Hey Slugger,

I have a 6-yr-old daughter and all I could get the courage for was a ride up and down my own block. I don't think I would be able to live with myself if something happened to her while on my bike. I don't think you can compare a bike to a car - any small collision on a bike has bigger consequences than a small collision on a car.

Furthermore, I am also reluctant to take my wife on the bike - I figure if something happened to both of us, who would take care of the kids (I also have a 2-yr-old boy)?

No matter what choice you make, I don't think it comes down to being irresponsible or not. We can be the best drivers in the world and some drunk %&^%$*@$ could change our history. While I don't "live in fear", I do try to minimize the risk to my family.

God bless.


DJR

yup, wise words danny!
thanks guys

I started taking my daughters on my scoot when the youngest was 8 almost 9. Her feet reached the floor boards and she has her own helmet full coverage, boots, gloves, and always wears long pants and a shirt with sleeves. She loves to ride and has gone on some moderate length rides of 100 plus miles. At first I took short rides and don't do anything wild with her on board. She is eleven now and loves to ride. I am on her second pair of boots and need new ones she keeps out growing them!!!! The biggest concern for me other than risk is that she will fall asleep and fall off. She gets drowsy so I check on her regularly and if she is getting sleepy we stop and walk around a bit.
If he can sit on the scoot with his feet secure so they don't get into places they should not go then I would take him for a ride short at first to see how it goes. He will love it and you will have a willing passenger anytime you want him to go at least that is how it is for me. I have 2 of 3 daughters that love to ride and will only ride with me.

My 7 yo son has been riding with me for about 6 months now. Full co0verage and proper-fitting helmet are mandatory in my house. He knows the rules and loves the ride. Plus...the cool-factore when I drop him off at school in front of his "cager" friends with their SUV Soccer-moms is a big rush for him.

just my experience,
DKLAZ

My 7 yo son has been riding with me for about 6 months now. Full co0verage and proper-fitting helmet are mandatory in my house. He knows the rules and loves the ride. Plus...the cool-factor when I drop him off at school in front of his "cager" friends with their SUC Soccer-moms is a big rush for him.

just my experience,
DKLAZ

I have taken all 3 of my kids for short rides around my neighborhood. They are 6, 9, and 12 years old. I elect not to take any of them on rides in traffic.

I took my daughter up and down the neighborhood streets at age 6. Short run on the highway when she was 7. She's 8 now and we did 25 miles last weekend. I'll never forget the first highway ride...made sure she was holding on tight, hit 3rd. gear fairly hard then 4th. on up to 65mph. she loved it; her eyes were as big as half dollars when we got back. 25 miles was a little too far, I kept talking to her I think after awhile she got a little sleepy.

I have nine children. I've ridden with 5 of them so far. The three youngest are now 6, 9, and 12. I took them out last fall with a full helmet - no other gear. We drove around the local streets here and they had fun.

My only concern was that the helmet was heavy for the two little ones. I was afraid it would throw them off!

I wanted them to hug me around my waist, but I'm too big and they are too small to reach around.

Now that I have a driver's back rest, they can hold onto that or the sissy bar behind them. I feel like the back rest and bar can contain them now.

I don't think that it would serve any purpose to run them down the Parkway or Turnpike...especially here in New Jersey!

You guys talk about kids getting sleepy? Geez that's why I had to put a tour pak on with the wrap around back rest so that my wife won't fall off when she falls asleep. I also carry bungie cords so I can strap her on!

I took my boy several times, we both enjoyed it alot. After my wife and I went down I decieded no more with the kids. I've broke myself up and been in the hospitol more time than I can count, I can deal with breaking myself up but seeing one of your loved ones hurt is more than I can live with. It's been a year and now the wife wants back on and we're going to try it....Good luck with you choice.