These days, more and more parents are seen rollerblading with their child in a stroller. This has led to many other concerned parents asking if rollerskating with a stroller is really safe? Well, let’s find out if truly, you can rollerblade with a stroller.
Benefits of Rollerblading With a Stroller
The truth here is rollerblading with your child in a stroller is a fun activity for both you and the baby. Moreover, it will help you lose that baby fat of yours in no time if you have been thinking of getting back in shape quickly.
Is It Safe to Rollerblade With a Stroller?
Rollerskating with a stroller is relatively safe if you are comfortable with it and observe safety rules. Many parents, due to one reason to the other has objected to rollerblading with their child in a stroller. However, it’s no big deal rollerblading and at the same time, pushing your child in a stroller. All jogging strollers come with a safety strap and a hand brake, which means that your child’s safety is guaranteed to a large extent.
Which Type of Stroller Is Best for Rollerblading?
To maximize your safety and that of your child, you should get a jogging stroller. It’s the best stroller for rollerblading and here is why.
Jogging strollers have features that a standard or lightweight stroller don’t and that’s why it’s not recommended that you buy any of the latter. Jogging strollers are more stable, which translates to smooth riding.
Lightweight strollers are fragile, have very small wheels, and doesn’t come with any suspension to protect the baby should shocks happen. In summary, standard or lightweight strollers won’t keep your baby safe during rollerblading because they are simply unsuitable.
Jogging strollers have the following features:
- Handbrakes
Strollers having a handbrake is crucial to rollerblading, especially if you are rollerblading on a hilly terrain. When you are rollerblading, you are moving at a faster speed compared to when you are strolling and it will be difficult to stop both the stroller and the rollerblades with the toe brake. Even if you do, you will be endangering your life in the process.
This is why handbrakes are essential. With it in the stroller, you will have full control over the speed and you won’t have to deliberate or hesitate on whether you should stop your rollerblades first or the stroller. You will be able to stop the stroller quickly at anytime. Handbrakes are independent of the toe brake in the rollerblade, so you can both stop rollerblading and strolling at the same time.
Note that not all jogging strollers are equipped with a handbrake. So you have to be extra observant in the purchase of a jogging stroller. Brands like Thule Urban Glide, Baby Jogger Summit X3, etc have a handbrake in their jogging strollers. You can also purchase the Chicco TRE jogging stroller as it comes with a more advanced type of brake. This jogging stroller has dual deceleration and parking handbrake, giving you full control over the stroller.
- 3 – Big Wheel Construction with Lockable and Swivel Front
The best jogging strollers are usually the 3-wheel models. These strollers have swivel front wheels and the best thing about them is you can lock them if you are moving at a higher speed or on a rough terrain.
Most jogging strollers have this feature, especially the ones that we have mentioned here. The Chicco TRE jogging stroller, however has a remote wheel lock on the handlebar to lock the front wheels. This means that you don’t have to bend to lock the front wheels. It is handy and within your reach.
- Suspension System
As you know, rollerblades can make you go at a higher speed and that means that your baby will be more exposed to bumps, especially if the road isn’t smooth. Well, you don’t need to be worried about endangering your baby because most jogging strollers come with a suspension system.
In case you don’t know what a suspension system is, it acts as a shock absorber. It ensures that your baby is safe and comfortable, even in the midst of bumps. This is one of the reasons why standard and lightweight strollers aren’t good for rollerblading. The baby’s life would be endangered and the bumps wouldn’t be good for his/her spine and head.
- Wrist Strap
Most jogging strollers are equipped with a wrist wrap that prevents the stroller from pulling away or getting out of control. The wrist wrap is tied to the wrist, and it acts as a safety strap.
- Handlebar
A handlebar is another feature in jogging strollers. If you are in the market for jogging strollers, make sure you purchase the one that comes with adjustable handlebar. Since you are going to wear rollerblades, you will significantly get taller and by being taller, your hands will slightly be out of reach of the handlebar. However, if the handlebar is adjustable, you can quickly adjust the height so that it meets you at your comfortable hand level. It’s unpleasant to slouch over to push the handlebar. Your hands will definitely hurt in the long run. Adjusting the height will reduce wrist fatigue and maintain your standing posture.
- Canopy
Choosing a jogging stroller with large canopy is vital to the safety of the child. Sometimes, your baby may be exposed to sun rays and providing cover would be the most logical thing to do. This is why you must consider choosing a jogging stroller with large canopy – to prevent your baby from sun rays and sunburns.
Most of these canopies come equipped with a peek-a-boo window so that you can keep an eye on your baby from time to time. You can check the baby directly from the front or both sides.
How to Rollerblade With a Stroller
First of all, your child or baby must be over 9 months old to sit in a stroller. Depending on how fast the growth of the baby is, you can start as early as when the baby is 6 months old. Avoid keeping a child that’s less than 6 months old in a stroller because the can’t sit without being aided by someone.
Fasten your baby to the seat belt and put some special padding around the head for more support. You can use rolled blankets instead. skate slowly and remember that you are with a child, so avoid speedy rollerblading. Do some training to exercise the legs, abs, and your hands because that’s what you will be using throughout the course of your rollerblading with your stroller.
Use the safety wrist strap to connect your hand or arm to the stroller. This is important so that the stroller won’t pull away without your notice. Rollerblade and check your child every now and then to make sure that the baby is okay.
What You Should Avoid
- Avoid rollerblading with headphones.
- Avoid crowded places. Skate in shaded areas if possible and in less crowded places like parks.
- Avoid areas with dogs. Children and dogs is a dangerous combination and they are very unpredictable.
Conclusion
Rollerblading with a stroller is fun and your child will grow to love it. It’s also a great way to bond with the baby. What most rollerbladers don’t know is it’s near impossible to fall down when skating with a stroller. So to some extent, the stroller acts as an additional support. However, try to rollerblade safely and ensure that you observe all the safety rules. The baby should be handled with utmost care during this exercise.
