Kid passenger on a bike?

**slofox** · 9th November 2011, 10:01

Wasn't quite sure what to make of this one...

Waiting at the lights and this dude comes by across the intersection on his bike.

He had what looked like a toddler (small kid anyway) seated in front of him on the front of the seat/back of the tank. Being a sprotbike, he was leaned forward, thereby kinda surrounding the kid. The kid had ATG on - looked quite safe in principal.

But I wondered what would happen if the ride went tits-up.

I used to pillion my son when he was about 5/6. But I sat him on the back where he could reach the footpegs etc etc.

Doubt I'd want to have a wee kid in front of me on the bike. And I suspect that Mr Plod might take a dim view of it all.

Waddaya think?

**SMOKEU** · 9th November 2011, 10:18

It's probably not something I'd attempt.

**slofox** · 9th November 2011, 10:20

Originally Posted by SMOKEU

It's probably not something I'd attempt.

Yeah. Kinda how I thought of it.

**5150** · 9th November 2011, 10:36

Originally Posted by slofox

Yeah. Kinda how I thought of it.

He could get done for molesting children...

But seriously, I'd be worried if he had to brake hard and squash the little fellow......

**slofox** · 9th November 2011, 10:47

Originally Posted by 5150

He could get done for molesting children...

But seriously, I'd be worried if he had to brake hard and squash the little fellow......

I'd be more worried about the kid bouncing along the road and under an oncoming 96 wheeled semi-trailer if we arsed off...

**sugilite:Me** · 9th November 2011, 11:05

I did this when my kids were kindergarten age, I preferred them being on the front as I always worried they may fall off the back! I did this with all 4 of my kids with no problems. Cops never stopped me, though I'd say it's not strictly legal to do. Naturally I left acres of following distance and my eyes were on stalks. I could go home two ways, one past the dairy (yes I'm a sucker) and the other I termed the "motorbike way" with loads more corners, they always chose the motorbike way

Funnily enough, on rainy days in the car, it was always the "dairy" way

**5150** · 9th November 2011, 11:15

Originally Posted by slofox

I'd be more worried about the kid bouncing along the road and under an oncoming 96 wheeled semi-trailer if we arsed off...

True that....

**HalfAKiwi** · 9th November 2011, 11:24

That's how they move whole families in Africa and South East Asia!

I was very impressed when the Thai owner of the guesthouse we stayed at showed me how he transported his 2 year old on his scooter. They have special seats that kind of clip on somehow (don't ask me how it is installed) so the little one has sort of a mini-seat in front of the real seat, just much smaller and a bit lower. The kid holds on to the handlebar. That way he still has space for his wife and/or the other kid to go on the back.

They're quite inventive in the developing world, and in Africa they just pile the whole family on a 125, granny, baby and all, wherever there's some space.

In saying that, I don't have a baby myself (yet, but soon) but I don't think I would attempt that?!

**manxkiwi** · 9th November 2011, 11:27

When I were a nipper (quite some time ago!! Ahem). I got a few rides sitting on tank with my feet over the headlight (440/4 and CD175, bikes like that) holding on to the handlebars. Mind, there wasn't much on road then. Was only around the block too.

Would be hard to condone it nowadys, especially on busy roads.

**Spearfish** · 9th November 2011, 11:28

I thought the pillion had to ride at the rear only and reach the pegs or be secured?

**iYRe** · 9th November 2011, 11:54

The law states they have to be able to hold on and to be able to reach the footpegs.

I take my daughter to preschool most days on the back of my cruiser. I have "love handles" that go around my stomach for her to hold on to, and a set of pegs raised up so she can sit on them and brace.

She's 4.5 - but I wouldnt probably go further than a km or 2 till she is a bit older (preschool is 1.5 km away)

**White trash** · 9th November 2011, 12:51

When Eddy aquired one Mr Bugdens championship winning Superbike at the end of 08, I was charged with getting it repainted and spruced up for the LG team. I took the opportunity to take 8 month old Keiran for a slow cruise up and down our couldesac on the NZ Championship Superbike, which I thught was cool. So did Keiran. Nothing faster than brisk walking pace.

The friendly police officer that just happened to be investigating a burglary accross the road didn't think it quite as cool. Still farily nice about it though, no tickets.

Got a photo somewhere.

**george formby** · 9th November 2011, 12:59

My first forays on two wheels were perched on the tank of a trials bike, got my first helmet at 5 so I could sit on the back of a brand spanking RD 400 which my old man wheelied mercilessly, he took a lot of pleasure in scaring the $h!t out of me. I can still remember as a toddler on a trike being chased by him on a Dot scrambler

Probably my first memory.

Not sure I would go too far on a pubic road with a sprogg on the tank, though. Just in case.....

**jscottbowman** · 9th November 2011, 15:20

My guess is this would be viewed illegal by police.

I am fairly sure pillion has to be on a proper seat, and be able to reach footpegs. And obviously wear a helmet but that goes without saying.
I deliberately waited till my kids could do just that, here's a link to my hobby blog, with a few pics at the bottom:
Warning - this is my non-cool (in biker terms anyway?) geeky hobby, you have been warned! ;-)
http://scottswargaming.blogspot.com/...f-excuses.html