There are a variety of ways you can carry your little nippers on your bike. The most common way is using a rear seat fitted on to the back of your bike.

The quality of these can vary: When I originally bought mine for my oldest, I didn't have a choice as there was only one bike shop where I used to live.

The seat was attached only to the main seat post and so it bounced as we moved along, making an embarrassing squeak when we cycled over speed bumps.

As my son passed his fourth birthday and got too heavy for it, it began to sound rather like a distressed rodent.

Other designs of bike seats are fixed more firmly, however, and can be ridden until a child is six, although their knees often stick out like wings as they get bigger (the seats have other uses too: I've a couple of friends who refuse to take the bike seat off at all because they are great for carrying shopping, or business folders that don't fit into bike baskets.) An alternative place for kids, particularly when they are little, is on a little seat fixed on to the crossbar, fitting snugly between your arms.

Once my kids became too heavy for the bike seat, I opted for a trailer-bike (also known as a tag-along). These have one wheel and a bike saddle with a curved frame that attaches to the back of your bike. They are easy to come across second-hand, and are the cheapest of the different trailer options.

Designs vary: While the one I got for my older boy was strong and sturdy, my current model screeches round corners, doesn't attach as easily, and feels more wobbly than the previous one, so make sure you do a test ride before you get one.

The latest version of tag-along that I've seen comes with padded backrest and seatbelt - next I expect they will have a cup-holder and footrest.

The largest trailers are built like mini-caravans, and can seat two kids, along with your gear or lots of shopping. They have lightweight aluminium frames and allow your kids to be strapped in.

My criticism of them is that they are low to the ground so two cars behind you can't always see that there's a trailer there and not a gap.

The latest models are sturdy with three wheels or more, and the frame allows for a roll in the event of an accident. They can also be used as a three-wheeled double pushchair. One friend managed to wheel her kids to my house in one during the gale-force winds last week, and it proved no trouble.

Another problem with large trailers is that they take up a lot of room, although this makes them a lot safer - if you are taking up the whole lane, cars will have to give you enough room.

But whatever you choose, getting kids into the habit when young will hopefully encourage them to cycle for themselves when they are older.

Quieter back routes when taking kids are often safest and quickest - and you might actually make it to school on time instead of being stuck in all that traffic in a car.