that there's no minimum age to be a passenger on a motorbike

[Notapodling]

I've twice recently seen a young child (maybe 6?) on the back of a motorbike in my area, once in a 60mph zone.

I assumed it was illegal but apparently not.

I know someone will come on and say IBU but surely if a child that age has to have a car/booster seat in a car, back of a bike is far more dangerous?

This really surprised me.

Some people ride bikes instead of driving cars.

Presumably they are wearing full safety gear?

I used to do it and loved it. Came to no harm.

They don't need a booster seat; they hang on like baby monkeys.

It's not so much the booster, rather that there's nothing strapping them in, and nothing between them and the road.
I fully admit being a complete nervous nellie though

www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q397.htm

Any passenger has to be able to sit properly with feet on supports and have a proper helmet. So presumably you cant do this without a bit of planning.

Still seems pretty dangerous.

Yanbu, my ex used to threaten to pick ds up on his bike sometimes, purely because he knew I would worry myself silly at the thought of it. Luckily he never did but I totally agree, it seems madness that there are laws about wearing seatbelts / children being in correct booster seats but children are allowed to sit on the back of a motorbike.

It does seem a bit suprising to me, but then some say that motorbikes are safer that cars.

But I am also suprised if there is no lower age limit to a pillion passenger

My sister is 15 and goes on my dads motorbike. She loves it but my dad ensures she has all the safety clothing (helmet, boots, gloves etc)

I dont know anyone that says bikes are safer than cars. And I know loads of bikers.
None of them would put somone on pillion if they didnt feel it was safe because they'd have to live with the consequenses of an accident. Plus an unsafe passenger can cause one.

DS is 7 and has been in the back of his grandad and uncles road bikes no problem. He has his own (off road) motorbike though so he's far more competent than many people (eg me!). I'd never let him go on a 60 mile an hour road though, just local streets.

Yes, it's legal and on average, more dangerous than a child being a passenger in a car.

But then it might offer logistical advantages and turn what might have been a trip in the back of a car with an ipad, into a parent and child life enriching experience.

What was your point again?

I dont know anyone that says bikes are safer than cars.

These people do

ridingsafely.com/ridingsafely1.html

Riding a motorcycle is safer than driving a car because riders see more, evade better, are more attentive, and assume less. The rider has higher stakes, but if they ride safely, are less likely to have an accident in the first place.

Back in the day I'm 35 so not soooo far back I used to be happily on the back of my dads motorbike age 4 screaming to go faster

He didn't have a car licence back then and I had my own bright orange helmet and bike gear. I bloody loved it. Would I let my 10 year old on the back of a bike now? Not a bloody chance!
Double standards yes but even 21 years ago things were v different!

Less power in everything, almost no stupid speed bumps and everyone was naice and considerate on the roads probably not really

31 years!! Fuck that now makes me feel ancient 😭

Yep, totally legal as long as they can reach the foot pegs. Although depending on the bike I suppose the age could differ?

When was the last time you saw a motorcyclist using a mobile when driving?

It's not the motorcycle that's dangerous, it's the car drivers that don't look! I was 12 when i started riding on the back of my dads bike (when he got his licence) but he was extremely cautious and having been knocked off before, he didn't trust anyone else on the road. I agree 6 does sound young, but if they are in full gear and can be trusted to follow instructions then fine.