AboutSuzan Jackson Expertise I am a writer specializing in topics related to family, especially enjoying travel and the outdoors with children. My husband and I have traveled extensively with our own 2 sons - now ages 10 and 14 - since they were infants. I can advise on travel by air or car and on a variety of destinations across the US. We also enjoy many outdoor activities with our sons. For more information, see my websites: www.travelfamily.net and www.outdoorfamily.net.
Experience Traveling with my own 2 boys since they were infants, by air and car, to a wide variety of destinations, both urban and outdoor. Writing about travel with children.
Publications FAMILY FUN magazine
See my website www.travelfamily.net for articles and tips on traveling with kids.
Question We are planning to visit NYC again this spring. We have a 9 month old baby and enjoy taking the taxi's. I was wondering if they provide car seats or do I have to carry one around the city? What's the best way to travel in the city with a baby?
Answer Dear Mike -
Your question is a common one. Taxis do not provide car seats, and there are no easy answers on the car seat and cabs question.
NY law exempts taxis from car seat and seat belt laws, so you wouldn't be required to use a car seat, but I can understand if you're reluctant to go without one (we've had some harrowing rides in NY cabs ourselves!)
Carrying it around with you all day might be a real pain, unless you have (or can borrow) one of those convertible strollers that turns into a car seat.
If you choose to go without a car seat, you can still buckle your baby into the regular seat belt in the cabs. He'd be safest in the lap belt in the back center seat without the chest strap, since it would hit kids around the neck or face.
We traveled around NYC a few times with our kids when they were toddlers. We just opted to go without car seats, even though we're very safety conscious. We used seat belts and limited our taxi rides to times when it was really necessary, opting to walk with a stroller or baby backpack most of the time.
Like I said, there are no easy answers to your question, but those are the laws and your options. Hope that helps.
