BERLIN: Parents thinking about taking their children on a motorcycle ride should definitely ask themselves if it's worth the additional risk, according to ADAC, Germany's largest automobile club.
If the answer is yes, you should take extensive precautions. In general, it is often only permitted to take a passenger on a motorcycle if there is a separate seat, a grab handle and footrests on both sides. The tank or temporary superstructures on the tank are usually not considered suitable.
If the passenger is a child under the age of 7, you should install a special motorcycle seat. You should also make sure that the child's feet cannot get into the spokes.
In many countries, it's prohibited to ride a motorcycle with a child in front of you or on your lap. Older children do not need a child seat, but they should be able to reach the rests with their feet.
Of course, both child and driver must wear a safety helmet, and it should fit the child well. Despite the fact that small passengers grow quickly, the ADAC recommends that parents provide suitable protective clothing at all times.
This includes jacket, trousers and gloves. Textile clothing with abrasion-resistant fibres is best suited for riding a motorcycle. Such material is more flexible than leather, suitable for all weather conditions and can be adjusted.
Because the protective clothing must fit exactly (it's useless otherwise), the ADAC advises borrowing gear for children to save on money, as they grow quickly. That said, motorcycle boots for kids, for example, are hardly available in most shops. However, the little ones are nevertheless required to wear at least tall, sturdy shoes.
And even if it doesn't necessarily help with safety, parents should consider installing an intercom system. This way, you always know if your child is alright. But definitely make sure the small passenger knows how to use it. They will probably love to practise.
