In 2022 we decided to upgrade our beloved bakfiets bike to a slightly bigger one – selling our Riese and Müller Load 60 and ordering the Load 75. We absolutely love both of these bikes! This post details our use of the Melia seat in a custom way that was super comfy for both our kiddos in the box (big brother is 5 years old). At first we put our new baby in a carseat strapped inside on the table. This provided maximum support for his body before he learned to hold up his head and sit – but it was really cramped.

Once he was stronger we set him up in the Melia seat and this gave us a lot more room. Inspired by others on the R & M Facebook page using straps across the box to hold the Melia – I used webbing and buckles to make some custom attachments. I love having something I can easily buckle in and out without fussing with straps for several minutes each time I need to get the seat in/out. With my solution completed, I only need to clip three buckles and I’m ready to load in the kiddos.

Supplies

  • 20mm-wide webbing
  • Standard sewing machine
  • Lighter (to melt the edge of the webbing and prevent fraying)
  • 3 buckle sets (28 mm wide)
  • Melia Toddler seat (recommended for 7-18 months, made in the Netherlands)

Webbing and Buckles

Create 3 total sets of straps like the set pictured below. On one end you have a loop, secured with sewing machine. On the other end melt the end to prevent fraying and thread through your buckle piece. From each set, one buckle side goes onto the bike and the other attaches to the Melia seat. When the seat is not in use, I leave all the straps looped into the bike for a very quick seat insert next time I need it.

Bike Placement

Recently we slide the Melia seat as close as possible to the right side of the bike to accommodate my tall 5-year-old’s knees (see below). If you have three total kiddos you may want to experiment with the buckle coming out through the bottom of the Melia Seat and/or from the outside top of the walls so you can raise it higher from the ground a bit more. For short rides the seat resting on kid legs is also tolerable – but it really depends on the kids!

Hope this is helpful, have a great time on your bike!