Should this be encouraged

well i'm not a parent (yet) but i have to say the best thing my parents ever done was get me into bikes. they used to have a riding school and my big brother and sister were never too into it, but they couldn't keep me off there bikes. so they got me a moped when i turned 16 and made sure i was as safe as i could be.

it wasn't forced on me, but if they had said "No Chance" then i would in all likely hood be dead by now. when they said "No tattoos" i went out and got plenty (altho years down the line they still don't know) if they said "No Bikes" i would have got out and baught one, and not having them to teach me i would probably have went out with my mates and wrecked.

Jonboy have your daughters had much riding experience?

[ophic]

My son is 7 so i'm unlikely to face this for a few years. However I think that if i took Jonboy's approach, it might put him off biking forever. But on the other hand it might only stop him biking until he's left home - then he can learn when i'm not around to provide the benefit of my experience. If he has to learn, i'd prefer him to do so under my watchful eye.

encourage and purchase a Busa for her first bike, that way when she gets an SV she'll be able to throw it around like nothin'.

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by timwilky

Should this be encouraged?

Definately.

I can see where Jonboys coming from, parenting isn’t logical or fair, providing as parents we do what we feel is right at the time then no-one should ask for more.

I have two daughters; both are too young to start riding. I would not like them to ride and I am not actively encouraging them. However, all of us that ride for fun are passively encouraging others. We could all see the young kids eyeballing the bikes on the annual ride out. They could all see the fun that we derive from biking especially when we where all parked up in Tesco.

Should either of my daughters show a determination to start riding then I would strongly encourage the safety aspect. I would expect then to ride with the same level of caution that I do, ie. Boots, gloves, full face lid, armoured trousers and jacket, no matter the distance or weather.

Originally Posted by jonboy

Your daughter? Mine asked too, I said NO. She said so there's one rule for you and another for everyone else? and I said yes. She wan't happy. My view on this is very simple: as a parent my primary genetic role is to ensure that my offspring survive. Biking will only lessen this chance and on top of that the worry would be crippling. When she's fully an adult and is financially and legally responsible for her life then I will be powerless to stop her so I'll have to live with it if she decides to ride.

i dissagree here, i think that you should let her get a bike if she wants one. what would you do if ur son wanted one??

when she is a adult and can afford abike she might be able to do her DAS
then she could jump straight onto a hyabusa or sumit. i would make her do her restriced liance before she is 21. and sell her your sv and buy a tl

Nothing wrong with encouragement.

It's not to say you're saying 'yes you must', just 'i'm kewl with it and will help if u want to learn'.

Still her choice in the end.



The Ping from DelMonte, she say YES!

[Balky001]

I can see JB's point of view, I mean since when was parenting about fairness and democracy? It's more about learning and protection and making the right decision. But at some point you have to let go and trust your children's ability to make the right choice. Sometimes its more about losing your control/position of authority in their life than believing they can handle something you see as dangerous. But I also think it comes down to the child - some you can trust with looking after themselves, others you know will just psycho out on speed/peer pressure. I don't think there is a single decision that fits all.

If you think your daughter will ride sensiblly enough to handle being in traffic on a bike then go for it, but of course, whether that decision is right or wrong, if anything ever happens you'll probably blame yourself. But where do you draw the line in stopping them do what is legal and fun? Just make sure she knows how to ride first and then hide her keys for 3 months!

Personally I think that it is better to be under your wing than someone who you don't know and don't trust. At least you can give her advice and guidance to make the right choice for her.

It is the best thing ever did and would never turn back

I think it all depends on how well you know your daughter if you feel you can trust her to then go for it yeah you can't stop some N*b head from pulling out of a junction on her but you can help equip her with the right tools to avoid stuff like that to the best of her ability.

Originally Posted by Cloggsy

I said 'no' to encourage, but if she wants to learn give her all the help & support you can - I was told 'I couldn't get a bike' by my parents, so I went behind their back & got one anyway... Much better to be in the know, than not IMHO

Sounds Familier.. i just went out one saturday with a friend in his car and returned in the evening on a nice shiny motorbike...

My mum was not impressed, but couldnt exactly do anything considering i was there puttin it in the garage.

She still hates me having bikes now, but think she realises it aint going. The only way im gettin rid is if someone prys it out of my cold dead hands.