How Old Should A Child Be Before Riding A Motorbike

**RiderInBlack** · 19th February 2005, 19:31

After see this ( 'Wonderful kids' killed as father's ute hits motocross bike) on the news yesterday I just could not help but think that a 7year old should not have unsupervised use of a MX bike. Even though it must have been gut renching for their Dad (something he will be living with for the rest of his life), I still feel that child under 10 does not have enough life-experience to be left in charge of a powered Vehicle (let alone own one). Sad and tradgic, but avoidible.

What's you're option?

**James Deuce** · 19th February 2005, 19:42

Life experience isn't the issue.

Sub-10 year olds haven't trained their brain to calculate approach vectors, velocities, and potential collisions. There are always exceptions, but the general rule of developmental thumb is that sub-10 year olds shouldn't be in an environment where they need to make decisions based on auntonomous, instinctual brain function. Throw three balls at a sub-10 year old and watch him fall over trying to catch them all. Do the same thing to a 12 year old, and he'll probably go for the one approaching quickest without thinking, then have a stab at the other two, while staying on his feet.

Under 10 year olds shouldn't be on the road or footpath on any vehicle because they just can't tell how quickly something is approaching. They may be perfectly capable of controlling a vehicle in a controlled situation, or racing junior MX for instance, but add in the random environment of the real world and it all changes.

The 7 year old probably went into a flight or fright response immediately, and we all know how panic isn't a great idea in any situation.

Still a tragedy, and it can't be undone. No matter how noble your intentions, you can't teach anyone anything from someone else's tragedy, or expect other people to see the same lesson you do.

**Gixxer 4 ever** · 19th February 2005, 20:33

Hard to comment on this as two of my kids were riding before ten years of age. There would have been no problem if they did not go on the road. I believe they had been told but kids will be kids. As this is a public forum and as I have no idea what relationship some other KBers have with this family I think I will simply say "lets learn from this and I am gutted this happened." To the family our condolences.

**avgas** · 19th February 2005, 21:11

yeh i thinks its just a game of chances now.
I had neigbours that were driving and riding by age 10, but i think the real case is that limits need to be set.
At the end of the day, why was an under 10, with little riding experience on the road? I wasnt allowed to try a road bike, untill about 6 months of riding off road everyday.
I think the world needs to slow down so people can spend time with their families. Im am sick of working 50 hour weeks just to pay the bills.

**DarkNinja** · 19th February 2005, 21:14

Originally Posted by Jim2

Life experience isn't the issue.

Sub-10 year olds haven't trained their brain to calculate approach vectors, velocities, and potential collisions. There are always exceptions, but the general rule of developmental thumb is that sub-10 year olds shouldn't be in an environment where they need to make decisions based on auntonomous, instinctual brain function. Throw three balls at a sub-10 year old and watch him fall over trying to catch them all. Do the same thing to a 12 year old, and he'll probably go for the one approaching quickest without thinking, then have a stab at the other two, while staying on his feet.

Under 10 year olds shouldn't be on the road or footpath on any vehicle because they just can't tell how quickly something is approaching. They may be perfectly capable of controlling a vehicle in a controlled situation, or racing junior MX for instance, but add in the random environment of the real world and it all changes.

The 7 year old probably went into a flight or fright response immediately, and we all know how panic isn't a great idea in any situation.

Still a tragedy, and it can't be undone. No matter how noble your intentions, you can't teach anyone anything from someone else's tragedy, or expect other people to see the same lesson you do.

Well put... What that man said

**Motu** · 19th February 2005, 22:27

10 is too old to start training as a Jedi,or so I've been told....but Luke did pretty good I reckon....

You'll find most of the top riders (or drivers)in this world,no matter what sort of riding they do - started out at a very young age,certainly younger than 10,you have to start that young to build up the reflexes and experiance.The guys who enter Formula One as teenagers have been racing soon as they can walk.

7 or 8 is about right - to ride with total adult supervision.

**dangerous** · 19th February 2005, 22:54

I cant see that riding before the age of 10 is a problem..... but the parents/oversers need to be present and the riders should not be near a road not on a over powering bike and wereing all protective clothing including a helmet, which I believe these two kids were not wereing (correct me if I'm wrong but thats what the news said down here) .... actuallty I believe they broke all of the above rules.... but wtf would I know, right

**gav** · 19th February 2005, 23:10

The key word? UNSUPERVISED
I can recall Josh Coppins as a 5 year old racing a JR50 in Motueka, and he wasn't racing alone. Lot of young ones having ago and I guess there still is.

The tragedy was why were these kids on the road?

**Slipstream** · 19th February 2005, 23:17

When should you start letting your kids do anything?

I'm not to sure about my little girls, jumping on their Quad and going for a scoot down the street, to the dairy. Thats why they can't get to it

But what about other things?

Like:

I waited in the car outside the dairy while my 5 year old went in and bought an ice cream. I have known the owners for over 10 years now but still.

I let her walk up the driveway to her school and hope that it never occurs to her to walk back down and go for walk-about.

I'm also wondering when I should let her catch the "school" bus.

When is she old enough to escort her sister to school?

When can I rely on her to make her own way to school, when I go back to work?

etc....

I have lots more questions about when the right time is for my girls to do something.

But you know what, one day, it just is. One day, your kids are old enough to do things.

My oldest....hmmm 10 to never. She just doesn't seem to be interested.

But I think my youngest daughter will be ready to ride her first "nifty fifty" at 6.
She'll be doing her first stunt at 8, be on the track at 10 and out-stunting dear ol' Dad at 13.

I swear she was born to sit on a bike....

**gav** · 19th February 2005, 23:21

Wait till they're 14 and chasing boys, then you'll be worried

Or is that boys chasing them??

**Slipstream** · 19th February 2005, 23:39

Originally Posted by gav

Wait till they're 14 and chasing boys, then you'll be worried

Or is that boys chasing them??

hmmmm definitely the latter....Oldest will grow up to be a model-esk type, and Youngest will be so fast on her bike, that boys will be chasing her

**madandy** · 20th February 2005, 06:46

I first rode a little automatic Suzuki dirt bike at age of 5 in Australia and while riding around my parents, friends' new house/building site was fun due to the piles of metal and soil, one day I decided to venture beyond the front gate and try road riding for fun...a large tip truck happened to be on that same piece of road, driving towards me, and despite having riden litterally tens of thousands of miles, as passenger in Dads' Roadtrains (big Truck with several large trailers full of cattle,sheep or pigs) I was at a total loss as to which side of the road I was meant to ride on...I tried the left side, still the truck seemed to be on my side, then I tried the right side and still the truck was on my side...by the time I pulled onto the grass verge and U-turned back towards the house the truck had come to a halt as it was clear to the driver that I had no idea where on the road I should place myself...Boy did I get a thrashing from my old man!

**Coyote** · 20th February 2005, 08:17

Originally Posted by Motu

You'll find most of the top riders (or drivers)in this world,no matter what sort of riding they do - started out at a very young age,certainly younger than 10,you have to start that young to build up the reflexes and experiance.The guys who enter Formula One as teenagers have been racing soon as they can walk.

I started out when I was 13, and I have no chance of racing competitively against these kids who started out when they were 2-3. You have to be a prodigy to even have a chance to beat those that started early. At least thats the case with MX, when I was racing in motard, I was pulling away from the 12 year old who was riding since he was 3, after 3 race days

Maybe I'm a motard prodigy

I still count myself lucky that I even have a bike

**Sensei** · 20th February 2005, 08:40

My first son was doubling on our Z50 at 2years old & my 2nd boy has just started doing the same at 20 months old . Oldest boy now nearly 7ys rides round in the front paddock by himself , with me watching . But bike is locked up in the shed when not in use , so there is no way he can use it if I'm not around . Feel very much for the parents . But with motor bikes come some risks & supervision is a must till old enough to know the risks involved .
SENSEI

**RiderInBlack** · 20th February 2005, 08:55

Thanks guys. This is the kind of disgustion I want to see. Glad to see that a few of you see the unsupervised part being the main problem and not their age.

I've come from a very conservitive family when it comes to vehicles. We didn't have a bicycle until we were 11 and it was a long time before we were allowed to "steer" the tractor. "Cage" driving started in the shed with the motor off and practicing gear changes before driving in the paddock (about 14-15). Didn't get my drivers licience until 18. As for bikes, well that was a big family no no (hence why I have come to them so late).
What I am trying to say here is that it is understandable that because of my upbring that I would think that under 10 is too young to be riding a motor bike of any kind (I feel the same way about riding horses & ponies too).
I don't mind being wrong, but sometimes I feel that we push our kids to soon to do things just to try a bet the other guys. The same happens in many sports, starting them young so that they would be more compeditive in their "prime". The question we need to ask is:
"Is it worth the risk and the stress just so our children can be winners?"