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Possibly Illegal...
So, the other day when I was leaving car line, I saw something that kinda gave me chills. One of the dad's decided it was okay to pick up their kid on a motorcycle. It wasn't a crotch rocket or anything, just a basic touring-type bike. However, the child in question being picked up was only 8 or 9. And there was a very small, toddler-aged child in front of the dad, clinging to the gas tank.
Isn't it illegal to have kids that age on a motorcycle? Is it just me, or is that inherently unsafe? The older kid, I could maybe allow, as long as there was a helmet involved, but the toddler? No fucking way.
Am I out of line for thinking this? If it's illegal, should I inform the school? Can they be held liable for anything by releasing the child into an illegal situation?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Herasmus B. Dragon on
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No, you're not out of line. No the school would not be liable. Yes, it is illegal. I can only hope they were just going a block or two.
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Permalink Reply by ruth on -
Everything HBD said. I'd report it. The school can decide what to do; I agree they're not liable but they could anonymously notify the police. It's DEFINITELY illegal. And horrifying.
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Permalink Reply by TommysMommy on -
Yeah, I would have thought there were age/height/weight requirements. I almost called the cops on a dad who was picking up his 3 y.o. daughter from preschool in his hot little "I am still young!" vehicle. In the front seat, with no booster. We have laws here about age/height/weight. I went to the preschool ladies first and they had a chat with him. I hope his wife (the 2nd, young one) kicked his ass. If she didn't, she's as dumb as he is.
I'd tell the school. Hopefully it was a one-off.
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Permalink Reply by kommishoner on -
It may not be illegal, if the kids were helmeted. Depends on state/local law.
Tell the school if you must, but this isn't an inobvious thing. If it is illegal,he'll get pulled over.
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Permalink Reply by wookie on -
It may not be illegal... I do know that vehicles with seatbelts have different standards than motorcycles. The toddler would have given me the chills too.
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Permalink Reply by wookie on
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http://www.wheels.ca/Article%20Category/article/460486
this might shed some light. A brief read of this would seem to indicate that the "age" at which you are safe to ride on a motorcycle is when your feet can reach the ... foot support things. Well that and a helmet, but the helmet is a "no brainer"
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Permalink Reply by mightyninjamom on -
I don't think Texas has a helmet law... I couldn't see the toddlers' head, only her tiny little legs and arms. Okay, I looked up the laws - it was surprisingly easy to find. I wasn't expecting that. Under 5 is illegal, and under 20 require a helmet. Like TM said, I also hope it was a one-off, and that they just didn't have another vehicle available. But if I see it again, I'll talk to the director of the school.
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Permalink Reply by Mommy Monster on -
As a former motorcycle rider, I am horrified.
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Permalink Reply by kommishoner on
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I dunno. I'm sure people clutched their pearls when they saw me riding the little man around on my bike, even with a helmet. I started when he was around 8 months old, maybe 10. I tried to stay off main arterials when I could to keep the traffic exposure low. As long as this motorcycle stayed off the freeway, I don't see this as being much different than what I did. I guess that makes it hard for me to get worked up about it.
Sounds like it is, in fact, illegal in Texas, though, so that's another story. No matter how safe I think his actions or mine are, it's not okay if it's not legal.
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Permalink Reply by mightyninjamom on
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Well, I see what you're saying kommish, but I'm pretty sure that when the little man was only 8 months old, he was in some sort of bike seat, no? That's something I would be down with. Well, I wouldn't do it because I'm a crappy bike rider, but I encouraged Will to take the kids for rides when they were younger and we still had a bike trailer. The difference, I guess, is that the toddler I saw had absolutely nothing to really hold her onto the motorcycle. She couldn't brace her feet on anything, it didn't look like she was strapped to the dad, she was just sort of leaning forward hugging the gas tank.
Like I said, I hope it's a one-time deal. The street right outside the school is a 35mph zone, and since Fridays are early dismissal, school zone speeds weren't in effect. And then he turned onto a road that has a 40 mph speed limit. Chances are they live fairly close by, but I hope I don't see that again.
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Permalink Reply by Mommy Monster on
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I would add that there is no risk of severe burns from a hot muffler on a bicycle. I've seen many adult solo riders burn themselves when they accidentally brush up against it.
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Permalink Reply by Boring User Name on -
I have a scar from a burn on my left thigh from that! I don't know how old I was, maybe 8, but pretty much put me off motorcycles for life.
Mommy Monster said:I would add that there is no risk of severe burns from a hot muffler on a bicycle. I've seen many adult solo riders burn themselves when they accidentally brush up against it.
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