Seems like a good idea, right? And, really, how can one argue with protecting babies and young children – it’s motherhood and apple pie. But think about this: in the event of an accident this car seat won’t be ensconced in a more or less crush-proof cabin but will be anchored to the outside of 800 or more pounds of sliding, bouncing, shredding metal, hot engine and spilled gasoline. And that’s not anything I’d care to contemplate.
Even if no disaster were to occur, proper riding gear is simply not available in those sizes. Eye protection would be compromised and any helmet would be too big and ill-fitting (to say nothing of the strain a heavy helmet puts on a still-developing neck and spine).
I know we all want to share our passion for riding with our kids but wait until they are old enough and mature enough to hold on properly, get them the best protective gear, and enjoy our great sport together, in safety. A car seat bolted to your luggage rack is not the way to go.
One would hope that is more of a joke than an actual in-use item. But when I was in Mexico and Honduras I saw two or three generations of family on a single scooter. Including one where the mother was driving with one hand and coddling a baby in the other!
ReplyDeleteWhile you have to admire the skill required I also wondered what the hell she was thinking. I guess my point is that nothing surprises me anymore!
Agreed, but even at that I'd rather have the child free to separate from the bike in the case of an accident than have them strapped to it.
DeleteCanajun:
ReplyDeleteThis wouldn't happen here in BC. We have a law that Pillions must be seated on the rear with both feet resting on the rear footpegs. If your legs are not long enough then you won't reach the pegs, thus illegal to be a passenger.
Maybe someone bought this car seat and was just transporting it home
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
Bob - We can only hope, but I expect not.
DeleteI would hope that this was just a joke or conversation starter or used for stuffed animals in parades perhaps. Shock factor maybe. I'd like to see a stuffed gorilla or teddy bear in it.
ReplyDeleteIn Oregon, like BC, your pillion has to be able to reach the passenger pegs or it is illegal for them to be on the back of the bike.
Same here in Ontario. In fact the government, a few years ago, also tried to limit the age to 14 but the legislation died when an election was called. But they got lots of negative feedback.
DeleteThere was a heated discussion on ADVrider (as if that's anything new!) about carrying children in a sidecar. Some orthopedic doctors weighed in about why it would be a horrible idea...
ReplyDeleteI agree, I hope it was just link bait or a hoax but I suspect not...
Sidecars offer a bit more protection, and the bike is more stable, but still I'm not sure it's such a good idea for small children.
DeleteIt never ceases to amaze me what people think is 'good idea'. Scary, but then we see riders who's pillion passengers aren't wearing any protective gear and the rider completely suited up. I just don't understand this type of thinking.
ReplyDeleteIt takes all kinds.
DeleteI agree that we all want to share the joys of riding with our young children but sometimes that passion expresses itself in stupid decision making.
ReplyDeleteIf you love riding and want to share it with your kids why not go trail riding? You can get outdoors, be safe fro cagers and your child can have his or her own bike, giving him or her the opportunity to build confidence AND make decisions that they are comfortable with. They do not usually get to give up-to-date feedback about how they are feeling about the ride as a passenger.
- Dave at Motorcycle Addiction
Great suggestion as long as there are safe places to ride off-road.
DeleteDamn, I thought it was for the little woman. Who would have ever put an infant on a bike!
ReplyDeleteWho indeed!
DeleteDave a few years back I cam across a family on two wheels. The father was riding a black motorcycle side car rig with a very young child in the side car. The mother was following on a Vespa, with an even younger child sitting in what appeared to be a car seat strapped to the mother, with handle bars on it. And there they were riding down Montreal's largest downtown thoroughfare in the middle of the day. My only regret was that I couldn't take a picture because I was in traffic myself.
ReplyDeleteHad I not seen it with my own eyes I would never have believed it.
You see things like that in 3rd world countries where it can possibly be excused by the severe levels of poverty and limited transportation options, but Montreal? Crazy.
DeleteLooking closely at the picture, I would say this is not for a baby, This is clearly not a one-off use where the seat has quickly been added to the back of the motorcycle. This has taken some considerable time to manufacture the support framework. The big clue for me that this is not for a baby is the yellow footrests near the back of the riders seat – babies don’t need footrests. I also cannot see any straps to hold a baby in place. I suspect this seat is for a midget and its elevated position is to allow the passenger to be able to see forward over the riders shoulders.
ReplyDeleteYou might be right. Or it could be the modern equivalent of the king-queen seats popular among the 70's chopper crowd.
DeleteI can't imagine who would ride in that seat.
ReplyDeleteNot I, that's for sure!
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