Child on Motorcycle

I see absolutely no issue with the kid on the motorcycle or the father taking his hand off the handle bar and helping with the backpack. What I have an issue with is the fact that the kid didn't have a helmet on. I hate seeing parents who don't put helmets on their kids.

I take my kids out on my motorcycle (and hubby takes them out on his) regularly. We always have helmets on them though. If it's cold, then they wear their leathers. (Yes, my kids each have their own motorcycle jackets, jeans, gloves and helmets.)

Helmet or no helmet, there's no way I'd ever do it. That helmet is not going to protect the child very much. They could be dead or paraplegic in a heartbeat.

I don't follow motorcycle laws mind you but there is no law in our state pertaining to passengers on a motorcycle beyond our helmet law. Next door in Illinois there is no helmet law so if the laws in your state are the same as Illinois no laws were broken. If the dad didn't have a helmet then you have the same laws as Illinois.

Just because you don't agree with it doesn't make it wrong or against the law.

I don't see younger kids on motorcycles around here much but it does happen. Most of these kids have been raised around them, they know to hang on.

Your story made me laugh about taking his hand off the handle bar to grab his backpack. I used to go fast enough on my bicycle to be able to go down the street standing balanced on the bike seat. My mom pretty much reacted like you did. That look on her face was priceless. :)

Minnesota's motorcycle manual lists these three things (among a handful of others)

Riders under 18 must wear protective headgear.

Riders must be able to touch the foot pegs on both sides of the motorcycle.

Drivers may not carry packages or other articles that interfere with keeping both hands on the handlebars.

There is no age limit for passengers.

***** I read your SWH and you said the dad was riding a Sport Bike. I have to say, my opinion differs for Motorcycles and Sport Bike.

I've been a passenger on a sport bike and a passenger on a motorcycle. I would definitely not have a problem with a child on a motorcycle.

A child on a Sport Bike is a whole different story. You sit in an entirely different manner on a Sport Bike - It always scared me, being up so much higher than the driver, because even a Sport Bike with a double seat is really only made to be ridden solo.

http://www.coloradodot.info/programs/live-to-ride/motorcy...

you would have died of a heartattack had you gone to India then. It was one of the only ways to get around. I had to hold 2 of my youngest on the back of a bike that my husband drove through normal traffic that resembled NY rush hour at 3pm. No helmets. NO nuttin. One was 11 months old the other almost two. She sat between us and we tied her to her dad with a belt. I held on to my other daughter with one arm and my husband with the other. it was that or take the local bus in 110 degree heat and humidity with it so packed that you can only stand. Well needless to say we lived. Not that I would do that here. Speeds are far to fast, and rules too strict. I would say that had a cop seen this situation they would have for sure stopped them, even in Colorado.

Seems impossible that there aren't laws about this (kids have to wear a helmet for bicycles don't they?! And how fast do those go --and they aren't in traffic!)

I would definitely follow up -- get his license plate next time, call the school and see if they have any info or can help.

A poster suggests that this father may have been called unexpectedly -- but if you're a dad, than picking up your child shouldn't be something you are ever unprepared for.

thats truly horrifying-i wouldve called 911 in a heart beat-you see it again-do the child a favor and save his life.i would

Like JO W. said you need to find out the helmut laws in your area. Not all states require a helmut for usage. Most states don't have an age limit. The police may not have been able to do anything anyway.

Ok so I got curious in the middle of writing this...MN laws does require a helmut but says nothing about age resistrictions for passengers, or carseat laws.

You could have called 911, but do you really think they would get any where near there in time to actually see the violation?

I love motorcylces, I want one of my own, but I will follow the laws.

Playing devils advocate here...what if dad got a call from mom, "you have to pick Jimmy up from school, and can't make it"...dad has to make a decision to be late (which in some areas can get you into more trouble than a no helmut fine) or pick up the child and take a chance that nothing happens for the several blocks home.

Not saying dad made the correct decision but you don't know the circumstances.

Personally, I think anyone who rides not in full racing gear -with metal plates- is nuts... but that's because I've spread eagled a time or two, and I've worked in the ER. As a kid, though, I rode tucked in front all the time. No helmet. No laws about them then, either. Pillion as a kid NEVER with a helmet until I was grown... the helmet meant my arms couldn't go around their body securely.

I would have thought them nuts for not having the kid and themselves suited up... but most people don't... and it's usually not against the law. Depends on the state you're in.

I don't understand...we have laws about carseats, but a kid can ride on the back of a motorcycle, without a helmet no less, and that's ok? Huh?

My husband rides a motorcycle, and I've never let him take the kids on a ride (other than around the yard at a very slow speed) because of the risk of them sliding off or having an accident with the child on the bike. While motorcycles are nothing to freak out about, they do still require caution and common sense. I don't think it's common sense to have a child on one without a helmet, but the dad taking his hand off the handle bar to push the backpack back on isn't a big deal (Have you ever taken a hand off the wheel when driving?).

In my opinion, if you feel compelled to do something, call the school and notify them of the law regarding children without helmets on motorcycles and that there is a dad who is violating it. Our schools have always had teachers present at the pick up line, and they can always say something about it to him. This takes the pressure off you. Honestly, the school should be enforcing the safety of the students. I can't imagine a teacher allowing a child to leave in other circumstances that are dangerous or illegal; this shouldn't be any different. Otherwise, you can always get a license plate number and call the non-emergency police number to report this. Chances are, you're talking about a dad who just wasn't thinking, but carelessness sometimes needs a wake up call to prevent a tragic accident.

What??? Without a helmet? Yes, immature, illegal and irresponsible!!! Cal the cops next time. Not safe and all it takes is one slip and that little boy would be off of the bike and severely injured or killed. Please get the license number and call to report and the school as well. GL

M

A friend of mine posted a picture recently of a young child on the back of a motorcycle in our city too! We couldn't believe it. The child was wearing a helmet, but doesn't that violate carseat laws? Aren't most 6 year olds still in a booster seat at least? I hope he made it home safely!! I would have called 911. Some stuff you just gotta tattle on!! :-)
A.

I would so call 911. When I was 6, my best friend was killed while riding on the back of his dads harley...he didnt have on a helmet and was killed instantly when his dad hit the car in front of them.

I'd be freaking out too. I'm not familiar with motorcycle laws, but I'm guessing if kids that age are required by law to still be in a car/booster seat, riding on the back of a motorcycle without a helmet has to be breaking some rules. My friend who works in child advocacy in MN says they were told that if you see a small child in a car without a car seat, to call 911. I guess I would call the police non-emergency # if I knew it and 911 if not. The least they can tell you is to bug off if there are no laws being broken.

I would have called and asked the non emergency police number. You might have been saving that child's life.

I think under 18 they have to wear a helmet, no choice. But your laws may be different.

gz thats scarey! my husband rides and my son wasnt allowed on till he was 11 yrs old and with a full face helmet and jeans. people are crazy the way they ride. flip flops..shorts..no helmets! nuts i say! id call 911 surely there must be something that can be done.

I rode on motorcycles all the time as a kid. My dad always had us wear a helmet though. I don't know, I don't think it's that shocking. But thats probably because thats how I grew up.
Check the helmet laws in your state. If there is a law then you can alert the authorites...same as if you see a car with a kid not in a carseat or without seatbelts.

I personally would not have my child on a motorcycly helmet or no helment.

If the child was picked up in a carpool line, the teachers would have noticed and flagged him if he were breaking a law. As a substitute teacher, we do have a couple of dad who pick up their children on a motorcycle, but they do wear helmets.

However, calling 911 would been over the top because what other parents do within the law is their business, no matter if we think it is crazy or not.

911 could not do anything if dad was not breaking a law and your 911 call could have taken an officer away from some other true emergency. If you feel you HAVE to do something, call the non emergency line but still.... they can't do anything if dad is not breaking the law, even as crazy as it is.

It is your business. He made it yours the minute he put his child's life in danger in front of you.

In CO it's illegal for a rider under 17 to ride without a helmet. There is no age limit for riding as a passenger on a motorcycle.

I'm curious what would have been done if you had called 911. I'm thinking maybe nothing. We can't/don't legislate or enforce every risk away.

I wouldn't choose to put my child on the back of a motorcycle at that age, but that's my choice. My brothers owned their own motorcycles when they were 11 and 12...

Here is a site that lists helmet laws by state for both motorcycle and bicycle riders: http://www.iihs.org/laws/helmetusecurrent.aspx

Several states have no laws at all about bicycle helmet wearing.

Call 911 to save his life next time, please.