4.5 year old on motorbike

[arethereanyleftatall]

My DH took DD 4.5yrs to school on his motorbike yesterday (on his way to work). My first reaction was outrage, but he defended himself with the following:

1. It's 300 yards down the straight road and he doesn't reach more than 20 mph.
2. She has a proper helmet and her feet touch the pedals, which apparently are the only legal requirements.
3. She is capable of holding on. (She did)
4. The pavement to school is exceptionally narrow(only space for one, can't hold hands), bumpy and on a camber. Kids scoot on it, run on it etc etc and my heart is always in my mouth whenever we walk as I am worried she (or other children) could fall in to the busy road. So, he believes it's safer than this.

4, He is also says she could fall off a swing, off a scooter etc and will not have head protection to the quality she has on the motorbike.

1. Another vehicle causing an accident is as likely to do so on the crap pavement as on the road.

I sort of agree with his points and my only come back is that none of the other things are done at 20mph.

I am now trying to work out whether I think he's being unreasonable just because I haven't ever seen it before, or whether he genuinely is.

So, is he being unreasonable to do this?

I think he is being reasonable in this instance.

However, it will become the norm for her to ride a moterbike.

He is relying on a 4.5yr old to hold on, not fall asleep, not get distracted. That would be my argument.
Oh and what is she wearing, full leathers? If not and she does come off, he should be prepared for major burns and skin grafts, 20mph or not.

DH was in a mb accident. I am lucky to still have him and his leathers and helmelt saved his life but it took him 2 years to recover from all the breaks and burns. He is still not fully recovered from the psychological impact.

Your DH is being totally irresponsible. Risking your life on a motorbike is a decision you should make for yourself not your 4.5yr old dd.

I did this as a child. I absolutely loved it.

But, when I was 17 and very used to motorbikes, I managed to fall asleep with my visor up and fell off down the motorway. I landed down an embankment. I was fine - bit shocked! But it can happen. It's really easy to loosen your grip or let go without realising.

If she's in full protective gear - kneepads, full leathers etc, it probably won't matter. I've been in a fair few accidents on it and I've been okay, only a few breaks and no skin grafts etc. Without the proper kit, even 20mph is too fast.

@sleep404 Your last paragraph is way OTT for the slow 300 yard ride described.

The critical factor is whether she is capable of holding on. Then the risks ( for this ride) are the same as if she was on a tag-along third wheel bike behind a bicycle. Every kid I have ever met has loved riding on those.

Thank you for your responses.
I had expected a unanimous he is being unreasonable, so am sort of pleased with the response.
That's a good point you make Penny re the tag along third wheel bike, riding those could get up to 20 mph, or close with no where near the protection my DD has on. Do you know if children ride those at 4 years old?
Thanks Caja, I will say she needs to put more clothing on. I wonder if my old leather jacket (from skinnier times) would fit.
Really sorry to hear about your DH sleep.
Thanks White.

Apologies if I sounded OTT. Perhaps I am letting my experience influence my response. I still wouldn't rely on a 4.5yr old to hold on though.

We bought a third-wheel when (testing my memory here!) DS2 was about five?

That's a bit of a guess. As I said before, the most important part is whether you / DH feel that she is old enough to hold on continuously.

she would have to be wearing full leathers and motorbiking boots to be safe. aww i bet she would look really cute! I let my 6 year olds go on a moped with (very responsible) 16 year old in Greece, it still makes my blood run cold thinking about it! mostly about the lack of body protection although of course they wore helmets.

My dad used to take me into town with no helmet and just ordinary clothes, so from my perspective he's being reasonable.

I was younger, too.

He makes a good argument to be fair, however going by my nearly 6 year old daughter's attention span (she just gets very excited about EVERYTHING). I wouldn't want to rely on her to hold on the whole time which she would need to do to be safe. That would be my most major concern.

If the issue is her falling off. Why not get a belt/harness?

YABU. IMO your H points are valid.

I know a 4 year old who goes on a tag along bike.

I would sort out leathers of some sort - all the gear, all the time - so she gets into good habits. But I don't think your H is being unreasonable.

Leathers are a good idea, getting in to good habits are good ideas and you're right, she will look super cute! I will look in to the harness thing, fab idea.

I have 2 x 4yr old boys ... one I would trust to be fine the other..... not so much :)

depends on the child .. is off to look at some weeny motorbikes for the boy