Child riding on a motorcycle

Justin726 · 01-24-2006, 05:35 PM

Had this question asked to me at work today.

Is it legal to have a child/kid (not an infant) ride IN FRONT of you when you are riding a motorcycle instead of having them behind you and holding on around your waist? Basically have the kid squeezed between you and the tank. This really applies more to the cruiser form of a motorcycle rather than a sportbike. It would be very uncomfortable for both riders on a sportbike.

Or, what if you have a normal adult driver and a normal adult passenger each in their own positions, but with a child/kid tucked inbetween them. I know I've seen a funny pic having to do with this second example, but is it leagal according to the law?

Is either of these legal? I can't really remember the drivers manual saying much about any kind of rules for passengers.

OFFICER737 · 01-24-2006, 08:23 PM

It is illegal for more than 2 riders on a bike unless it is equipped to do so. There has to be a set of pegs/seat for each rider. A bike with a sidecar would be a little different.

As for children sitting in front of the operator I think it borderlines child endangerment because the child has no buffer(operater) to protect them. I can't find the exact answer in the vehicle code to say it is legal or not. Sorry about that 1. So it might be at the discretion of each officer.

HighsideSV · 01-24-2006, 10:18 PM

When i was in kindergarden my dad used to take me to school like that. It was probably illegal, but it was a lot of fun and I thought it was awesome. I dont think one could get away with doing such things these days.