Here's a great article about riding with kids. Lots of links and such for helmets and other safety gear.

Hope this helps

M7

You can not go by age alone. Every kid is different, if they can do as they are told, if the helmet fits them properly, if they know that they MUST have the proper gear on. My 15 year old step daughter knows that if she's going to get on the bike, she has her helmet, long pants, gloves and armored jacket, no go otherwise.

Rayjay.... 9 kids? So much for motorcycle riding making guys impatant! You need more time on the BIKE

id say the kid would probly love it i started riding with my dad around 6 but was already riding mini bikes by 5 and getting all geard up was part of the fun i thought i was the man with all my gear on lol

I used to ride my niece to pre-school at 3. She would sit in front of me on my old Guzzi. She rode with me her whole life.
I would pick up my 2 boys from grammar school and they would both ride in the side car (on the same Guzzi) 25 years later. My boys have been riding on the back since they could get on and would listen and follow my instructions. My youngest has done several long rides with me, the longest being 2250 miles. If he gets good grades we do a summer ride.
We look forward to these rides and I know these are great memories he and I share. I probably will worry when he gets his own bike!! I'll know what my folks felt like....
I believe there is safety and there is living. Life is dangerous. On the bike I am in control. I stay clear of sticky situations, try to be away from traffic. My kids have learned respect for bikes and the road. I think this will make them better riders when the time comes.

I have to agree with thebru and rockybbad. I too have been riding with my dad since around 4 or 5 years old. I got my first bike at 8 and have been riding ever since. My 5-month-old is a bit young yet for a ride, but he sat on the bike with me the day I took it out of storage. As soon as he's able (and capable), he'll be riding with me.

My $.02