Hello all,

I'm currently studying for my degree in product design and was looking for some first hand experience parents have had with their buggies/push chairs.

There seem to be a lot already available but I still see some issues which could be addressed/incorporated such as; parents struggling on and off public transport, or children left “un-engaged” and “bored” strapped in to their seats with little stimulus and in some cases parents made to feel like a nuisance just for walking down the street. At the moment I don’t have any set ideas/routes I wish to pursue or any personal knowledge of any problems parents face these are just suggestions from observations.

I’ve devised a few preliminary questions about general buggy/pushchair use that I would greatly appreciate any answers too. Also it might be beneficial for other parents to see what works and what doesn’t when it comes to buggies/push chairs etc or just to discus any issues you have with them?.

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1. What kind of area would you say you lived in?
Rural Suburban Urban

2. If you own a buggy/push chair what brand is it and why did you purchase it ?

3. How often do you use your buggy/pram in an ‘urban’ (dense/large town/city areas) environment Daily? Weekly? Etc.

4. How often do you use your buggy/push chair on public transport?

5. What problems do you encounter (if any) using a buggy/push chair on public transport or in urban areas? from physical obstacles to social/emotional observations?

6. What about your current buggy/push chair works well?, What features would you say are essential and what could be improved?
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Thank you in advance
- J

1. What kind of area would you say you lived in?
Rural Suburban Urban

2. If you own a buggy/push chair what brand is it and why did you purchase it ? MAMAS AND PAPAS ARIA

3. How often do you use your buggy/pram in an ‘urban’ (dense/large town/city areas) environment Daily? Weekly? Etc. NEVER

4. How often do you use your buggy/push chair on public transport? NEVER

5. What problems do you encounter (if any) using a buggy/push chair on public transport or in urban areas? from physical obstacles to social/emotional observations?

I wont go on public transport due to the limited space for the buggy.
Its very hard to use a buggy in crowds.People will bang their shopping bags into my sons face and not even think about apologising!
I much prefer to use a sling when in built up areas.
My son is now 14m and at the stage where he hates being fastened into his pram.Its easier to put him on reins and just walk very slowly

6. What about your current buggy/push chair works well?, What features would you say are essential and what could be improved?

I like the fact it lays back so he can nap when he wants
The large shopping basket is very handy
The handle height is too low and I end up with backache if I use it for too long
TBH I dont use the buggy that often so the various features offered on other prams don't really interest me.As long as it fits my child and moves then its fine

HTH,Julie

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1. What kind of area would you say you lived in?
Rural Suburban Urban

2. If you own a buggy/push chair what brand is it and why did you purchase it ?

Chicco multiway stroller, Mamas & papas Pliko.....both bought as I needed a lighter but sturdy pram but nothing too flimsy

3. How often do you use your buggy/pram in an ‘urban’ (dense/large town/city areas) environment Daily? Weekly? Etc.

Daily

4. How often do you use your buggy/push chair on public transport?

Can be used up to 3-4times a week some weeks

5. What problems do you encounter (if any) using a buggy/push chair on public transport or in urban areas? from physical obstacles to social/emotional observations?

No space for prams, bus drivers driving off before you have put brakes on,not enough buses for prams. So I use my sling a lot more

6. What about your current buggy/push chair works well?, What features would you say are essential and what could be improved?

I would much prefer a lightweight pram where my child can face me and talk to me, one thats not too low to get all the fumes from traffic etc.

Essential features are: Reclining seat, easy to fold, raincover that fits but not too snug so toddlers legs cause it to come off
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I may add to this more as I think of things

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1. What kind of area would you say you lived in?
Rural

2. If you own a buggy/push chair what brand is it and why did you purchase it ?
chicco - was on sale

3. How often do you use your buggy/pram in an ‘urban’ (dense/large town/city areas) environment Daily? Weekly? Etc.
once maybe twice a week

4. How often do you use your buggy/push chair on public transport?
now and again

5. What problems do you encounter (if any) using a buggy/push chair on public transport or in urban areas? from physical obstacles to social/emotional observations?
struggling up the steps of a bus holding a baby and a buggy, struggling through narrow gaps. Nowhere to store the pushchair while on the bus, people moaning that the pushchair is in the way.

6. What about your current buggy/push chair works well?, What features would you say are essential and what could be improved?
Lightweight, Foldable with 1 hand, Carry handle. Essential that it lays back so my child can be comfortable.

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1. What kind of area would you say you lived in?
Rural Suburban Urban

2. If you own a buggy/push chair what brand is it and why did you purchase it ?
Silver Cross Pop. Needed a decent buggy after getting rid of the pram and I've always trusted Silver Cross

3. How often do you use your buggy/pram in an ‘urban’ (dense/large town/city areas) environment Daily? Weekly? Etc.
Probably about once a month

4. How often do you use your buggy/push chair on public transport?
Never, use the car!

5. What problems do you encounter (if any) using a buggy/push chair on public transport or in urban areas? from physical obstacles to social/emotional observations?
N/A

6. What about your current buggy/push chair works well?, What features would you say are essential and what could be improved?
I love the pocket in the hood, the multi-position back and the fact that the straps are strong enough to hold in a toddler having an "I want to walk" tantrum! The carry handle and strap aren't important to me, but I would think they would be ideal for those that use public tranport so you can have the buggy in one hand (or on one shoulder) and your child in the other. The only thing I would improve is the length of the raincover. Jaidyn's feet stick out the bottom unless I have the leg rest up.

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1. What kind of area would you say you lived in?
Rural Suburban Urban

2. If you own a buggy/push chair what brand is it and why did you purchase it ?Loola as i needed something i could use the car seat on the chasis.

3. How often do you use your buggy/pram in an ‘urban’ (dense/large town/city areas) environment Daily? Weekly? Etc.Never, only use the buggy for the school run,( i park the car then take him out) and i aslo use it or the supermarket

4. How often do you use your buggy/push chair on public transport?never

5. What problems do you encounter (if any) using a buggy/push chair on public transport or in urban areas? from physical obstacles to social/emotional observations?The only time i'v been in a congested place was going on the train, it was a nightmare as ther were so many steps to climb down. some of the stations on the map says they are ok for wheelchair users so i assumed there would be a lift but there ere only the stair lift which is not usable for the puchchair.

6. What about your current buggy/push chair works well?, What features would you say are essential and what could be improved?The fact that you can use the car seat on the chasis makes it a number one choiuce for me, i aslo wanted the chasis to be umbrealla old so it could fit in my small boot, apart from that it does pretty much what the other travel systems have to offer.

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..Naz.Mummy to Zareenah (11) Ziyad (10) and Zayd (2)!

Thank you so much for your responses so far, very intresting and helpful

As a further note do you think most parents would like to feel better/more comfortable using there buggies/pushchairs in an urban environment? do some parents need to visit these areas?

Again thank you for the responses!

Would anyone else like to contribute who hasn't yet? Prior to me compling the results next week ?

Thanks for your time
- J

1. What kind of area would you say you lived in? Urban

2. If you own a buggy/push chair what brand is it and why did you purchase it ? Stokke Xplory - it's awesome!

3. How often do you use your buggy/pram in an ‘urban’ (dense/large town/city areas) environment? Weekly

4. How often do you use your buggy/push chair on public transport? Weekly

5. What problems do you encounter (if any) using a buggy/push chair on public transport or in urban areas? from physical obstacles to social/emotional observations? Only problem is crowding. It converts from 4 to 2 wheels so does stairs briliantly

6. What about your current buggy/push chair works well?, What features would you say are essential and what could be improved? The pushchair is quite high up so my baby always gets to look out the window and is never bored on our journeys. I love that the seat is high and out of the way of vehicle exhausts

hope this helps and wish you all the best with your degree

Lorrie x

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1. What kind of area would you say you lived in?
Glasgow suburban

2. If you own a buggy/push chair what brand is it and why did you purchase it ?
Icoo Pushchair
3. How often do you use your buggy/pram in an ‘urban’ (dense/large town/city areas)

environment Daily? Weekly? Weekly

4. How often do you use your buggy/push chair on public transport? regularly

5. What problems do you encounter (if any) using a buggy/push chair on public transport or in

urban areas? from physical obstacles to social/emotional observations? I never faced such

problems

6. What about your current buggy/push chair works well?, What features would you say are

essential and what could be improved? Its great and has some best features.