Legal age for pillions in NZ?

**Maki** · 15th April 2011, 10:50

Thanks everyone. Her mum has said that our daughter is not going to be riding pillion until she is 10. She has spoken, and she is the boss so that is the way it is going to be. I don't really mind, the responsibility of taking a little one for a ride is very heavy and if something were to happen I would be devastated. Did I mention the mum is the person who gave me (let me spend our money on) my bike so her word carries quite a bit of weight.

**wysper** · 15th April 2011, 10:54

Originally Posted by Maki

Thanks everyone. Her mum has said that our daughter is not going to be riding pillion until she is 10. She has spoken, and she is the boss so that is the way it is going to be. I don't really mind, the responsibility of taking a little one for a ride is very heavy and if something were to happen I would be devastated. Did I mention the mum is the person who gave me my bike so her word carries quite a bit of weight.

Thats fair enough. It is much better if Mum is on board with the whole thing. My wife doesn't LOVE it, but knows that my daughter does and I enjoy sharing a hobby of mine with her.

But as I said before, we are on hold for a bit for her to get a bit bigger!

**MSTRS:Me** · 15th April 2011, 10:59

In most families, the underlying ethos is 'If Mama aint happy, aint no-one happy'

**trustme** · 15th April 2011, 12:15

There is an easy solution, teach mum to ride

Worked for me. Mum is still nervous about the little one riding, mums never change.

Your time will come

**Hawkeye** · 15th April 2011, 12:39

Originally Posted by MSTRS

In most families, the underlying ethos is 'If Mama aint happy, aint no-one happy'

Amen to that brother!

**raftn** · 15th April 2011, 14:59

I have pretty much been taking my kids since they were about 8, they are both very good pillions now, some times I even forget they are there.

Here is a blog about one of the trips I took my son on...

http://rogerfleming-raftnn.blogspot....-and-bike.html

You will have great times together, one on one time is the best, kids always really enjoy it. I think my son feels quite the lad when he is on the bike with me. Be sure to get some good gear,and it can take a while to find it. You will be surprised at how much you also enjoy the ride, simple because you cannot fang it when you have a precious cargo on board.

I think the biggest day I have done with Nathan is about 450kms...never complained though.

**The Lone Rider** · 17th April 2011, 20:36

Originally Posted by Maki

Well, my 7 year old is finally big enough to sit on the back of my R6. Not big enough to go out on rides, but big enough for a taste. I took her for a little first gear ride up and down the dead en street we live in and when we got back home and I took her off the bike she insisted on one more ride and would NOT take no for an answer. I had to oblige and she was very happy. Seems like she would like to go out on some real rides one day, fairly short ones since the R6 is not very comfortable for pillions...

Now, I wonder, at what age would you give a kid a helmet and gear so they can go out with you on a real ride? Something like 10?

Law states as long as they can sit on the pillion seat and comfortably place both feet flat on the foot pegs that you can take a pillion on your bike, at your discretion.

**cheshirecat** · 17th April 2011, 21:43

3 years old -

Click image for larger version.

Name: On the VFR.jpg
Views: 16
Size: 805.1 KB
ID: 236883

**ajturbo** · 17th April 2011, 21:53

Luke has been on the back from a very early age... but when he was 12 months old (like last year) i had a side chair... till he was around 3 years.... then by the time he was 13 years, he was trying to get his knee down on the back of the buell..

**Floppy disk** · 18th November 2013, 13:27

Folks,
Does anyone know what the minimum age is for a ride pillion behind a fully licensed rider? I am not after common sense or wise advices here

. I am after the law stipulations.

**bluninja** · 18th November 2013, 13:30

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...pillions-in-NZ

**Floppy disk** · 18th November 2013, 14:00

Originally Posted by bluninja

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...pillions-in-NZ

Thanks! But that thread does not answer the question from the law perspective. Advices and people stories are not what I am after, and the Road code page one person referred to does not refer to age so I am not sure it means age is irrelevant. Some say "three points of contact" is what matters, i.e. bum and feet touching properly, but is that the law? I wonder.

**Erelyes** · 18th November 2013, 14:13

Originally Posted by Floppy disk

Thanks! But that thread does not answer the question from the law perspective. Advices and people stories are not what I am after, and the Road code page one person referred to does not refer to age so I am not sure it means age is irrelevant. Some say "three points of contact" is what matters, i.e. bum and feet touching properly, but is that the law? I wonder.

Clauses 7.6 - 7.10 of the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 talk about the requirement for child restraints.
Clause 7.11 goes on to specifically exempt motorcycles from requiring such restraints.

I would take that as pretty specific that under-7's are allowed to ride on a motorcycle, since the provision was given to exempt them from requiring a restraint.

If you search 'Age' 'Years' 'Child' in that same Rule, nothing else comes up stating that there is an age limit.

**superjackal** · 18th November 2013, 14:36

Interesting question. My daughter's 6 and I pick her up from school. She usually sits on the front and we ride home at walking speed on the pavement. She LOVES it. Would be easier/faster as a pillion.

What type of helmut would be required for her? A motorcycle specific helmet or just a bicyclists helmet?

Sorry if this is hijacking....!