Child on bike

[HwyRider]

My next door neighbor asked me what the youngest a child can be to give them a ride on a motorcycle. I have no idea and didn't know what to tell him. I think he's just talking down the street and back. Not out for a ride.

Anyone ever take a young child for a little ride on your street and how old was the child?

[bullman]

I rode my child when they were 5. They need to be old enough to hang on. I was never a big fan of riding other peoples kids, you never know when they will just want to dismount

[redjay]

I took my son on the back of my bike when he was too young.
I forget the exact age, maybe 6 years old.

He fell asleep on the back even though we only went a few miles to see his grandpa.
I could feel his helmet hitting my back.
I had to grab him with my left hand to stop him falling off.
I never took him on the bike again until he was about 10.

[Monkeyman]

They have to be old enough to hang on and mature enough to know not to jump off, try to stand up, etc. Sometimes, that's at 5. Sometimes, that's at 15. If they're not mature enough to behave, they can ride in the car. Doesn't matter if it's down the street or across the country. Also, you damn well better make sure they're dressed right. As adults, we know the risks of wearing shorts, flip flops a t shirt and no helmet. At 5 (or 15), they're not generally mature enough to make good enough decisions. I normally leave people alone, but if I see someone risking a kids life/well being, I'll be the first one to call the cops.

[HwyRider]

I have no intention of taking any kid for a ride on my bike. I just had no idea of how young they were when they were taken out on a bike.

[SC50]

I took my nephew up the street on my old CBR, he was 6 at the time. Never left 1st gear up the road, and coasted with the clutch in back down. Him hollering "woohoo" the whole time was totally worth it

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[ringadingh]

I took my son when he was about 4-5 years old, you have to make sure that they hold on when they are that small. With a good backrest its easier for them.

[BigRed]

Originally Posted by HwyRider

My next door neighbor asked me what the youngest a child can be to give them a ride on a motorcycle. I have no idea and didn't know what to tell him. I think he's just talking down the street and back. Not out for a ride.

Anyone ever take a young child for a little ride on your street and how old was the child?

I am thinking that this might be different in each state. Here in Mass it is probably 18.

[HwyRider]

I'm not talking legal rides just a quick up and down the street or around the property if the property is big enough.

MA doesn't have a minmum age for passengers.

[Cajunrider]

I started riding my Grandson at 4 years old, against my daughter's wishes. My Son in Law was always good with it. Legal minimum age in Louisiana is 5. Both of my bikes had tourpaks and wrap around backrests. On longer rides (10 - 20 miles) he tended to fall asleep. I would periodically twist around to look at him and he would be fine. Then a few minutes later he would butt me in the back with his helmet. One day I had him count utility poles on the way home to keep him awake with about 8 miles left before getting back home. He will be 9 in October and still loves to ride.

[mick56]

I asked the question over here a few years ago, and was told that the child had to be able to put both feet squarely on the footrest's, make's sense to me

[WoodCarver]

Originally Posted by mick56

I asked the question over here a few years ago, and was told that the child had to be able to put both feet squarely on the footrest's, make's sense to me

The response you received is reflected in British Columbia as well as in Ontario legislation. In Ontario, there was legislation introduced to prohibit carrying passengers under the age of 14. I don't know if it was ever implemented but the article in the link above was critical of the proposal. Other factors are described as well.

[mick56]

Originally Posted by WoodCarver

The response you received is reflected in British Columbia as well as in Ontario legislation. In Ontario, there was legislation introduced to prohibit carrying passengers under the age of 14. I don't know if it was ever implemented but the article in the link above was critical of the proposal. Other factors are described as well.

I can see both side's of the conversation, and reckon Ontario had a tough choice there i'd say.We have all given young nieces and nephew's a ride across a patch of grass, and seen the wonder and excitement in their face's,knowing that they will never forget it, and felt really good about planting that seed that will probably influence the kind of life that they may have. But i also think that taking someone so young that they cant reach the footrest, on a ride out for more than a mile or so, is not something that i would do.Legislation should not be necessary,i do'nt like being told what i can and cant do, and i am quite capable of governing myself without interference, but some people just have to be governed with law's, and unfortunately i get affected by them too.

[Sin City Stan]

In Nevada there is no age limit. If your feet reach the pegs/floorboards it's legal. It's pretty simple to enforce.

[ponch]

They have to be able to reach the pegs, be able to consciously hold on and understand the seriousness of riding on the back of a bike. Usually around 10 years old, older if they are dense.