at0micgirl
New member
OK, I'm hoping this is the right forum to be asking this question, if not, feel free to move it or tell me. I also hope this won't be too controversial, but I really need your guys expertise and help on this one.
As some of you have read from a different post, I don't drive (or have a car). Nor do I want one. (Not just for money issues, but also for the environment, etc.)
In the spring, summer, and fall, I bike with my son in our Burley solo trailer. (Love it! )
BUT in the winter, here in Minneapolis, MN, I occasionally HAVE to take a bus to get longer-distances (like to St. Paul for the Children's Museum).
The problem I have is the MN DOT/Metro Transit policy regarding child safety.
They insist that a parent MUST take their child OUT of any stroller or trailer with a harness, and carry the child on their lap.
At first, I wasn't too worried about this, and I wrap him usually so it's not been a big deal for me.
But as he get's bigger, he doesn't want to be in the wrap, and/or I have so much stuff that I need to have the stroller with. Anyhow, that doesn't really matter.
What matters to me is that the kids on these buses are completely unrestrained. Bus accidents DO happen - I've been on one. I've also been in 5 car/truck accidents, both as passenger (3x) and as driver (2x), so I know what it's like.
There's no way that if the bus should even have to lurch to a stop, possibly rear-ending someone or hitting a driver taking a right in front of them (which is what happened to me), that a passenger holding a child, could also hold onto something to brace themselves. If the bus ROLLED, for instance, the child would go flying. (not to mention all the adults)
Again, I know that bus accidents are less than car accidents, but for the ONE time it happens to you, statistics don't really matter. It's still possible.
What I figured out recently, was that I could restrain my child's stroller so he's rear-facing using the handicap seatbelts and hooks through the wheels and bottom legs of the stroller. And with my son in the 5-point harness in the stroller (which unfortunately is not as safe as in a car seat or trailer harness since the 3-point does not cover his sternum), I figure it's still safer than NOTHING at all until I figure something else out.
If we rolled, he would at least be hanging upside down attached to the stroller attached to the bus, instead of flying all over the bus whacking all those poles.
If something came flying at him, he'd at least have SOME measure of a cage around him to give him a tiny bit of protection.
Also, if there are strollers on the bus unrestrained, I'd certainly hate to have one of those flying at me during an accident.
Obviously, it's not what I'm suggesting for any type of long-term solution, but the fact that our main source of public transportation has no measure of safety for children is quite maddening to me, really.
I'd like to see either some type of new invention of a carseat/stroller combo, or new stroller that could be locked into set places on the bus, just like wheelchairs can be - that's designed and tested for this, of course.
Or chairs facing the back with harnesses and restraints built in... or SOMETHING! It's not exactly like the bus system doesn't expect kids on the bus.
What I'm curious to hear from you guys is:
1. Do you think I'm making too big a deal out of this?
2. Does anyone know the statistics for bus accidents, esp. as it relates to children?
3. What would you suggest - either for a new policy/safety designs or just how I should deal with safety should I be unable to get MNDOT to change their policy.
What do you think??? I think the video/story that was just posted in the other thread about the school bus and fuel tanker go a long way toward showing the difference having a child restrained makes. :twocents:
As some of you have read from a different post, I don't drive (or have a car). Nor do I want one. (Not just for money issues, but also for the environment, etc.)
In the spring, summer, and fall, I bike with my son in our Burley solo trailer. (Love it! )
BUT in the winter, here in Minneapolis, MN, I occasionally HAVE to take a bus to get longer-distances (like to St. Paul for the Children's Museum).
The problem I have is the MN DOT/Metro Transit policy regarding child safety.
They insist that a parent MUST take their child OUT of any stroller or trailer with a harness, and carry the child on their lap.
At first, I wasn't too worried about this, and I wrap him usually so it's not been a big deal for me.
But as he get's bigger, he doesn't want to be in the wrap, and/or I have so much stuff that I need to have the stroller with. Anyhow, that doesn't really matter.
What matters to me is that the kids on these buses are completely unrestrained. Bus accidents DO happen - I've been on one. I've also been in 5 car/truck accidents, both as passenger (3x) and as driver (2x), so I know what it's like.
There's no way that if the bus should even have to lurch to a stop, possibly rear-ending someone or hitting a driver taking a right in front of them (which is what happened to me), that a passenger holding a child, could also hold onto something to brace themselves. If the bus ROLLED, for instance, the child would go flying. (not to mention all the adults)
Again, I know that bus accidents are less than car accidents, but for the ONE time it happens to you, statistics don't really matter. It's still possible.
What I figured out recently, was that I could restrain my child's stroller so he's rear-facing using the handicap seatbelts and hooks through the wheels and bottom legs of the stroller. And with my son in the 5-point harness in the stroller (which unfortunately is not as safe as in a car seat or trailer harness since the 3-point does not cover his sternum), I figure it's still safer than NOTHING at all until I figure something else out.
If we rolled, he would at least be hanging upside down attached to the stroller attached to the bus, instead of flying all over the bus whacking all those poles.
If something came flying at him, he'd at least have SOME measure of a cage around him to give him a tiny bit of protection.
Also, if there are strollers on the bus unrestrained, I'd certainly hate to have one of those flying at me during an accident.
Obviously, it's not what I'm suggesting for any type of long-term solution, but the fact that our main source of public transportation has no measure of safety for children is quite maddening to me, really.
I'd like to see either some type of new invention of a carseat/stroller combo, or new stroller that could be locked into set places on the bus, just like wheelchairs can be - that's designed and tested for this, of course.
Or chairs facing the back with harnesses and restraints built in... or SOMETHING! It's not exactly like the bus system doesn't expect kids on the bus.
What I'm curious to hear from you guys is:
1. Do you think I'm making too big a deal out of this?
2. Does anyone know the statistics for bus accidents, esp. as it relates to children?
3. What would you suggest - either for a new policy/safety designs or just how I should deal with safety should I be unable to get MNDOT to change their policy.
What do you think??? I think the video/story that was just posted in the other thread about the school bus and fuel tanker go a long way toward showing the difference having a child restrained makes. :twocents: