I was fortunate enough to be able to spend some quality time with my two boys while home on vacation. We took a great hike, got muddy and climbed some trees. The day could not have been better! Often I have thought that I would love to take one of the boys on a cycle ride. Heck, my wife used to ride with me all the time, but now she refuses stating, “If we got into an accident then the boys would have no one”. Her logic is clear enough, and it stems from her love of our children, so who am I to judge. Now my oldest child is turning seven, and I would love to include him in my love for anything motorcycles. I am not talking about a two week trek. What I am talking about are just quick jaunts to local hiking trails, the park, the lake and the ice cream stands. The quality time we could spend together would be immeasurable. The argument is moot because my wife will not allow it, but I still wonder about the question “when is safe for a child to ride on a motorcycle?”
I believe ultimately that it must be the parent’s choice, but I know that there must be some individual state laws that say something about it. Any thoughts on the subject?
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In the UK the law says only that the pillion's feet must be able to reach the pegs. There have been a few attempts by legislators to introduce a minimum age, usually in the wake of an accident, but so far they've been seen off. It needs to be for the parents to decide. I hope you'll get to share the joy of riding with your boys one day soon.
ReplyDeleteI too hope that you will get to experience riding with your little ones. I can still remember riding on the back on my mom's old Honda 125 while out riding in the woods. She made a cushion for the back rack that I rode on. I thought it was great. I think in Oregon it is the same as the UK, pillion riders feet have to reach the pegs. Maybe get your kids started on dirt bikes and move up to having them as pillion riders when/if they get the bug. Good luck and happy riding.
ReplyDeleteSounds like it's time for a sidecar rig. Hey, if Dom can do it...
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ReplyDeleteI’ve got to side with your wife on this one. When my kids were young I rigged a jump seat on the gas tank. I only took them around the block and they always wore helmets. During this same time period a friend of mine went down with a blown out tire. The last thing he told his son was, “Hold on we’re going down.” Needless to say my kids didn’t get back on my bikes until after they could reach the rear pegs and I had a secure back rest. I also made sure they ‘immediately’ let me know if they were afraid. This is one of those times common sense outweighs the law. Here’s wishing you and you’re a Happy Thanksgiving
ReplyDeleteThat is one precious priceless pic.....its a helluva lot nicer than the pic of MY lil' biker dude um, I mean, great Uncle Alvin ;-)
ReplyDeleteMy boys, 7 and 9, ride with me all the time,(DIRT BIKES) however I have only taken them on one trip completely alone. Normally my wife is with us in her buggy or back at camp and there are other campers/riders in the area. I felt uneasy taking them all alone, but told them if anything happened to go back to the trailer and make a phone call or find someone to help. Luckily nothing happened. We were in a remote area on an off weekend. I think my boys are just to that age that they could make it back to camp and make a call and/or get some help. Legally they can't ride in Utah till 8 on public land, but they have both been riding a bit longer;) I know that dirt biking is a bit different than street, but some input nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteGREAT photo!!!! Yeah, this IS a tough one...I know that we will face this dilema too...Pete sold his motorcycle about 5 years ago (actually we joke that he traded it in for a ride-on John Deere lawn mower when we lived on a large plot of land in rural GA) but I know that the time will come again soon enough when he'll want to buy another one. And soon after that, he'll want to take our son for rides too. In fact, last year, Pete's father drove down from Upstate NY to visit us and brought with him Pete's childhood dirt bike! It sits in our garage waiting for Nate to get old enough to fix it up with his dad and ride it...and I know that even I, (the girl who as a teenager used to skateboard and ski down moguls, and jump from rope swings into lakes) will be completley against it and paranoid when I finally allow it, knowing that at SOME point, I will have to give in! Ugggghhhhh, the responsibilities of parenthood!
ReplyDeleteI hope all is well with you Rob!
I guess it’s whatever you feel comfortable with. My daughter started riding on the back at 2 years old. Now at 20 years old, she’s had her bike licenses for 3 years. Riding on the back and finally on the front was always her decision. It was never forced. I think that’s the most important factor. Of course she can’t remember a time when there weren’t bikes in the garage. Being raised around bikes might have something to do with it.
ReplyDeleteI was reading this and thought about how
ReplyDeleteI was no older than 6 on the front of my dads bike...quick rides through town of course..nothing crazy, but I loved being up front, sitting there holding the handlebars..
I will never forget it. Then when I got old
enough, which I have no memory of what 'old enough' was at that point either, but I was
allowed to sit on the back with my dad's belt
loops on his jeans as my security!!! As long as I hand my hands looped around those belt loops, I was good. I think 7 is plenty old enough.
This past summer, my brother rode out from Utah
and put my 7 year old on his bike. Took her two towns over for his favorite sandwich. She was fine...so fine infact she would loooove if her daddy had a bike! My little adrenaline junky. already at 8.