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Aladinsaneuk · #1 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Sat Mar 08, 2014 6:17 pm

My 6 year old son asked me about going on the bike with me

Is there any legal reason why he could not ride sitting in front of me?

fatboy · #2 Post by **fatboy** » Sat Mar 08, 2014 7:15 pm

Ive actually seen a Guzzi that had been adapted to carry a mini passenger in front of the rider.
It had a saddle type seat mounted off the mainframe/subframe junction and dummy bars, didnt get chance to see the footpeg setup.
The owner said it was totally legal as the passenger had secure hand/foot holds
So on a standard bike probably not so legal

Willopotomas · #3 Post by **Willopotomas** » Sat Mar 08, 2014 9:24 pm

As long as his feet and touch the pegs and is wearing the proper kit. I'll be taking my eldest (also 6) on the back in a few weeks. Am waiting for the weather to warm up a little as don't want to scare him off.. haha

BikerGran · #4 Post by **BikerGran** » Sat Mar 08, 2014 9:40 pm

The main thing is he has to be able to put his feet securely on footrests.

Personally I wouldn't want to take a six year old as they're easily distracted at that age by things they see.

Willopotomas · #5 Post by **Willopotomas** » Sat Mar 08, 2014 10:01 pm

I was five when I first rode pillion on my dads bike.

D-Rider · #6 Post by **D-Rider** » Sun Mar 09, 2014 9:45 pm

I think the "In front of me" bit is likely to be the problem.

flatlander · #7 Post by **flatlander** » Sun Mar 09, 2014 11:47 pm

As a rough guide if he"s taller than Tim reaching the pegs shouldn't be a problem

... And as he"s only six its likely that he is !

T.C. · #8 Post by **T.C.** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 9:57 am

Aladinsaneuk wrote:My 6 year old son asked me about going on the bike with me

Is there any legal reason why he could not ride sitting in front of me?

The legislation actually states that a pillion must sit behind the rider, astride the saddle with both feet on the footrests, so sat in front would be in breach, but in addition to which you could potentially end up with an additional summons for failing to maintain proper control of the bike and possibly carrying a dangerous or insecure load or dangerous condition. Although, it would be perfectly legal for the pillion to face rearwards if they were that way inclined (not recommended, but allowed for the purposes of the TV cameramen who film cycle races, marathons and so on).

There is nothing in law about the age of a passenger, just the criteria for carrying a passenger.

Aladinsaneuk · #9 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 5:13 pm

Thanks TC

I guessed that had to be a rule!

Falcopops · #10 Post by **Falcopops** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 1:01 am

I was looking into this when I was in the UK, side saddle issue, when I was made aware of the sitting astride rule, but noted the failure to mention the direction you had to face, but thought it had been amended to ensure facing forward. Perhaps not.

D-Rider · #11 Post by **D-Rider** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 9:12 am

Falcopops wrote:I was looking into this when I was in the UK, side saddle issue, when I was made aware of the sitting astride rule, but noted the failure to mention the direction you had to face, but thought it had been amended to ensure facing forward. Perhaps not.

Doubt it Dale or every televised cycle race would loose their pictures when their motorcycle film crews were pulled.

T.C. · #12 Post by **T.C.** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 9:44 am

Falcopops wrote:I was looking into this when I was in the UK, side saddle issue, when I was made aware of the sitting astride rule, but noted the failure to mention the direction you had to face, but thought it had been amended to ensure facing forward. Perhaps not.

That is why I qualified the statement about which direction the pillion faces. It is for the benefit of the TV cameramen (and women)

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Question for TC or others

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