Kids Protective Clothing:
Kids, just like us, need protective clothing when they ride. Fortunately, many leather companies who design biker clothing, have decided to market some excellent quality leathers for children to wear.
On the bike it's important for the children to wear long pants (denim, leather pants or chaps), long sleeved shirts (flannel, denim or any thick material, along with leather jacket), leather gloves (NOT fingerless for the young ones please), sturdy boots or shoes, and a approved helmet, which is properly fitted. We have helmets approved (for D.O.T. standards) helmets - D.O.T. only for the kids! While these can be purchased here at New Style Leathers, they're also available at many sources including biker swap meets, local bike shops and leather shops.
Eyes:
Either sunglasses or some type of safety glasses (your Childs prescription glasses work, but make sure they are plastic - unbreakable). However, the advantage of sunglasses is evident to us. For long rides they'll need protection for the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can be very harmful to unprotected eyes. It's estimated that nearly half our total lifetime UV radiation exposure occurs before age 18. Exposing our eyes when young is known to be a major factor in the development of eye cancer. Look for plastic lenses that are shatter-resistant and block near all of Ultraviolet rays.
The Ride:
Pegs are set for adultsand need to be adjusted according to your kids height. If you can, fabricating some adjustment to fit the height of your passenger, is the ideal solution. Floorboards are set for a normal height passenger. They are definitely not set for riding your kids around.
Laying down the law:
Most often, kids who are raised in a motorcycle riding family learn that riding a bike means being in sync with the machine and to ride with the bike. Still, its important they are made aware of the main factors of riding:
Always holding on to something - preferably y-o-u!
Keep seated flat on the seat - no peg standing!
Follow the motion of the bike - no swaying or sudden shifting!
No holding hands up playing "catch the wind"(that's for us...uhhhh...adults)
Stay Awake! Your child needs to let you know before going on the nod!
Once you feel your child is comfortably prepared to ride safely you might consider mini-bikes of some type. If you enjoy riding cross country, nothing can be more enjoyable than sharing a trek with your kid(s) in beautiful biking terrain.
Enjoy your kids and help them learn protection. But mostly...give thanks!!
