Youngest Pillion Passenger

[Julian64]

Anyone know what the law is regarding the minimum age for riding on the back of a motocycle. My five year old can touch the pillion pedals easily on my R1, and I'm running out of excuses.

[scruffy]

government bollox.. said:

There is no minimum age for a child to ride as a pillion passenger on a motor cycle. The decision remains with the rider, who is legally responsible for ensuring that the child is safely supported. Existing legislation places a number of controls on the carrying of pillion passengers. These legislative requirements, by their nature, restrict the carrying of children as pillion passengers unless that can be undertaken safely.

more bollox here

[cazzo]

I understand that as long as pillion can reach the footpegs and sits astride the m/c then it is OK.

I saw a TV programme recently where this question was asked to a Traf-Plod and he confirmed this, adding that the law does not actually state that pillion must sit facing forwards just astride. although I think it may be best to face forwards.

Most sportsbikes pegs are so high that a 3 yr old can probably reach them.

Start'em young

[Julian64]

Thanks both, but that government 'bollocks' is incredibly vague. If I pass a BIB on the motorway with a five year old hanging on to me I wonder what the chances of him accepting that as okay?
I think I would almost automatically be stopped. And I would get some stuff about inadequate safety etc etc. It seems to put a lot at the discretion of the office stopping you, which we all know from reading this forum varies a LOT. The question is what could they actually do about it.

[scruffy]

for what it's worth, i got stopped on my trumf years ago, guy on cop bike asked loads of questions about the bike, cause he wanted to buy one...

thought he hadn't noticed the sprog in the baby carrier untill he said - i've got one that age too, hope he sleeps more than mine!!

though you're right about the vagueness surrounding the rules...

[nightmare]

on a personal note...considering the attention span of even the most dedicated five yo....I really wouldnt want one on my bike when I was riding it..... (no offence inteanded Julian)

[Julian64]

True, but this five year old beats me round the garden on 100cc 40mph quad bikes. So I think if he can hold on there he should have any problem when I wheelie the R1.

[jessica]

All our boys aged 12 to 6 go on dad'd BMW 650.

But little one only been around the block.(mum wouldn't let him go far)(he too Ickle)!!!)

[Julian64]

And don't they just look the cuties when they do it? When he looks up at me through his big blue eyes and says dad pleeeeezzzzzz! Resolve turns to jelly

[Marcos maniac]

Julian64 said:

And don't they just look the cuties when they do it? When he looks up at me through his big blue eyes and says dad pleeeeezzzzzz! Resolve turns to jelly

I know that situation well - got a three year old boy (3 next month) that loves to ride on a Jet ski and shouts faster dad, faster.

Haven't considered taking on a motorbike yet - maybe in a year or so