Should yummy mummies ride?

[justsomeguy]

There's another argument that says people who ride on nice days only or are weekend riders are at a greater risk. Less practice and honing of skills.

I say ride on. If you understand how the universe works you know that each day is a (your) creation not a discovery. Take care riding. Wear the gear. Take refresher courses and KNOW that you are safe.

Yes you are right, if you read further you may notice I also stated "or simply commute with care" following it. For some people are commuters only and never ride outside urban zones.

It's true what you say, the only way to get better at anything is to do it repeatedly and learn as you proceed.

Still, bike riding is dangerous.

The whole subject as to ride or not isn't a simple black and white one, there are various personal and social variables to consider. I would never be able to ride like "that jerk JSG" if I had thought about all the far reaching consequences it could have. However pushing the boundaries constantly also made me a better rider able to reach a stage where I used to get away with a bit too much. Of course this is the real world and in the end it always catches up to you but its all seriously rapturous fun and games till then.

A decision like this ultimately has to be made by the individual taking into account their individual and unique circumstances. All the noises, gesticulations and bravado made by the faces in the crowd (to whom this means nothing in comparison in reality) are very faint beacons of guidance at their very best.

[justsomeguy]

Is the risk of Mum and Dad , riding at the same time but on different bikes, being simultaneously taken out, any greater than the risk of Mum and Dad, travelling in the same car, both being taken out ? The latter has happened.

One or other riding (ie only one at a time) , I'd think is overall better odds than the both in the same car scenario. Which is of course so common as to excite no comment.

Mum and Dad on the same bike is maybe trusting too much to the Biker Gods. They can be sadistic bastards at times.

Ya true, but what we are having here is a theoretical (and probably useless in the real-world) reasoning session. A person on a bike is more at risk than someone in a cage. The decision to ride should apply to dad and mum equally, with more consideration required from the parent who is the major income earner of the household.

[FJRider]

I've been thinking about us Mummies of kids under age 5 - whether we should be out there on bikes.

If you're a good/safe rider then I don't see much problem in it, accidents can happen whether you are in a car or whether you're on a bike.

Last time I looked, it was a free (but getting more expensive) country. And if only the good/safe riders/drivers were on the road,the world would be a safer place. GO FOR IT YUMMY MUMMYS.

[scumdog]

She asked me the same question this afternoon.

I'll bet you can guess what I replied eh?

She obviously didn't like what I said hence this thread. Heigh ho.

SO there's a cheeep 'zuki up for grabs eh?

[Keystone19]

Ride.

I can perhaps see the logic in not having mum and dad on the same bike at the same time but I'd probably still do it if my husband would ever get on the back.

My logic: if you love it and it offers you a sense of fulfilment and enjoyment then that in itself is going to make you a better parent to your children anyway. If something goes wrong then I figure my kids will know that I was doing something I love.

Edit: I am a firm believer that having children is no reason why we should ever change what we do or who we are.

[cowboy]

Should Yummy Mummy's ride?

OH HELL YES!!

You go girl!

What he sed

[justsomeguy]

Yeh, nothing wrong wif it, just gotta take a little more care, and that means new dads too, not just mums...you have a responsibility now...

Just wanted to reiterate again what a perfect one line summary I think this is.

[Chanak]

My logic: if you love it and it offers you a sense of fulfilment and enjoyment then that in itself is going to make you a better parent to your children anyway. If something goes wrong then I figure my kids will know that I was doing something I love.

Tha's pretty much what I was going to say.

The choice is personal, really, but from my perspective, if it is something you love (which I'm pretty sure it is), keep doing it.

Riding is not irresponsible, riding irresponsibly is. In my opinion, keep riding... responsibly.

[Chickadee]

Thanks for the different perspectives, helps to clarify the issue for sure!

I'm not a fan of couples pillioning, nothing personal against those that do it, but I think it's just too much of a risk. Plus I'm a control freak! I'm happier on my own steed.

Still two bikes could be taken out by a car/truck etc as Ixion pointed out. So nothings risk free.

When I started my biking life I though best to start now as it takes a while to get through the stages, but now I've got my full and I'm a bit wiser in how to ride a bike and the risks, I'm taking stock of having a young family and wondering if you're being selfish and thinking about the what if's. I ride much slower and more conservatively than I did when I first started riding, I'm thinking more about the what if's these days.

[cruza]

May sound like a shit, but my partner is banned from being a pillion on my bike till the kids get older. Not taking chances,

[gijoe1313]

Well yep, its a personal decision made by the parties involved, I know you had long moments of introspective reflection when you had your offs and wondered if biking was for you...

But every time, you got back on the horse and rode it (albeit with more conservatism and caution) ... so I guess you answered your own question there!

I guess you could always take pro-active decisions like not riding pillion or together if you felt that strongly about the issue (but don't give up riding! )

Meh, whadda I know me being single, free and fancy free!

[Bikernereid]

As long as you ride safely it shouldn't matter what your gender.

I have an aunt who has wrapped her three children in cotton wool and has made them complete woosies. I think it is important that children are allowed to experiment within reason and develo a healthy understand ing of thier abilties and what is safe etc. if this is developed in younger life then hopfully it should continue in latter life and will provide a sound basis by which to life your life.

[99TLS]

my partner very rarely gets on the back of my bike because thats my " thing" but if we do go out together its only for short rides and i take as much care as I can to get her home safe, my kids 3 kids,( 4yr b/g twins, 2yr g) have had a good talk to them and i think they understand to some degree that i may not get home from every ride, they always ask me when i go out if i will be back soon , and i tell them HOPEFULLY

[Swoop]

Clarification is needed on this issue. Are we talking MILFs here?

Where is the issue? If you want to ride with young 'uns, go for it. Ixions' point of whole families in cars, is very valid.

[Bikernereid]

Good for you. I used to go out all the time with my dad when I was young but he had always instilled in my the danger of being on a bike but without putting the fear of God into me.

There is nothing that can beat common sense, honesty and explanations.

my partner very rarely gets on the back of my bike because thats my " thing" but if we do go out together its only for short rides and i take as much care as I can to get her home safe, my kids 3 kids,( 4yr b/g twins, 2yr g) have had a good talk to them and i think they understand to some degree that i may not get home from every ride, they always ask me when i go out if i will be back soon , and i tell them HOPEFULLY