Keep using the bikes you have
The connecting arm links your adult bicycle and the child's bicycle, helping you travel together without having to invest in a different family bike.
Express your interestFamily cycling in Maynooth
Borrow a tow bar and bring your child along for the ride.
A child-bike tow bar links an adult's bicycle to a child's bicycle, so you can cycle together while they're still too young or inexperienced to ride independently.
Flexible loan periods, generally up to about three months.
- No cargo bike needed
- Fitting help available
- Borrow for everyday family trips
Maynooth Cycling Campaign has bought a small number of child-bike tow bars for local families to borrow.
They offer a practical way to make more trips by bike while a child is building the confidence and experience to cycle independently — without your family having to buy a cargo bike or a tow bar of its own.
A helping hand for family journeys
For the in-between stage of learning to cycle
The scheme is for a parent or carer who wants to cycle around town with a child who is not yet ready to make the whole journey independently.
Borrow it for long enough to be useful
Loan periods are flexible and will generally be up to about three months. We'll talk with you about availability and the period that would suit your family.
See how it worksFitting help
Not sure whether your bikes will suit?
Bring the adult's and child's bikes to us. We can look at them with you, check whether the combination is suitable and help fit the tow bar.
Every bike combination is different, so we'll confirm compatibility before a loan is agreed rather than asking you to work it out alone.
- Help with fittingTell us on the form if you'd like a hand checking and fitting the equipment.
- A flexible periodMost loans will be agreed for a period of up to about three months.
- No purchase neededThe campaign owns the equipment, so your family can borrow rather than buy.
- Compatibility firstA volunteer will talk through the bikes and fitting with you before the loan is confirmed.
How borrowing works
Start with a quick expression of interest.
We have a small number of tow bars, so the form begins a conversation rather than reserving equipment straight away.
1
Tell us you're interestedShare your contact details, the loan period you're considering and whether you'd like fitting help.
2
We get in touchA campaign volunteer contacts you to talk about availability, timing and the bikes you plan to use.
3
Check, fit and agree the loanIf needed, bring both bikes along so we can check compatibility and help fit the tow bar before you borrow it.
Tow-bar lending
Tell us you're interested and we'll be in touch.
Fill in a few details and a volunteer will contact you to talk about availability, fitting and the loan period. Sending this form does not reserve a tow bar.
Prefer to email us?
Write to maynoothcycling@gmail.com and mention the family tow-bar lending scheme.
Thank you — your interest is in. 🌿
A Maynooth Cycling Campaign volunteer will contact you to talk about availability, fitting and how long you'd like to borrow a tow bar.
This is an expression of interest, not a confirmed loan yet.
Good to know
Your questions, answered
How long can my family borrow a tow bar for?
Loan periods are flexible and will generally be up to about three months. A volunteer will agree the timing with you based on availability and what your family needs.
Do I need a cargo bike?
No. The tow bar is a long connecting arm between an adult's bicycle and a child's bicycle. We'll talk with you about whether your particular bikes are suitable.
What if I don't know whether our bikes are compatible?
That's fine. Tell us you'd like fitting help, then bring the adult's and child's bikes along so we can check them with you and help fit the tow bar if the combination is suitable.
Does the form guarantee that one is available?
No. We have a small lending pool, so the form records your interest first. A volunteer will contact you to discuss availability and confirm any loan.
Why is the campaign offering this?
We want to make everyday family cycling easier. A tow bar can help a child take part in trips around town while they're still gaining the confidence and experience to ride independently.