Motorcycle rides with kids can be done safely if you do your research and plan properly. Riding with kids can sound scary, but if your children are old enough, this question will come up.
It’s essential to think of a child’s safety before they are on the motorbike. You want to avoid large helmets on the child’s head, which would just bounce around it. It’s important to think about how and where the child will hold onto. The worst scenario is to ride with one hand and hold a child with another because you can easily lose control of the bike and the child, as well.
It’s important to be fully ready before you get on the road with your child. So, here are 4 tips 4 riding motorcycles with child passengers.
Choosing The Right Kid’s Helmets
Kids can reach footpegs around the ages of five or six. Before that, it’s not safe to ride with kids. First, check your motorcycle. You want to make sure that everything is working properly, such as brakes, controls, etc. Whether you’re into italian motorcycles or standard ones, always inspect them before riding, especially with children involved.
Then, you should start looking for a full-coverage helmet with real expanded polystyrene (or hard foam) in the chin bar and the rest of the shell. The helmet should fit tightly to the kid’s head without moving around. If the helmet doesn’t have a face shield, you should consider buying some goggles.
The most important aspect of the kid’s helmet is not to come off during a crash. Always check that the helmet is fastened snugly. Some kids may not find this the most comfortable; however, don’t let them loose the chin strap. A full-face helmet with a chin bar and a face shield is the best option for full protection.
Leather Jacket for Kids
A good jacket for your kid should be comfortable while riding and provide protection in case of falling. You can either choose a tough jacket made of denim or leather. You can pass down your old jackets if they can fit your kids.
Also, you can find armored jackets, pants, and gloves made for kids in motorcycle apparel stores. The real riding jackets have thick leather, heavy stitching, zipped cuffs, and zippers. However, a good helmet and motorcycle gloves should be a priority. A good and heavy denim jacket can be a safe substitute for a leather jacket.
Other Apparel
Besides a helmet and a jacket, gloves are an essential part. A lot of companies make child-size gloves in XXS sizes. Even if gloves are a bit large on your kid’s hands, the strap can keep them on tightly. Road gloves have better abrasion-resistant material, but you can also find off-road gloves that are made with the same material.
Whether some people may be against or for motorcycles, especially regarding children, it’s up to you to provide all needed security and safety if you decide to ride with them.
Also, your child should wear heavyweight jeans or leavy, long pants. Shoes should rise above the ankle and preferably without shoelaces. A shoelace can get stuck in a chain and cause a problem. Shoes should fit well so they don’t come off in the event of a crash.
Where Should the Child Sit on The Motorcycle?
The safest way is to place your child behind you. However, children can fall asleep during longer rides, it can be difficult for them to hold onto you, or they can easily fall during a quick maneuver.
The solution for younger kids is to use the Child’s Riding Belt. It’s a harness around the child’s waist, shoulders, and in between legs. The buckle is on the back, so kids can’t release it. A large belt is attached to the rider’s waist.
If your kid is ten and older, you can use the belt for the rider with handholds for the passenger. This is not a safe option for younger kids because they can forget to hold onto it all the time.
With these four tips, you and your child should have a pleasant motorcycle ride.
