Are they sitting comfortably...and safely?
Should motorcycling parents take their kids for a ride?
John Newman
It's a vexed question for any motorcycling parent when the almost inevitable 'can I have a ride' request comes from one of the kids.
There are a good number of motorcycling parents who encourage their offspring to ride bikes off road. After all most of the top competitors in motorcycling began to hone their skills and conquer fear from a very early age. But there's a balance to be struck between being too risk averse and concern for safety as far as kids on bikes and the road is concerned.
The law says that to carry a person on the pillion seat they must be able to set their feet firmly on the footrests. Which either rules out, or provides a good excuse, for not initiating very young ones into pillion riding.
Now though Givi, the well known Italian luggage manufacturer, have come up with a child seat that straps onto a motorcycle pillion in much the same way a child's seat is mounted in a car. It's called the 'S650 Baby Ride', is designed for youngsters in the 6-8 age range, comes with stirrup type straps for them place feet in, and will cost around £150
S650 Baby Ride
Would you use one to give one of your children the thrill and experience of riding on a motorcycle or scooter? It largely depends on where you live and ride. A spin round rural B roads might appeal, but jousting with heavy traffic in an urban situation or on a trunk road might push the risk factor too far.
What do you think about this idea - would you take your littleun on the pillion? Let us know your thoughts at
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