance on the bike. It's also much easier to get your kid into a trailer than it is a seat.

Another option is the Bob bike seat

The car seat combined with an Xtracycle is also an interesting idea. Eric, did you ever set yours up this way?

I have used both the trailer and the seat - and often together.

The seat does raise your center of gravity, so you have to account for that. However, if I was/is ideal for me as I do not feel it limits me in any way as far as where I can go, and what my options are.

(As to the example of the dad with one in the seat, one on the bike by the river - that's probably not a good idea. Bring mom along next time, and maybe take the training wheels off somewhere where the tyke won't drown?)

The trailer in combination with the seat has been great also. I have used it bopping around the neighborhood (Aspinwall - little less traffic than the east end), and on trails. You just have to be thinking ahead - will your trailer fit. We like to park on the North Side by PNC Park, ride across Ft. Duquesne/Fort Pitt bridges to the South Side Trail. We can make it across the bridges (on the walks) although I rode myself a few weeks ago and there are construction signs that dramatically reduce the space. My trailer would never make it.

So I am a big fan of both. We got the seat at a yard sale for $5 and the trailer at Dick's for $100 or so. The trailer is four years old now, and still works just fine (which frankly is more life than I expected to get out of it).

As far as riding with my kids in the city... yes on the seat, no in the trailer. But that's me. I would defer to your own gut on that.

I'm a big fan of the trailer. I've heard a couple of friend of a friend type stories where people have managed to go down and flip the trailer with no harm to the kids inside were strapped in and hanging upside down with no injuries. It would take a lot to flip them though, if you just lay the bike down and it keeps going in a relatively straight direction, the trailer will remain on its wheels, or it does with the Burley hitch at least. I've been really happy with the Burley trailer, mine is almost 10 years old with no problems. Each successive kid has been disappointed when I tell them they've gotten too big for it around age 5. They have a blast when more than one of them is back there, the trunk space behind the seat is useful for packing a picnic, and the pockets for carrying toys keeps the boredom at bay if you want to try something a bit longer.

When my kids were 1 then were generally out cold in 15 min or so having the wall of the trailer to lean a head on at least looks like it is easier on their neck then just flopping forward.

As for riding the roads, is the bigger danger the trailer getting run over from behind or you falling into the street? I don't know the general answer, but I've fallen a lot more than I've been hit and all my car on bike incidents have been sideswipes so I'm much more comfortable with the trailer. As stated earlier, take the lane when in the street and remove all doubt that someone can squeeze by you. Use the safety flag and make sure it is on the left side of the trailer.

I have the Burley ST D'Lite for my 20 month-old twins. I love it. Just got back from a trip to Montreal where I used it with them almost every day.

You may be able to find some deals on 2009 models. Be careful, though, there were some big recalls in 2008/2009 I think. Although I generally shop at local bike stores, I ended up buying a recalled one from an authorized Burly dealer in South Dakota (I think). I matched the serial number to see if was a recalled item, and since it was, I had them send me a certificate that they fixed the problem in accordance with Burley's standards. The local stores were asking >$550 and I got it for $399. I'll try to look up the name of the store.

Also, I'd be lying if I didn't say I'm a little disappointed over how long the girls will ride in it. All kids are different, but at the one-year mark, they would only go for a few mile. They're getting much better now, and I think it'll be a ton of fun when they hit 2. Just be patient.

Trailer. You will find that motorists give you a lot more space, as well. I'd much rather ride in the city with a kid in a trailer than strapped into a bike seat behind me. The most common crashes are far more likely to injure a child on a seat than in a trailer.

There is one risk that is unique to trailers: road debris. Always ride with the screen down. It only takes one little stone in someone's face to ruin your ride.

Just found the place: Taylor's Bike Shop from Utah... I checked the site quickly, but the deals don't look as good as when they were overstocked with the 09 D'Lite.

http://taylorsbikeshop.com