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FEATURED ARTICLE
4-1-2008
I was recently asked by a father what my recommendations would be relative to riding with a child passenger. (This dad was anxiously looking forward to his first riding season with his young daughter).
I like lists and I like to keep things bundled in groups of three. So, in response, here are my top three things every parent should know & practice when it comes to riding with kids: T.O.T
Something else to consider, with respect to training, is a signal system. How will you and your junior co-pilot communicate during a ride? (Especially important if you don't have a radio headset device). My son and I use a "tap" system: 2 hard taps on the back communicates a need to stop, non-emergency. This is used for times when a stretch or potty break is needed.
3 rapid taps indicates an emergency; ie. STOP IMMEDIATELY! No time is wasted here. Pull off to the side of the road and see what's wrong.
On a week long trip in 2006, my son enacted the 3 tap emergency signal. We were riding in a hot climate and he began to feel nauseated. He "rapid" tapped and I pulled over just in time for him to spew...fortunately not in his helmet. (Our system paid off)!
We've recently incorporated the "soft squeeze." A squeeze to either the right or left elbow indicates that my passenger wants me to look at something of interest in that respective direction. It could be something as innocuous as a road sign or as magnificent as a herd of elk.
Teach your kids hand signals for turning as well. If confident with their understanding of those basic arm movements for Stop, Right & Left turns allow them to use them on your travels. I try to arm signal in combination with my bikes light signals so as to ensure caged drivers around me have something to see. It wasn't long before, in my rearview mirror, I could see my son imitating my arm signals. Now, after some remedial training along the way, I leave the arm signals to him.
Next time...we'll delve into the "O" in T.O.T: Outfitting.
4-1-2008
I was recently asked by a father what my recommendations would be relative to riding with a child passenger. (This dad was anxiously looking forward to his first riding season with his young daughter).
I like lists and I like to keep things bundled in groups of three. So, in response, here are my top three things every parent should know & practice when it comes to riding with kids: T.O.T
- Training
- Outfitting
- Timing
Something else to consider, with respect to training, is a signal system. How will you and your junior co-pilot communicate during a ride? (Especially important if you don't have a radio headset device). My son and I use a "tap" system: 2 hard taps on the back communicates a need to stop, non-emergency. This is used for times when a stretch or potty break is needed.
3 rapid taps indicates an emergency; ie. STOP IMMEDIATELY! No time is wasted here. Pull off to the side of the road and see what's wrong.
On a week long trip in 2006, my son enacted the 3 tap emergency signal. We were riding in a hot climate and he began to feel nauseated. He "rapid" tapped and I pulled over just in time for him to spew...fortunately not in his helmet. (Our system paid off)!
We've recently incorporated the "soft squeeze." A squeeze to either the right or left elbow indicates that my passenger wants me to look at something of interest in that respective direction. It could be something as innocuous as a road sign or as magnificent as a herd of elk.
Teach your kids hand signals for turning as well. If confident with their understanding of those basic arm movements for Stop, Right & Left turns allow them to use them on your travels. I try to arm signal in combination with my bikes light signals so as to ensure caged drivers around me have something to see. It wasn't long before, in my rearview mirror, I could see my son imitating my arm signals. Now, after some remedial training along the way, I leave the arm signals to him.
Next time...we'll delve into the "O" in T.O.T: Outfitting.
PRODUCT UPDATE
4-1-2008:
4-1-2008:
- GR8 Trousers continue to be available but only in Black/Silver. All sizes available.
- The only remaining Champion jackets are listed on the Clearance page.
- The new style jacket replacing the GR8 has been delayed. Our Cool Textile jacket, however, is of the same style & quality as the GR8 and has the additional feature of zippers in the chest, back and arms for venting during hot weather.
Did you know...?
It seems a natural progression that with more motorcycles being purchased and ridden combined with the fact the big manufacturers are assertively marketing to the growing population of women riders that motorcycling with children would become a topic.
Earlier this year, the Washington State Senate introduced a bill (SB 5152) attempting to change the leagl riding age of a child from 5 to 10. The bill was eventually amended to reflect that any child between age 5 and 12 had to: be able to reach the footpegs, be wearing a DOT approved helmet, and the motorcycle had to have a backrest or some type of handles had to be available.
Ultimately, the bill did not pass. However, it could be reintroduced next year.
I don't think it was a bad idea...at least after it was amended. To simply change the age of a child rider does nothing to promote or ensure safety. That lies with the parent or guardian.
There are some other points that are being overlooked, though:
1) No real studies or statistics are available to document the number of children riding motorcycles as passengers in comparison with injuries / deaths. Washington State listed 10 over a ten year period of children between ages 5 and 14. But in comparison to how many riding? It's unknown.
2) Family motorcycling is just beginning to become really popular. Currently, to my knowledge, no motorcycle safety training addresses the subject of riding with children and the unique needs / characteristics of doing so.
3) Quality gear for children hasn't been available.
What I do know is that with motorcycles increasing in popularity and sales continuing to grow along with gas prices rising without any apparent end in sight the reality of riding as a family is at hand. My opinion is that it's a natural progression. Women are now riding their own motorcycles. The men are on their rides, too. So why not bring the kids?!
My family has had some of the best adventures in the saddle of our 'cycles. My oldest and I took a "man trip" to Montana and on into Yellowstone last year. (If you haven't experienced Yellowstone on a motorcycle, you are surely missing out)! Then, this year, our family vacation was spent riding to, and enjoying, the Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally. The folks in Baker City, OR are really hospitable and it is a family friendly venue!
So, again, why not take the kids along? I've seen bikers with their dogs all buckled into their pillion. I saw a guy riding with a parrot on his shoulder. That's all cool, but think of the stories and memories you'll share in the future if you take the kids?! I don't see too many late evening dialogues with a parrot reminiscing over a rally from a decade prior. Teach 'em right. Take 'em along. They're the bikers of the future.
In closing, I leave you with some advice. Know your state law and the requirements it outlines for children as passengers. Outfit your kids with the proper gear (DOT helmet, right type of gloves and jackets, over the ankle boots, etc). Lastly, take a motorcycle safety course and recommend to the instructors to look into curriculum developement that deals specifically with kids. Ask if your children can attend with you just to see what goes on.
It seems a natural progression that with more motorcycles being purchased and ridden combined with the fact the big manufacturers are assertively marketing to the growing population of women riders that motorcycling with children would become a topic.
Earlier this year, the Washington State Senate introduced a bill (SB 5152) attempting to change the leagl riding age of a child from 5 to 10. The bill was eventually amended to reflect that any child between age 5 and 12 had to: be able to reach the footpegs, be wearing a DOT approved helmet, and the motorcycle had to have a backrest or some type of handles had to be available.
Ultimately, the bill did not pass. However, it could be reintroduced next year.
I don't think it was a bad idea...at least after it was amended. To simply change the age of a child rider does nothing to promote or ensure safety. That lies with the parent or guardian.
There are some other points that are being overlooked, though:
What I do know is that with motorcycles increasing in popularity and sales continuing to grow along with gas prices rising without any apparent end in sight the reality of riding as a family is at hand. My opinion is that it's a natural progression. Women are now riding their own motorcycles. The men are on their rides, too. So why not bring the kids?!
My family has had some of the best adventures in the saddle of our 'cycles. My oldest and I took a "man trip" to Montana and on into Yellowstone last year. (If you haven't experienced Yellowstone on a motorcycle, you are surely missing out)! Then, this year, our family vacation was spent riding to, and enjoying, the Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally. The folks in Baker City, OR are really hospitable and it is a family friendly venue!
So, again, why not take the kids along? I've seen bikers with their dogs all buckled into their pillion. I saw a guy riding with a parrot on his shoulder. That's all cool, but think of the stories and memories you'll share in the future if you take the kids?! I don't see too many late evening dialogues with a parrot reminiscing over a rally from a decade prior. Teach 'em right. Take 'em along. They're the bikers of the future.
In closing, I leave you with some advice. Know your state law and the requirements it outlines for children as passengers. Outfit your kids with the proper gear (DOT helmet, right type of gloves and jackets, over the ankle boots, etc). Lastly, take a motorcycle safety course and recommend to the instructors to look into curriculum developement that deals specifically with kids. Ask if your children can attend with you just to see what goes on.