Should I Let My Girls (6 & 10) Ride with My Husband on His Motorcycle?

Obviously it's up to you and your husband. But if it were me, I would cry and scream and beg and crawl to make sure no one in my family got on a motorcycle, helmet or no helmet. The motorcycle may be the safest one around, he may be the best, most alert driver, etc etc, but when that drunk going 70 mph hits them, they'll all be dog meat. Believe me, this is the voice of experience speaking.

My husband has motorcycles and once I was pregnant with the first, I've never ridden with him since, even 15 years later.

Our rule for the kids riding with Daddy was they had to be big enough to ride safely ("legally") in the front seat of a car and trustworthy to understand the danger of 65 mph. That meant 5 feet tall and 100 pounds and our discretion of being old enough to handle it. My son hit that mark at around 9.5 years old, roughly early 4th grade. My daughter is 11 at the end of fifth grade and no where close to hitting it in size, although she's been mentally ready for quite a while, so I did relent and let Daddy take her once down the street so she could feel the excitement of it. Of course a proper sized helmet and full clothing ensemble: close toed shoes, long pants, long sleeves, etc are required. Make sure the helmet fits the kids, they usually need an XS or S!!

Oh K.,

I hate motorcycles....but YOU don't and neither does your husband. You both have extensive experience and know about ALL the safety precautions and rules. As long as both of you see to it that your children are properly protected, I think you should let them ride.

Prayers and Blessings.....

Would you feel guilty if God forbid there was an accident? Or would you be able to accept that as just an accident that sadly happened?

That will tell you what to do.

Good Luck!

I LOVE to ride and I am completely comfortable letting my kids ride with people I know are responsible.

I don't think they're any more dangerous now than they were then. Actually probably safer with all the laws that are in effect now that weren't when we were kids. Helmets being required by law ... didn't happen. Although my parents made me wear one anyway.

Ignore what your friends have to say. They are clearly idiots. Your husband isn't going to do anything dangerous with his girls on the back of that bike. And I'm sure he'll be more aware and defensive than if he was riding by himself.

Edited to add: I love all the "horror" stories about motorcycle accidents where they knew someone or knew someone who knew someone who got killed on one. Never known anyone who got killed in a car accident? How about crossing the street? or riding a bicycle? or riding a bus? or GOING TO SCHOOL? Yet we don't consider forbiding those with the proper safety precautions.

Yes motorcycles can be dangerous. But so can breathing.

You can't prevent them for getting on a motorcycle forever so why not now? Especially if Dad is a good driver and they stand to learn how to ride responsibly.

I agree with the responses that say let them ride. If you trust your husband to be safe and you trust your kids to be hold on and pay attention to dad, then go for it. We ride too so I dont see anything wrong with it. The freeway thing does scare me a bit. Only because alot of idiots out there dont even pay attention to us on bikes. I say be cautious and have fun.

By all means let them ride! Good memories for them and their Daddy. Putting them in the car is no more dangerous than on the bike with their helmet and their dad as the driver. I'm sure Dad will be a careful driver knowing he's carrying a fragile gift on his bike. The naysayers just don't know what it feels like to hold their dad tight and feel the wind. I used to ride on the back of my grandpa's bike when I was a little girl. I loved it. Go for it without guilt.

I'm on the fence about the motorcycle thing, mainly because I have no personal experience riding motorcycles.

It sounds as though you are comfortable with it, but you are facing the judgment of your friends. I grew up in Mexico where people ran under and jumped over fireworks (and I never saw anyone get harmed), but people in the U.S. called me names and swore at me one year when I let my children jump over firecrackers. It's hard to be different. Good luck.

Being that both you and your husband have extensive motorcycle experience, you're well ahead of the typical midlife crisis person who buys one and thinks he's an expert 10 miles later. You're kids will be safer.

I believe the law states that passengers must sit in back and be able to put their arms around the driver. (correct me if I'm wrong) As long as the legal criteria is met, everything should be fine.

I do think it's something that you and your husband should really have a serious talk about. If you really aren't wanting to allow it, you do have to be careful about how you approach it and you wouldn't want him to be resentful, but instead to really understand your fears.

I grew up in a family of motorcycles, both my uncles have harleys and both are still in bike 'clubs' even in their 50's. My brother got his motorcycle a few years ago when he was 25, and is a super responsible driver.

Would I let my kids ride at that age? Absolutely not. I just think they are too young and it's just too dangerous. They can bond and get their thrills met with other activities.

Of course you can't always protect them, but the roads are so much more congested these days, we have people talking on cell phones and texting while driving and we are a 'rush' society like never before. If you feel you can compromise, an occassional ride NOT on a city street would be my choice.

When they are older they can take those risks for themselves, in the meantime it's your responsibility.

this is only a decision you can make. you will have to weigh carefully many factors.

my two cents:

some of my best, most wonderful vivid memories as a child are of exhilarating motorcycle rides-a step dad had one, and a friend of the family. i absolutely loved it. i am so glad i got to have those experiences.

good luck!

I think it is so risky to let anyone you love ride motorcycles. Even though your husband has lots of experience its the other driver that puts you at risk. I am a vigilant car driver and watch for bicycles and motorcycles all the time, but I just cut a motorcycle off the other day because I just didn't see them (the first time as far as I can remember). Not many car drivers are as careful. People are so stressed these day and are racing from one thing to the next. Plus people are still using cell phones, drinking coffee, etc. while driving. A 200 lb motorcycle doesn't have much of a chance against a 4000 lb car. Can you find a motorcycle "park" where they don't have to contend with cars so they can have their motorcycle experience without having to deal with cars?

I feel compelled to add my two cents. I think the child should be old enough to hold on tight and understand that they should lean with with driver not against and throw the balance off. Lastly, please make sure they are wearing a full helmet - not a half helmet that is so common with Harley riders. My ex-boyfriend used to call those brain bucket helmet. By the way, I just asked my husband, a former motorcycle rider, if he would take our girls (ages 7 & 10) if he would ride with them (if he still had his bike) and he said he wouldn't. His quote, "Too many things can go wrong and the child passenger wouldn't know how to react."

My kids are 5 & 7 and been riding with their Dad for at least 2 years, they do not go on the street they stay on dirt though I rode with my dad when I was little on the road and my dad taught me to ride myself at a young age. Do what you feel comfortable with, if you trust your husband and think your kids can listen to the rules for riding then do it, if you do not feel comfortable then wait. Good Luck!

My first thought is what are you comfortable with? Not what do other people think. If he is super esponsible then why not but if your not super comfortable with it maybe you could compromise and let him cruise around town close by with the kids but limit fast driving to times when he is solo... And make him feel like part of the decision

I agree with what the other moms have said. I really tried to put myself in your shoes. I say givin all things taken into consideration let them enjoy this with their dad. How special and fun. But be prepared... The day may come and a young man on a bike will capture their heart and ride off into the sunset with your little girl.

Hi K., I'm the oldest of 3 girls. My dad also had a motorcycle from the time we were little , the same ages of your daughters. My dad use to give me a ride to school on his motorcycle, everyone thought I was very cool. I think you should let him give them rides. Pretty soon their going to be worried about their hair, and they won't be wanting to wear the helmet.When they get older, they will have some nice memories of alone time with dad. Good Luck-D.

Ok so no one else brought this up so thought I would. Is this legal? I thought kids had to be at least 12 to ride on the back of a motorcycle. Not sure how steep the ticket would be on this type of violation. Now if I am completely wrong on the age thing then I would just take in consideration how safe a driver your husband is, I'm thinking he is safe and would not take any kind of risky chance with his children and you also have to take in consideration other drivers, they cannot always see a motorcycle or they are just crazy drivers. I cannot see the forbiding thing going to well, because can you imagine if he forbade you to do something you thought was ok with them. I would check out the age requirments and then go from there. Good luck!

I am guessing your husband is a safe rider, and these are probably already the rules. Insist that the girls dress properly--real shoes (not sandals!) & socks, long pants, long sleeves, HELMET, and let 'em ride! They'll remember the special times with Dad all their lives, and motorcycle riding has NOT become more risky over the years--as long as the motorcycle driver is a safe driver. And you cannot and should not keep your kids from taking some risks--they need to learn to take risks with safety precautions, and this is a great way to teach that.
I know I loved riding with my Dad as a kid.
Your husband loves your girls just as much as you do. He will be careful with them on the bike.

I would let them bond on the occasional Sunday ride and make getting a ride on the motorcycle a treat. A 6 and 10 year old do not need to be ridden around on a bike for regular transportation, why risk it? Let it be an occasional fun thing, not an everyday thing. Good luck

If you feel safe riding with your husband and your children have the right equipment, I say okay. If it were me, I would allow my husband to take our children on the motorcycle, but I would ask that he not travel on the interstate or freeways. Also, I would want to be sure the younger child was capable of holding on to daddy and leaning with the bike at turns.

Hi K.,
My first thought after reading your post is why would you "forbid" your husband? I am assuming that you have been married to him for quite awhile. You and your husband are a team in marriage and in parenthood. Sit down together, when you can't be interrupted and talk this out. Share with him your concerns about the girls safety and how it would impact you if anything every happened. He may not be able to completely eliminate your fears, but at least he will be aware of them and feel respected that you talked to him. He is their dad and partner in decisions. Perhaps you can agree on appropriate destinations and safety gear. You need to respect his involvement and decisions as their Dad. Good luck.