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When to let the kids ride.
Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 5:16 pm
by mcneese5
Hey all this is probably something that has been discussed before but for the sake of us new guys here to the forum, lets bring it up again. When did you let your kids start riding as passengers or have you even let them ride. Just wondering. Thanks
Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 6:43 pm
by Johnj
I used to take my daughter Chris to first grade on a chopped Triumph. That was 1984 or 85.
Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 6:58 pm
by ofblong
do a search and there are 2 extensive threads about this subject. My son currently rides with me and I started when he was 5 and he is now 6. I took him to Kindergarten and back last year. This year he rides the bus because I dont have the chain/sprockets replaced on the bike yet and I dont want to deal with that kind of possible "problems" by riding it with him on it and the chain being stretched out. If you read the other threads the basic consensus is if they cant touch the pegs they shouldnt ride. My son could just touch the pegs at 5 years old.
However, I have given all of my children (cept my daughter) a ride on the motorcycle and the youngest was 2 at the time. But it was a ride around the high school parking lot and NOT on the road. I never got out of first gear with him and my now 4 yr old. My daughter was only a few months old at the time so thats obvious why I didnt give her a ride lol.
(note one of the threads there was someone who was VERY adamant about stating that children that age dont understand the consequences that they shouldnt be on a bike at all. Yeah they may not understand but imo what is life if you dont try something because of the "consequences" that may come about because of it. What is life if you dont let your children try something that might be "dangerous"? How would they know if they dont like it if they dont try it? But thats how I feel about it)
Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 7:38 pm
by flynrider
For my nieces and nephews, their first ride comes when they can comfortably reach the passenger footpegs and they're old enough to follow basic instructions.
Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 11:42 pm
by Mean KaNean
I think as long as they can reach the pegs and do what you tell them they'll be fine. If they have a hard time doing what they're told it's best to keep them off the bike.
Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 12:59 am
by High_Side
5 years old

Both my now 6 year old and my 9 year old have been for rides on the street but only for short distances. The 6 year old is really too small yet for me to feel comfortable with any kind of distance on the road. Both of them though can clear the table-top jump in the back ground though:shock:
Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 3:58 pm
by ofblong
High_Side wrote:5 years old
Both my now 6 year old and my 9 year old have been for rides on the street but only for short distances. The 6 year old is really too small yet for me to feel comfortable with any kind of distance on the road. Both of them though can clear the table-top jump in the back ground though:shock:
and to think my at the time 3 yr old was unaffraid to run and jump on a bike that actually fit his size. he wanted me to buy it so he could ride it around but me living in the city that just doesnt make much sense.
Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 5:46 pm
by High_Side
ofblong wrote:High_Side wrote:5 years old
Both my now 6 year old and my 9 year old have been for rides on the street but only for short distances. The 6 year old is really too small yet for me to feel comfortable with any kind of distance on the road. Both of them though can clear the table-top jump in the back ground though:shock:
and to think my at the time 3 yr old was unaffraid to run and jump on a bike that actually fit his size. he wanted me to buy it so he could ride it around but me living in the city that just doesnt make much sense.
I live in the city too, but we have this nice track right near the middle of Calgary where the kids can ride for $10 ea. They REALLY like to ride out in the bush though so it's something the family does whe we go camping. It's worth the $$$ in the end.
Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 2:47 am
by ofblong
High_Side wrote:ofblong wrote:High_Side wrote:5 years old
Both my now 6 year old and my 9 year old have been for rides on the street but only for short distances. The 6 year old is really too small yet for me to feel comfortable with any kind of distance on the road. Both of them though can clear the table-top jump in the back ground though:shock:
and to think my at the time 3 yr old was unaffraid to run and jump on a bike that actually fit his size. he wanted me to buy it so he could ride it around but me living in the city that just doesnt make much sense.
I live in the city too, but we have this nice track right near the middle of Calgary where the kids can ride for $10 ea. They REALLY like to ride out in the bush though so it's something the family does whe we go camping. It's worth the $$$ in the end.
hmm we have a motocross track about 5 miles from my house. Maybe I should look into what its all about.
Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 2:59 am
by RideYourRide
High_Side wrote:5 years old

Both my now 6 year old and my 9 year old have been for rides on the street but only for short distances. The 6 year old is really too small yet for me to feel comfortable with any kind of distance on the road. Both of them though can clear the table-top jump in the back ground though:shock:
You get out and rip it up with the kids too?