Shotgun

Shotgun - Our Story

Our Beginnings

Our journey began in the New Zealand summer of 2017 when mountain biking was splitting up the family for Kids Ride Shotgun co-founder Dan Necklen. With kids aged 3, 7, and 9, the family had to split up to enjoy biking. Dan’s search for a suitable child seat led him to co-founder Tom Hayward, who designed a child bike seat for high-end full-suspension bikes. After several prototypes and feedback from MTB families and retailers, the first version of the Shotgun seat was launched, marking the brand's entry into the market.

Growth and Expansion

In March 2018, the Shotgun handlebar accessory was released, followed by investment in February 2019 that allowed for expansion into North America and Europe. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 accelerated global interest in biking, leading to the launch of new products, including a tow rope and a kids' book. This period also saw significant growth in Europe and an increase in staff from 4 to 14. The Shotgun Pro, an e-bike compatible child seat with zero frame contact, was introduced in 2021.

Looking Ahead

From our origins as a single-product business, we are now a leading brand in the emerging mountain biking with kids category. We are excited about raising the next generation of mountain bikers and continue to innovate in this space.