When I was a teenager, I promised myself that my first car would be a non-fossile-fuel-burning vehicle. Electric and fuel-cell technologies are right around the corner, but while I wait for these to become widely available and cost effective, I make my way through life as a cyclist. One of the biggest limitations of replacing a car with a bike is the inability to schlep cargo, or specifically the most precious cargo, kids.

The solution: A BIKE TRAILER!

Not Just for Kids

Back in college I bought my first Burley, and loved it. I used it to do all my grocery shopping (yes, you can fit 6 watermelons and make it across town, albeit slowly, to that picnic) and to run my recycling out to the recycling center before there was curbside pickup (cuz how silly would that be to drive a car to do the recycling?) .

I even used that old Burley instead of a moving truck to move all my stuff when I moved in with my girlfriend (today I call her ‘old wifey’); it only took 47 trips (but what is 47 trips when you’re in love?).

The Perfect Family “Car”

When my son was old enough to sit up (5 months, overachiever that he is) and my daughter was old enough to explain to me the laws of physics underlying the motion of a bicycle (19 months, overachiever that she is), I knew we were ready to invest in the new family car…the double bike trailer, surprisingly only a couple inches wider than the single. At the time, we were in Germany and I surely had expected that our best bet was to buy something German-engineered and built in the local bicycle-friendly countryside. To my surprise, I learned from talking to other cyclists and bike shop owners that the best you can buy worldwide is the Burley D’lite, designed and manufactured in the USA!

What makes it so great?

1. It’s light. Very easy for one person to lift it.
2. It’s safe: 5-point harnesses, Parking brake, Reflective piping, Safety flag, Front and rear safety lights, Secondary hitch safety strap
3. It’s roomy. At ages 4 and 5, both of my kids still fit in it together. There is also a good sized trunk for gear. You won’t find this in the babyjogger version.
4. It’s comfy for the kiddos. With soft seats and straps and decent suspension.
5. It’s weather proof. Keeps wind and rain off the kids so they can cozily enjoy the pitter pat of rain drops snuggled up under a blanket while Daddy pedals through the storm. On nice days, you can put down the screen for bug-free fresh air.
6. It compacts well. Fold it up, take off the wheels, and easily tuck it in a corner or check it at the airport.
7. It converts to a jogger. For a little extra money, you can add on the jogger kit.

Fuel Efficient

I hear people complain about high gas prices due to their fuel effeciency of 20-30 miles per gallon, and I smile thinking about Lester Brown’s estimate of 7 miles to the potato for a cyclist. I’m not a big fan of potatoes, but I bet it only takes one piece of chocolate cake to fuel up enough to get the kids to school and dash across town to work.

So while the sun is shining (or not) and the kids (or watermelons) are little, what the heck are you still doing driving a car? Get a Burley.

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