Is it wise for couple's with kids ....?

[koko64]

Hussan like, Hussan liiiiike! 

GK

One of my favorite cartoons of all time.

[Desmo Demon]

BUT we will never stop riding unless circumstance dictates otherwise; we will then start flying experimental aircraft.  

We have no intentions to quit riding unless we are no longer physically capable of doing so (my wife has been riding with a paralyzed leg for six years). We just opt to very rarely ride two-up, especially while our daughter is so young....

I've been wanting to get my pilot's license and buy a plane. I vow to have my private pilots certification in less than five years and a plane in less than seven. I'll probably go with a Cessna 172 or may spend the extra bucks for a Mooney.

[somegirl]

We've only ridden two-up once since the kiddo was born, then decided it would be wiser if we ride separately for now.  With a young toddler it's not like we get many chances to anyway.

[muskrat]

I started to get my pilots license and then my wife started buying shit. 
two years and I'll finish.

[Kev M]

DD - I didn't suggest the money was a substitute, but it would certainly remove some worldly worries from their guardians.

The most important points were

A. Have excellent guardians lined up.

B. Keep working on your relationship.

C. Remember that all our "times" will come. Life is full of risk and sure you can take steps to reduce it, but at what cost,  see B.

[EEL]

I have a 2 1/2 year old kid. The minute she was "knowingly" conceived, the passenger pegs were taken off the bike. When she gets older (like in her late teens), then I'll think about getting the wife back on the bike. Until then, the mrs is grounded.

There's living life and there's being responsible. Having a kid grow up without either parent isnt. Sure there are plenty of ways we could get hurt without riding a motorcycle but its common sense that its one of the most dangerous. As a parent you do your best to reduce unnecessary risk.

Everytime you ride, you're putting your life in not only your hands/ability, but also in the drivers around you. From what I've seen on the roads of late, in my book, about 50% aren't qualified to handle an emergency scenario.

Pay attention next time you get on the freeway. You'll notice as I have that people seem to drive in clusters, akin to a zombie hoard or a school of fish. They're completely oblivious to their surroundings.

With all the distractions today its only getting worse...

We've all heard the old saying "its not a matter of if you've crashed, but when you'll crash". I consider it like a game of russian roulette. With one bullet in the revolver, the odds are actually in your favor. But does that mean you should play?  As an individual, I ride all the time, but not my kid and not my wife (on the street)

That said, if you want to ride with your family. Get a dirtbike and go trail riding. Its just as fun if not MORE fun. I think that is a acceptable way of balancing risk and reward.

[justinrhenry]

the passenger pegs were taken off the bike. When she gets older I'll think about getting the wife back on the bike. Until then, the mrs is grounded.

Seems a bit selfish.   

[EEL]

not really, my wife had fun on the bike but she doesnt have a passion for it like I do. she's just as happy if we take our bicycles on the trail behind our house and go for an evening ride.

As riders ourselves, we assume that everyone should or will love riding as much as we do. That's not always the case.

[Kev M]

Sure there are plenty of ways we could get hurt without riding a motorcycle but its common sense that its one of the most dangerous. As a parent you do your best to reduce unnecessary risk.

What I've observed is that one person's assumed "common sense" is another person's idiocy.

I'd be curious to see stats on the relative risks of motorcycling vs bicycling, skiing, scuba diving,  using ladders,  how about smoking or obesity.

Motorcycle accident statistics are heavily skewed toward inebriated and untrained riders with probably heavy influences for speed and, if they tracked it, location.

There's a huge difference between a NY, Philly,  Atlanta, or L.A. rush hour freeway and the back country roads my daughter and I ride weekly.

Gear,  experience,  and approach are hugely mitigating as well.

So it's not only not black and white, but I find it a far cry from the reactionary attitudes some express here.

Personally I also find it hypocritical for one to conclude it's NOT OK for both parents to ride,  but it's ok for the other. Those people need to exercise, avoid excessive consumption,  and generally live in a bubble because it's "unfair" to deprive a child of even one parent right?

[EEL]

I'd be curious to see stats on the relative risks of motorcycling vs bicycling, skiing, scuba diving,  using ladders,  how about smoking or obesity.

Your whole premise is based on a direct causal relationship, which is not what I'm talking about. If I climb a ladder and fall off and hurt myself because I didnt follow safety procedures, its a direct causal relationship. If I am sitting at a stop light waiting for it to turn green and I get run over from behind by a texter not paying attention its a completely different argument.

Based on this statement, smoking obesity are out. So if you want to compare apples to apples, do it right.

I'm willing to bet that there are more accidents and injuries that are no fault of the rider than there are for any of the others you mentioned.

[somegirl]

Personally I also find it hypocritical for one to conclude it's NOT OK for both parents to ride,  but it's ok for the other.

I'm not sure if this was a general comment or directed specifically at EEL, but there have been a number of us posting that we don't feel comfortable riding together because of the risk of both parents getting in an accident together, but still ride separately.

[Kev M]

Getting run over from behind is a highly preventable occurrence.  Watch your mirrors and have an escape route.

Direct causal? Not sure I agree, the whole thread is about mitigating risk no?

As for accidents,  I don't buy the term unless and act of God/nature. As far as I'm concerned the impetus remains on the biker not to become a statistic, meaning I still put the blame on the rider even if technical "fault" is on someone else.  But that strays from the point of the discussion.

Some - riding separate means both still ride and removes that couple from the hypocrisy.

[PhilB]

I'm not sure if this was a general comment or directed specifically at EEL, but there have been a number of us posting that we don't feel comfortable riding together because of the risk of both parents getting in an accident together, but still ride separately.

For a lot of people (and relating to the original question), losing both parents is worse than losing one, so riding separately mitigates that risk.  I don't think that's a big risk if you ride well and carefully, wear ATGATT, etc., but it could happen.

EEL's first post came off as selfish; HE was going to ride no matter what, but his wife was "grounded" for the duration.  He has since explained himself better, and it makes sense.

It's all about judging the risks, and doing so realistically.  Someone above had a history of hard riding, and he and his wife had each had multiple serious accidents; they might be much better off riding separately.  Others who maybe tour or live in low traffic areas, or otherwise have lower risks might judge that to be not as much of an issue.  Someone above mentioned couples who take separate airline flights because of this worry, and realistically, that's just silly.  But for each, it's their own choice, and they have the right to it.

PhilB

[Triple J]

Getting run over from behind is a highly preventable occurrence.  Watch your mirrors and have an escape route.

Sometimes, but not always.

[SDRider]

I had butter on my waffles this morning.