Kiddies on motorbikes?

**awa355** · 22nd January 2014, 17:47

Should there be a minimum age for riding a motor powered machine?

I think this tragedy highlights that children cannot react or anticipate as an adult probably would.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=11190382

**Katman** · 22nd January 2014, 17:53

There are plenty of people who successfully started riding a lot earlier than 5 years old. Ben Townley started riding at 3, I believe.

In the initial stages of learning though, a lot of thought needs to be given to exactly where that child will be riding. Riding anywhere near fences is potentially a recipe for disaster.

**unstuck** · 22nd January 2014, 17:55

Maybe a little more guidance needed in some cases, for sure. There are plenty of kids that dont get hurt riding bikes too.
Sounds like a case of whiskey throttle in this instance.

**jasonu** · 22nd January 2014, 18:24

I grew up in a rural area (Bulls) and most of the farm kids knew how to (relatively competently) ride by that age and some could drive the LandRover by the time they could see over the dash 'cause they were expected to help out on the farm.

**fridayflash** · 22nd January 2014, 18:32

such a sad story, the stepdad is teaching her a fun and wholesome outdoor activity and this happens...very sad! i kinda think the snappy power of the ktm50 (heard that bit on the radio today) might have i bit unexpected by her, and a pw50 or similar might have been less of a shock, but its done now huh. i think a lot of parents dont realise kids need to be taught how to ride and most importantly how to stop the bike before the engine is even started (it appears the step dad had done that) i know of a bloke who put his 4 year old daughter on an LT50 quad in a mates workshop..she freaked out at the forward motion and pinned the throttle wide open shooting straight accross the workshop, through the open doors and careered accross a busyish road and wiped out on the otherside unhurt.seriously scarey lesson for the dad

**Rhys** · 22nd January 2014, 18:45

There are people in their 40s that shouldn't be riding bikes

**unstuck** · 22nd January 2014, 19:07

Originally Posted by fridayflash

such a sad story, the stepdad is teaching her a fun and wholesome outdoor activity and this happens...very sad! i kinda think the snappy power of the ktm50 (heard that bit on the radio today) might have i bit unexpected by her, and a pw50 or similar might have been less of a shock, but its done now huh. i think a lot of parents dont realise kids need to be taught how to ride and most importantly how to stop the bike before the engine is even started (it appears the step dad had done that) i know of a bloke who put his 4 year old daughter on an LT50 quad in a mates workshop..she freaked out at the forward motion and pinned the throttle wide open shooting straight accross the workshop, through the open doors and careered accross a busyish road and wiped out on the otherside unhurt.seriously scarey lesson for the dad

I suppose the emergency cord on the LT wasnt in use?

**SMOKEU** · 22nd January 2014, 19:13

Little kids riding motorbikes is probably safer than putting them in a very old, badly maintained car with an incompetent fool as a driver who can't even master basic driving skills like indicating or lane changing. I see that shit all the time from muppets driving their kids to/from the school around the corner from me.

**Big Dave** · 22nd January 2014, 19:40

I started when I was three - on a home made 125.
Plenty did.
Away with your regulations.

**nudemetalz** · 22nd January 2014, 21:43

Good thing about the PW50 (and JR's I think) is that it has an adjustable throttle governor on them. Been considering getting a PeeWee for my 4 year old boy.