Each parent will have to decide how they will raise their child, teach their child, and how much risk they will expose their child to, based on their experiences and information they have at hand. This means they will have to decide whether it be car/bicycle before motorcycle, dirt before street, or no riding motorcycles until the child leaves their house, etc.
As a youth, the best experience I had to prepare me for riding motorcycles on the streets was riding a bicycle in downtown Toronto. I was even a bike courier for a while in my teens. Navigating the streets with the smallest, most invisible vehicle you learn to watch your six at all times and learn to respect the fact that a 3000 pound steel gas propelled vehicle is not to be taken lightly.
I have had my son riding bicycle with me on downtown streets, regardless if there are bicycle lanes present or not, since he was 8 years old. He now has a respect for the road, traffic laws, and larger vehicles because of the experience he has under his belt. This year my son, who is now 10, started on a smaller, low powered dirt bike and is starting to learn riding techniques that will translate well to riding a motorcycle on the streets if he should decide to pursue that when he is of age.
I feel that the more we can do to prepare our child for challenges ahead, the better. It does not mean **** won't happen, but hopefully if it does they will have the skills necessary to handle it.
As a youth, the best experience I had to prepare me for riding motorcycles on the streets was riding a bicycle in downtown Toronto. I was even a bike courier for a while in my teens. Navigating the streets with the smallest, most invisible vehicle you learn to watch your six at all times and learn to respect the fact that a 3000 pound steel gas propelled vehicle is not to be taken lightly.
I have had my son riding bicycle with me on downtown streets, regardless if there are bicycle lanes present or not, since he was 8 years old. He now has a respect for the road, traffic laws, and larger vehicles because of the experience he has under his belt. This year my son, who is now 10, started on a smaller, low powered dirt bike and is starting to learn riding techniques that will translate well to riding a motorcycle on the streets if he should decide to pursue that when he is of age.
I feel that the more we can do to prepare our child for challenges ahead, the better. It does not mean **** won't happen, but hopefully if it does they will have the skills necessary to handle it.