Innovative ways to take the kids along

Baby-sitting and bicycling usually don’t mix -- unless you have a child carrier. A variety of innovative carriers are available today that will keep toddlers safe and older children interested. Here are four of the best ways to take your kid along for the ride.

Side by side, even around turns

Chariot Carriers SideCarrier: Cycling version of a motorcycle sidecar.

Likes: You can talk to your child at all times. Easy-to-use docking mechanism, takes seconds to slip on and off. Pivoting hitch keeps side carrier wheel grounded even during high-speed turns. Convenient; folds up to fit in trunk or can stay attached to bike on car rack. Fifty-pound maximum child weight.

Dislikes: Wide, and takes up a lot of space on the bike path (similar to a trailer).

Price: $400. (800) 262-8651; chariotcarriers.com.

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Easy attachment for a tandem ride

Trail-Gator: Tow bar that connects a kid’s bike to an adult’s bike.

Likes: Turns any pair of adult and children’s bikes into a tandem. Attaches in less than a minute. Safe for full-speed riding. Maximum child weight of 70 pounds.

Dislikes: Tow bar stays attached to adult bike after separation. Adult bike not fully functional as a solo bike until the tow bar is removed. (Removal took me about 15 minutes.)

Price: $89. (800) 408-5609 or (941) 316-9763; www.trail-gator.com.

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Fold it up and take it anywhere

Adams Folder Trail-a-Bike: Folding version of popular towable bike.

Likes: Instantly turns a regular bike into a tandem. Trail-a-bike folds in half and fits in trunk. Same fun, performance functions as Trail-Gator.

Dislikes: Trail-a-Bike has only one wheel, so it cannot be used as a single bike when unattached. Only has one speed (other Trail-a-Bike models have multi-speed capability).

Price: $165. (800) 663-8916; www.norco.com/adams.

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Your precious cargo is covered

Burley Solo trailer: Sleek, aerodynamic one-child trailer.

Likes: Child is well protected in fully enclosed compartment. Folds up in three seconds. Cargo area behind the seat. Trailer hitch attaches securely to frame in seconds. Includes handle and parking brake. Can be used as a stroller/jogger with optional extra wheel kit ($40).

Dislikes: You can’t talk to or see your child. Kids tend to fall asleep because they are neither physically active (as with trail bikes) nor actively talking to you (as with side carriers).

Price: $299. (866) 248-5635; www.burley.com.

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-- Roy M. Wallack