“Taga”, the Buggy that becomes a Bike…in 20 seconds

May 14, 2009 by Baby Chums
Filed under: News, Product News

Parents can now get fit with their new baby or child and go about their normal day, thanks to a, “buggy” or pushchair that converts into a child carrying bicycle in only 20 seconds.

The three-wheeled, “Taga” which is described by makers as the ultimate ‘yummy mummy accessory’, can carry youngsters from birth up to the age of six years old.

Mums and Dads can pedal their children from home to the park or shops and still have the convenience of a pushchair once they arrive.

The bike saves on costly petrol and parking charges and helps protect the environment because it is carbon emission free.

Children are carried in forward-facing seats between the handlebars and are secured by a five-point harness.

A head cushion offers children added protection and a fully-sealed chain guard ensures that no clothes or body parts can get trapped.

It is easily disassembled for storage and can be fitted with a wide variety of accessories including a shopping basket or rain hood.

Taga, which is available in red, green, orange or light-blue, has been developed over the last four years by a team of international designers and engineers.

Taga general manager Hagai Barak said the pushchair-bicycle, which has just gone on sale in the UK, turned a standard journey into an adventure. He said: ‘Taga is what all busy city living, environmentally conscious parents have been waiting for.

‘Navigating any town or city with small children can be challenging, not to mention time consuming, costly and harmful to the environment if you must go everywhere by car.

‘Taga has been specifically designed to allow parents and children to travel together more intimately and easily, turning a typical urban journey into an adventure.

‘Unlike in a regular bike with a rear child seat, the innovative design of Taga ensures that the child really feels part of the journey it’s making with its parent.

‘That makes Taga not only extremely functional but also a great bonding experience for both parent and child.’

The frame is made of extra-thick aluminium alloy tubes making it much stronger than a standard bicycle and perfect for carrying heavy loads.

It is equipped with state of the art Shimano internal gears and advanced braking systems.

Catherine Hanly, from parenting advice website raisingkids.co.uk, said the Taga was a comfortable ride and likely to prove popular with mums and dads.

She said: ‘Anything that gets mums and dads out of the car for short journeys is a great idea.

‘What is so good about the Taga is that you do not have to worry about leaving your bike outside the shop and carry your kids around.

‘You can easily convert the Taga from a bike into a pushchair and then push your children around the supermarket.

‘With all that cycling it is sure to increase fitness too.

‘I think the Taga will do equally well with mums and dads because it is a nice clean modern design in neutral colours.’

Steve Masters, Editor, UKparentslounge.com and father of two girls, said: ‘The idea of being able to cycle while still pushing or carrying baby is ingenious.

‘Most mothers on the move with their babies are restricted to either a bicycle with seat attachment or pushing some kind of buggy - this one allows both options.

‘Obviously the price tag reflects the innovation and durability in its design, but with the multiple applications this offers, it is an investment.

‘Because of the bicycle application, parents can keep fit on the move, rather than resorting to the car when they need to get somewhere quickly.

‘In the high street the cycle part can be folded over to convert it into a buggy for pushing.

‘I can’t think of any other way a mum could use a bike with a child seat and still be able to use a buggy in the same trip.’

Taga costs from £1,695 and is available from nursery and bicycle shops.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1181555/Could-ultimate-fit-gadget-yummy-mummies-Introducing-buggy-turns-bike-20-seconds.html