Riding with your child on a motorcycle is an excellent way to bond and spend quality time together. However, it can be dangerous for both you and your child if safety precautions are not taken.
Open Communication
The first step should always be to discuss the idea with your child’s teacher and let them know that this is something you’d like to do as a family if you haven’t already. This way, if there are any issues or concerns from other parents, it can be addressed ahead of time, making everyone feel more at ease about the situation. Next, make sure to explain why you’re riding motorcycles to school together and how much fun it’ll be. Finally, if possible, allow students who may not ride bikes regularly (or ever) an opportunity for one or two rides with their parents permission.
How Old Should My Kid be Before They Start Riding?
It’s recommended that children only begin riding with you on the motorcycle when they’re between eight years old and ten years old. This gives them plenty of time to get used to the motorcycle without putting themselves in a dangerous situation, for example to holding on correctly to the motorcycle or the rider.
Three is a Crowd
There should never be more than two people per motorcycle to reduce the risk of injury and ensure a safe ride for everyone involved.
Safety First
It’s important to remember that when you’re riding with your child, their safety is dependent on yours as well. You must wear protective gear, including helmets, gloves, boots or sturdy shoes, pants made from Kevlar or similar material, and very durable jackets that have been approved by an organization like Snell Memorial Foundation (Snell). Make sure all clothing fits snugly, so it doesn’t catch on anything when moving around while the motorcycle is in motion. Additionally, make sure young passengers are also wearing the proper protection such as a helmet and other forms of protective gear. For appropriate safety gear, click here.
Stay in Control
When riding with your child, the number one rule is to always stay in control of your motorcycle and never leave them unattended (even if the motorcycle isn’t on). The reason for this is because if you’re not prepared or able to stop suddenly it can lead to dangerous accidents. If there is more than one child that wants to ride with you on the motorcycle, take turns. Lastly, make sure that all passengers remain seated while riding unless specifically instructed otherwise by an adult because standing up increases the risk of injury during sharp turns or stops. Go through scenarios with your child of different motorcycle rides and what to do and what not to do. Make sure that your reasoning is at an age appropriate level for them to understand.