The Bacon Strip

Since my early days, I’ve had a special respect for the idea of Western Sidecars. In my view, rickshaws, adult tricycles and other pedal-powered utility machines have an important place in a future of waning petro-fuels. But these utility machines do not represent leisure and freedom the way that a sidecar rig does. When I think of Western Sidecars, I think of the kid in junior high with a platform of expanded steel welded to his bike with a mismatched wheel. Once I saw him hauling 3 or 4 standing passengers to a fight afterschool - pure leisure. I also think of a slow ride on a classic BMW along Franktown road, or maybe Highway 49. For that matter, even a Ural Offroad Sidecar Setup would satisfy that quest for simultaneous leisure and adventure.

Now, I love to dream, but I am faced with the realities of my life. I love riding my EX 250 when I’m not pedaling, but my wife just isn’t down with my hopes of putting our new son in a motorcycle sidecar anytime soon. Recently, however, a novel idea has come to my attention. The concept of the Western Sidecar has been adapted to a bicycle child carrier sidecar! Well, my wife thinks this is less safe than the pull-behind design for two reasons: the problem of car-door openings and the fact that the cyclist takes up more road. I know that the cyclist has the right of way and should be treated as a car by traffic, but I am less likely to be aggressive with a child in tow (or on the side) than I would be flying solo. Any thoughts or input on this would be appreciated, as I anticipate making a decision in the coming weeks on the type of carrier. In the meantime, please enjoy some of these bicycle sidecar designs and I hope to see more of these on the streets in the future.