A bicycle built for three
Filed Under Stuff | April 25, 2008
To compliment our column on getting your kids started bike riding we wanted to let you know about a bike that may even get you back in the saddle again.
The Winther Kangaroo Bike from Denmark is new to Canada and makes bike trailers seem passé. It’s ostensibly a tricycle, and nestled between the two front wheels is a roomy, covered cabin that fits two kids up to about six-years-old.
Made and manufactured in Denmark, Winther’s been very thorough in their design. The kid’s seats have seatbelts (but of course) and can face forwards or backwards. You can even get a baby seat for it. It’s designed to be impact-resistant, with a 3-point steering system to 
make it stable, and adjustable handlebars for shorter and taller riders. And because your kids are up front where you can see them – and they can chat with you through the side or rear window – it feels more reassuring (to us at least) than a bike trailer. Oh yeah, there’s a handy space for groceries or bags behind the seats as well.
So what’s something like this going to set you back? Well, at $3,899 it’s not for everyone. But we think it’d be awfully handy if you don’t have a car, were trying to reduce your car use, or get rid of your car altogether. The Kangaroo Bike is perfect for daycare and preschool drop off and pick up, trips to the grocery store or general outing and abouting. And you’d be saving on gas and getting into shape…
Despite not having been on a bike for more than a (long) while ourselves, we took one for a test spin. The kids loved it and kept wanting us to go faster – hence the getting into shape part. It definitely has a wider turning radius than your average bike and you’d want to ride it around somewhere quiet a few times to get the feel of it, but we walked stiffly away wanting one for ourselves.
The Kangaroo Bike isn’t yet available in stores, but you can check out all the details online at: www.kangaroobike.com and then contact local distributors Anna and Niels via email: tuenandweigelt@gmail.com or phone: 778.991.0373.
And if you like biking, check out Momentum Magazine – a magazine for “self propelled people”, this month’s lead article is about the family that cycles together.
4 Responses to “A bicycle built for three”
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Let us know what you think or share your great finds with us so we can share them with other Vancouver mothers!
I have one of these Kangaroo bikes….I LOVE IT!!! My sons are almost ½ and 4 years old, and they love the Kangaroo as well. Buy it!!!
Tina – Denmark
The Zigo Leader is also a 3-wheeled carrier bicycle/bakfiets, but it also converts to a stroller. It sells for $1349 in the US. Much cheaper than the Winther Kangaroo
The Zigo Leader doesn’t carry larger/older children. Teh Winther Kangaroo can carry an 8 to 10 year old!
By the time the kids are too big to fit into our Zigo Leader it will be time for them to have bikes of their own anyway. So no harm no foul. And the Zigo converts to a bike/stroller in about 2 minutes.