Risky kids!

[sinfull]

Yup. Little Miss 19 months old often demands a ride now. Sits on the tank holding the handlebars while surrounded by my arms and goes "weeeee" as we take off down the drive.
(Yes, no helmets and it does appear to be on the road but it's really just off the end of our driveway at the end of our quiet cul-de-sac. Managed risk I tells ya)

Pulls up a chair

[raftn]

I vote for having the x wife assisinated.

You have made my day! My thoughts exactly!

[alanzs]

but now i have found that i am getting grief from the x wife about all the dangers..blah blah blah, It doesnt help that she is a nurse, and gets to see all the graphic pictures of accidents etc.....I have found in general that the rides i have taken the kids on have been very enjoyable, when we stop and chat and talk like best friends, and is something we enjoy doing together, and they get quality one on one time with Dad.(well when we stop they do) So what are other peoples view on this?

Your EX WIFE gives you grief. That's unique!. Key words, EX WIFE. Have fun with your kids, and let the EX WIFE worry about whatever the hell she wants. Be safe, teach them well, be their dad and enjoy them while they are young, as they grow up waaaay too fast.
I used to take my kids on the back of my bikes when they were little; starting at 6 and 8 years old. I had a strap made so that my daughter wouldn't fall asleep and fall off. They were so relaxed on the bikes, and they loved all aspects of the ride, just like we do; the thrill of acceleration, the scary times, the boring times, the food, they loved it all. They have grown up with the best memories of having great, quality time with their dad, and I have great memories of them as well.
Keep doing what you are doing! Sounds like you are a good father for questioning what you are doing...

[Usarka]

Oh i didn't read that it was your EX wife.

Fuck her do what you think is right

[wickle]

So tell me what do people think about taking thie kids for a ride on the back of there bikes. my two are 10 and 8 and are nuts about bikes, always nagging me for a ride. I have purchased protective gear for them icluding correct fitting helmet, gloves boots jackets etc.....and i am utmost carefull when i take them for a ride, but now i have found that i am getting grief from the x wife about all the dangers..blah blah blah, It doesnt help that she is a nurse, and gets to see all the graphic pictures of accidents etc.....I have found in general that the rides i have taken the kids on have been very enjoyable, when we stop and chat and talk like best friends, and is something we enjoy doing together, and they get quality one on one time with Dad.(well when we stop they do) So what are other peoples view on this?

ex's, hate the kids coming home so excited about what they did with the other parent which I supose puts them on the auto defencive. Take them riding if they love it.

[Padmei]

Take my two girls 3 1/2 & 5 1/2on my bike at the same time - one on the tank & older one behind. They both love it to bits when we go down the long driveway to the letterbox or dairy. Have taken older one on ulysses toy run & she really loved it. - my mate was following said with all the waving there wasn't a lot of holding on going on - luckily I was only going 20kph.

They really enjoy the wind in their faces & giggle when I give it a little acceleration ( I said little)

I hope to be riding with my girls when they are old enough to get their licenses

[bull]

I take my boy, 11yrs old on the bike to rugby most weekends. I remember my old man taking me on a bike once in my entire life and wish it had been more, so kind of making up for lost time with my own boy. My two younger boys 7 and 6 want to go on it but too small at present. Have picked my eldest up from school a few times and he gets all the oohs and aahs from the other kids, he knows it cool as hell.

My two younger boys have been on a old trail bike with me at local empty lot but nowhere else. Would love to have the pingas to get them some trail bikes to ride but alas the money tree is still not sprouting.

Ive told all my kids, once youre 15 youre getting a bike, then they can ride to school, and rugby trainings and part time jobs - sounds like freedom to both them and me.

[BiK3RChiK]

Raftn, your time with YOUR kids is YOUR time! Tell her to p*ss off and stop interfering when it's her time out.. I'm sure from having met you and from what you have said that you would be very responsible! She needs to get a life...

[mashman]

Raftn, your time with YOUR kids is YOUR time! Tell her to p*ss off and stop interfering when it's her time out.. I'm sure from having met you and from what you have said that you would be very responsible! She needs to get a life...

ABSOFUCKINLUTELY...

Might be worth pointing out that you consider the time on the bike less damaging to their health than the time they spend with their mother!!! (let's not get into mother in laws... EEEEEK!!!!)

[Donor]

When I am able to get my 6 year old some gears, he'll be coming on small rides with me.

Also means I will be able to drop him at school in the mornings on the bike, instead of having to bloody drive every day.

I have sufficient trust in myself as both a rider and a father, to ride with the skill necessary to prevent any harm coming to my most precious child.

[FROSTY:Me]

As you can see in my profile pic i've been carrying baby bikie most of his life on a bike.
Never had a drama.
If you look back at old threads you'll see the same question answered.

Thing is I figured ok this is a dangerous decision Im making --so how can I make it as safe as possible.
Baby bike wears gloves, a kids sized helmet,leather jacket a back/chest protector,MX boots and ski pants.

When he was younger He had BMX gloves,a kids MX lid (replaced with a shoei youth full face) A ski jacket ,pants and gumboots

[civil]

I started picking my son up from knidy on the back of the bike when he was 4yo. He had his own helmet and was racing his own crf50 in the mini MX class by then.

Got stopped by a cop once to tell me he should be in an "approved safety device". I left the cop standing on the side of the road when he could not tell me what one of them was!!!

Best thing you can do is get them on bikes early to learn how to behave on them.

[raftn]

Thanx to all that offerd your pearls of wisdom.....it s nice to know that i am not alone on this one. i will continue to take my kids on my bike, regardless of the x missis. The time i spend with them is precious. Safe riding all.

[firefighter]

Do what the fu*k you want, theyr'e your kids too. My folks had the EXACT same argument and were also seperated, and quite often I was in the middle of it (no bullshit councelling needed here!...twitch.. twitch) but my oldman would just take me out anyway (just a helmet and sometimes no shoes!) and i'm really grateful that he did, I loved spending time with the oldman and I'd have to say just go for it.

[paulmac:Me]

I get asked by friends kids for rides and my standard answer is : If you can see over my shoulder whilst we are sitting on the bike, then yes I'll take you for a ride"
I've found it easier when they can see whats happening
my $0.02 worth