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What is the minimum age and weight requirements for a child motorcycle passenger?
When I purchased my Electra Glide Classic (I have the saddle-bags, tour-pak and back rest installed) I called and spoke to a local city police officer and asked what the minimum requirements were for children to ride as a passenger. The officer told me that motorcycles are very unsafe and dangerous, especially for children. He told me that he would cite me if he saw my son riding with me on the motorcycle, even if was just around the block from my home. He said he would cite me based on the California Child Safety Seat law, which requires children under 6 years old or 60 lbs. to be in an appropriate child safety or booster seat. While he is entitled to his opinion, is it actually based on California law?
I spoke to a second officer and called two different DMV offices and was told something different: the California Child Safety Seat is not applicable to motorcycles as the seat cannot be secured to a motorcycle. Additionally, I was told that the minimum age of 6 years old or 60 lbs. did not apply to motorcycles either but rather that the child has to wear a DOT approved helmet, have the ability to hold on to the passenger grab handles or motorcycle operator and that both feet must rest on the passenger foot-pegs.
My son will be 6 years old December 11, is 47 inches tall and weighs 49 lbs. He cannot reach the original equipment rear passenger floor-boards but I installed adjustable extended-reach foot pegs that I purchased at the H-D dealer.
While on a short ride, the officer stopped me tonight with my son and gave me a warning: he told me that next time he will cite me based on the Child Safety Seat law and that age is NOT a consideration: child passengers must weigh 60 lbs. or more...
Any thoughts?
When I purchased my Electra Glide Classic (I have the saddle-bags, tour-pak and back rest installed) I called and spoke to a local city police officer and asked what the minimum requirements were for children to ride as a passenger. The officer told me that motorcycles are very unsafe and dangerous, especially for children. He told me that he would cite me if he saw my son riding with me on the motorcycle, even if was just around the block from my home. He said he would cite me based on the California Child Safety Seat law, which requires children under 6 years old or 60 lbs. to be in an appropriate child safety or booster seat. While he is entitled to his opinion, is it actually based on California law?
I spoke to a second officer and called two different DMV offices and was told something different: the California Child Safety Seat is not applicable to motorcycles as the seat cannot be secured to a motorcycle. Additionally, I was told that the minimum age of 6 years old or 60 lbs. did not apply to motorcycles either but rather that the child has to wear a DOT approved helmet, have the ability to hold on to the passenger grab handles or motorcycle operator and that both feet must rest on the passenger foot-pegs.
My son will be 6 years old December 11, is 47 inches tall and weighs 49 lbs. He cannot reach the original equipment rear passenger floor-boards but I installed adjustable extended-reach foot pegs that I purchased at the H-D dealer.
While on a short ride, the officer stopped me tonight with my son and gave me a warning: he told me that next time he will cite me based on the Child Safety Seat law and that age is NOT a consideration: child passengers must weigh 60 lbs. or more...
Any thoughts?