Riding a motorcycle when you have kids, irresponsible?

There is no doubt that riding a motorcycle is a popular activity. More than 37 million people ride a motorcycle or scooter in India alone. But, what if you are one of those bike enthusiasts, and you become a parent? Can riding a motorcycle make you an irresponsible parent? Many lifelong bikers get rid of their machine once they have a family. But, why do they do it, and is it really the right action to take?

There may be practical reasons to sell a motorbike when a baby arrives. If you only have one form of transport, you may need to finance the purchase of a car by selling your bike.

Riding a motorcycle when you have kids, irresponsible?

This makes sense as you cannot take a baby on a motorbike. But what if you think about selling your bike out of a sense of responsibility? Does this make sense? And should you really avoid checking out motorbike sales if you are a parent?

Is riding motorcycles irresponsible parenting
Image Credit: RMJ Ltd https://www.ruggedmotorbikejeans.com/

Is it more dangerous to ride a motorcycle than drive a car?

The problem with riding a bike is that you are likely to come off worse if you collide with a car. Recent statistics from the UK suggested that motorcycle riders are 40% more likely to die due to an accident than car drivers. So, it does seem that it’s more dangerous to ride a bike than it is to drive a car.

But, this does not mean that you should think about getting rid of your machine just yet. After all, riding a cycle can also be more dangerous than driving a car, and nobody expects people to stop doing that when they have children. In fact, it’s positively encouraged. Of course, additional dangers are associated with riding a motorcycle, mostly to do with speed. But you can protect yourself against the risks and reduce the chances of your children losing a parent.

Reducing the risks of riding a motorcycle

Becoming a parent does not necessarily mean that you need to stop riding a motorcycle. You can take steps to reduce the risk of anything happening to you.

  • Wear protective clothing when you ride.
  • Consider switching to riding on dirt tracks with less chance of fatal collisions.
  • Make sure your bike is properly maintained.
  • Ride defensively, and make sure that your concentration levels are high.
  • Do not drive while you are tired or under the influence of alcohol.

These steps can help you remain safe while riding your motorcycle and not be an irresponsible parent.

Of course, accidents can still happen. You need to ensure that you are fully insured. This includes having a comprehensive life insurance policy to provide for your family if anything does happen to you.

Only you can make the final decision as to whether you want to continue riding your motorcycle after you become a parent. But, it’s not necessarily irresponsible to continue to ride. Although you should take the steps we have mentioned to reduce the risks and make sure your family is provided for, should the worst happen.