Children riding motorcycles?

Question

If you and your spouse were divorced and he got the child every other weekend, and he lived an hour away, and he wanted to start picking the child up on a motorcycle what would you think? The "child" is 11, and he'd be riding an hour to the Dad's house on Friday and an hour back on Sunday (and most likely riding around on it all weekend too. Would you allow it? And if you wouldn't allow it what lengths would you go to in order to keep it from happening (like, going back to court) The Dad does have a vehicle, but he wants to get a motorcycle too because of gas mileage.

Answer 1

i think its perfectly fine for the child to ride on it as long as he has a proper helmet and knows he has to hold on and that the dad goes a respectable speed !~! as for the ex wife you guys could let her know and ask her thought about it but come on hes 11 he knows to hold on !~!

Answer 2

I think it is fine. Just make sure that the child has a good helmet and that he knows how to hold on and where the foot pegs are.

Just make sure both are wearing a helmet.

Answer 3

i myself would freak out for it to occur that often. HOWEVER realistically, it is perfectly legal. make sure he has a helmet, and a back support (so he won't fall off the back) even if you have to purchase it yourself. your ex can remove it when he isn't around. the problem is because it is legal, if you did try to take it to court, you would probably spend alot of money and get absolutely nowhere. talk to your son too, and let him know that you would like to be informed if his dad does anything reckless on it. (showing off, if he sees him with a beer and then trying to get him on it, etc.) tell him to call you at anytime if he sees this, and you will figure something out. but say it in a way that he won't think his dad will be in trouble. like " i wouldn't want you or YOUR DAD to get hurt" so tell mom if you are ever scared at all. good luck!

Answer 4

I grew up on motorcycles so I am inclined to say yes. However, if he's never ridden before, or not in awhile, I would request he take a motorcycle safety course first and that he keeps the riding to a minimum with the child for a few months.

This way he's got a chance to get comfortable and both of you can see whether it's really safe or not.

Answer 5

At 11, I wouldn't be making it a big deal. As long as he is responsible and experienced riding the bike and the kid has a helmet... all those things. Now if the kid was 5 that would be a different story.

Answer 6

it would be worrisome to the other mom and i can totally understand it, but the kid is almost a teen. as long as said child had a helmet and heck even a leather jacket just to make her feel better about it.

Answer 7

As long as the Father is a safe driver and the child is properly dressed including a helmet I wouldn't mind. If it's going to be a big deal though - just pick him up in the car, God forbid he tell the mom "tough, I'm doing it anyway" then has an accident and the child gets hurt.

Answer 8

No problem with riding a bike at that age.Perfectly legal.

Answer 9

As long as the father is riding safely and not recklessly and the child is wearing the appropriate saftey gear then I don't see why this should be a problem. Accidents happen but it's also likely an accident could happen in a car too.

Answer 10

I would be a bit worried and my husband would have a fit. But he was in a bad motorcylce wreck and broke three limbs and his nose, he does not want our kids on one. And an hour is a long time. I would hope that either parent would respect the wishes of the other when it comes to safety and that is what she would be concerned over is from a safety stand point. And you can get a small car (used) that is better on gas probably for close to what you would pay for a motorcycle I would think, they are not cheap either (to purchase that is).

My cousin has 1.5 hour drive (each way) between her daughter and the father. He picks her up and she comes and gets her so they both pay the cost. But she was the one who chose to move for work. It is in their parenting agreement. I would think it would depend on who moved as far as the court is concerned.