How To Ride Motorcycles With Children Safely

The roaring wind and beckoning horizon don’t just call out to adults—kids can love the promise of the open road just as much! If you own a motorcycle and have children in your life, chances are they’ll ask to come along at one point or another. The good news is, that’s absolutely an option! With the proper precautions, motorcycle rides can be a family activity. 

We here at Roseville Motorsports have put together a few tips for staying safe during this process. If you have more questions or you’re looking for a new bike, contact our store in Roseville, California. Our friendly staff will help you find whatever you’re looking for!

Risks And Rewards

This activity can be controversial, given the potential dangers if you’re not careful. Riding your motorcycle in general is always a risk. But sharing that experience with your kids can help you teach them about safety and responsibility. Parents, guardians, and other role models who demonstrate safe riding practices can help get your kids started the right way. 

This will also show that you trust them, boosting their self-confidence and helping to empower them. Not to mention the fun and powerful bonding activity that a shared motorcycle ride can represent!

Your Kid And You

As good a learning experience as this can be, make sure your kid is actually ready for a motorcycle ride. It’s a responsibility and a safety hazard, so they need to be tall enough to reach footpegs from the passenger seat and strong enough to hold on tight. They must be mature enough to follow rules and take things seriously. A sidecar is a great start for younger kids.

If the child is frightened, don’t pressure them into the ride—but too much confidence is also dangerous. Kids aren’t great at risk assessment, so make sure your passenger has a respectful attitude and is ready to listen. 

As for you, you need to be sure you’re ready for the responsibility of operating a bike with a child abroad. New riders should get plenty of practice before taking on any passengers, let alone children. Make sure you’re confident in your own abilities and skill before moving forward with this adventure.

Know Your Local Laws

Take some time to familiarize yourself with any and all relevant local laws before you take your child for a ride. Here in Cali, there aren’t any age restrictions for motorcycle passengers, but your motorcycle does need to be equipped with footpegs when traveling with a child on board, and their feet must be able to reach those pegs. The child must be sitting in a secured seat behind the driver and, obviously, they absolutely must be wearing a helmet.

Kid-Friendly Riding Gear

Young passengers aren’t going to fit in your old riding jacket, but they still need the same protective gear you rely on. Finding good quality riding gear in child sizes can be understandably difficult, but safety is vital. The most important piece of gear is a full-coverage helmet that fits them well. They should also wear leather or heavyweight denim that covers their arms and legs fully. Ideally, you should also find them a pair of decent riding gloves and some riding boots that cover their ankles.

The passenger seat is next. If your bike doesn’t have one already, there are plenty of aftermarket upgrades available to provide secure seating, often paired with a safety harness. You can also find adjustable footpegs for your bike to make sure they fit your kid. You might need to experiment with different products before you find one that works for you and yours, so steel yourself for a bit of trial and error. 

Ride Responsibly

Before you head out, make sure your kid is very familiar with motorcycle safety, and make sure to explain it in terms they’ll understand. Tell them to remain calm and still and to hold on to you tightly at all times. They should also make sure to keep their feet on the footpegs and should keep their legs away from the muffler. 

Start your child out gently. For their first ride, maybe try a short trip down the block or around an empty parking lot. Check in with them frequently to see how they’re doing, and slowly work your way up to higher speeds and greater distances. 

As always, you need to follow all the best practices for a safe motorcycle ride—it’s not just your life that’s involved anymore. Save any and all daredevil moves for when you’re flying solo. Their first ride might seem tame and boring to you, but it’ll be more than thrilling enough for them.

Hopefully you’re feeling confident about taking your kid for their first motorcycle ride! If you want more advice, or you’re looking for the right bike to try this with, contact us at Roseville Motorsports. We proudly serve the people of Roseville and Sacramento, California—let us serve you today!