Riding a motorcycle is a tricky affair in itself, especially on bumpy roads, crowded streets, and in harsh weather conditions. However, if you have kids who are pleading with you constantly to give them a ride-along, the affair can get trickier.
But if you are unable to resist their pleas, the good news is that we have got you covered on the safety tips for riding a motorcycle with your kids on them as passengers.
All motorcycle passengers should be aware of the rules for carrying a child passenger on a motorcycle. Motor vehicles have different rules for child passenger. Learning the rules helps to prevent motorcycle accident that can affect the rider and the motorcycle passenger. The passenger seat of a motorcycle is on the back of a motorcycle behind the motorcycle riders. This position is prone to cause spinal cord injuries. Motorcycle passengers should be aware of proper riding tips to prevent such injuries. A motorcycle helmet is essential to legally ride a motorcycle as a rider or a passenger. Riders can install additional passenger footrests for child motorcycle passengers. Glance through the California motorcycle handbook to update the rules regulation for a motorcycle accident claim in extreme cases. For a safe child passenger ride, the motorcycle operator should ensure that the child can reach motorcycle passenger footrests. A personal injury lawsuit enforces the safety measures for motorcycle accidents.
Riding a motorcycle with children is pretty safe as long as keep all the safety protocols in mind and take adequate protection beforehand. Here are a few tips for riding a motorcycle safely with kids –
5 Tips for Riding Motorcycle with Kids
- Choose the Right Helmet for Your Kid
- Choose the Right Clothing for Your Kid
- Position Your Kid Properly
- Teach Basic Safety Skills to Your Kid
- Ride Responsibly
Choose the Right Helmet for Your Kid
The first and foremost thing that you should consider is the child’s helmet. This is a crucial aspect that needs to be taken care of thoroughly if you want to ensure your kid’s safety.
Make sure that the helmet fits well on their head, as not only it should provide them with enough protection but also, it should feel comfortable even after prolonged usage.
It should come down all the way around their cheeks and chin area, so as to protect the neck from injuries as well as safeguard their face from wind blast.
If you can get a helmet that comes with a face shield, that will be great for your kid as it will protect their face from dust or any other elements that could come flying in. If you are unable to find a child-sized helmet with a face shield, always give a pair of goggles to your child to protect their young eyes.
Choose the Right Clothing for Your Kid
The clothes that your child wears while riding a motorcycle with you is also important. The best-case scenario is that you’re able to buy them a full set of riding gear including a motorcycle jacket, pants, boots, and gloves. But this isn’t always achievable.
Ensure that they are wearing clothes that are comfortable and won’t restrict their movement in any way. Also, make sure that they are wearing bright colors so that they can be easily visible to other drivers on the road.
Always remember that a child requires the same safety gear as that of an adult. Getting motorcycle protection gear in your child’s size can be a bit difficult but do not go skimp on your child’s safety.
Make sure their arms and legs are fully covered in denim and if possible, give them a pair of gloves as well. Do not forget to give them proper boots as they will shield their ankles in case of an unfortunate accident.
Position Your Kid Properly
Whenever you are taking your kid for a ride on your motorcycle, it is important to position them properly. Place them in front of you and make sure that their hands are securely held by you at all times.
This will help keep them safe as they will not be able to move around too much and will also avoid any injuries in case of an accident.
If they are positioned at the back, it is important to use a good child carrier. Make sure that the child carrier you are using is sturdy and has a good harness system in place so that your child is held securely in place.
You can also use passenger belts that come with handholds to keep your child attached to your body securely at all times. In terms of additional safety, these belts are highly useful esp[ecially for young children who find it difficult to hold on to the rider.
Teach Basic Safety Skills to Your Kid
Even if your child is not old enough to ride a motorcycle themselves, it is important to teach them some basic safety skills.
This will help keep them safe while traveling on a motorcycle with you. Teach them how to hold onto you tightly and what to do if they need to let go in an emergency situation.
Make sure they know not to move around too much and stay seated at all times. Teach them how to lean forward during braking or how to stay a little more cautious during turning.
Kids are usually very fickle and therefore, you need to be very patient with them when teaching them these basic safety skills. There is no point if they forget the basics after you tell them everything.
It takes time for them to absorb all this information so keep reminding them of these lessons when you are out riding with your child.
Ride Responsibly
Last but not the least, always ride responsibly when taking your child along. Do not take any risks and always abide by the traffic rules.
Make sure that you are driving at a speed that is safe for both you and your child. Keep an eye out for other vehicles on the road and do not attempt any stunts or dangerous maneuvers while riding with your kid.
Remember that motorcycling with children can be a fun and enjoyable experience as long as you take all the necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
Conclusion
So, now you know the safety tips for riding a motorcycle with kids as passengers.
Always ensure that your child is properly dressed and wearing the right equipment for the rides, no matter how short the distance is. Patiently teach them how to ride carefully on a motorcycle with you and always abide by the traffic rules.
Ride responsibly and enjoy spending some time with your kid while riding on a motorcycle!
Have a safe and enjoyable ride!
