Baby on Board! How to Safely Ride Two-Wheelers With A Baby

NOTE:  Before we begin, we would like to clarify that carrying a baby on a two-wheeler is very risky.  Motorcycles are open and uncovered, therefore more vulnerable to risks on the road. We strongly recommend that you consider taking your baby in a car or any other covered four-wheeler for maximum protection. 

There might be times when you have to consider taking your baby on a two-wheeler for an emergency visit to the doctor, or in certain special circumstances during which you may not find any alternative other than your two-wheeler. For such circumstances, here are some of the very important tips on the safest way to ride a bike with a baby. We strongly recommend that you plan all journeys with your baby in advance and book a cab or take any other four-wheeler for safety.  

Get someone to hold the baby 

The safest option to carry a baby on a motorcycle is to have someone sit behind you on the pillion seat and hold the baby safely, while protecting himself or herself against bumps on the road as well. The person sitting behind you must be a mature person with the ability to preemptively take steps to protect the baby from any harm. In most conditions, the baby’s mother is the best person to hold the baby and sit on the pillion seat. The pillion rider holding the baby must wear a proper safety helmet and hold the grab rail for stability.  Ideally, the person must be tall enough to place his or her feet on the pillion foot pegs. 

Outfit your motorcycle with the right equipment 

If you plan on carrying your baby on your two-wheeler more frequently, then it is a good idea to invest in a good passenger backrest with sidewall bolsters and a tall back which will add much needed comfort and safety measures to keep your child in place while you ride the two-wheeler.  

Get the right safety gear for your child 

Safest way to ride a bike with a baby or a child is to protect him or her with the safest helmet in India. If your child is above the age of 5 or 7 you can also start investing in specialty riding safety gear such as small baby helmets, small jackets for kids, boots and gloves. While you're at it, make sure that you do not invest a lot of money especially because your child is in a growing stage and will quickly outgrow the helmet and the jacket within a couple of years at most. Make smart choices that do not compromise on the safety features but are affordable at the same time.  

Training goes a long way to keep your kid safe 

Before putting your child on a motorcycle, it is a good idea to train him or her about the dangers on the road. This will mentally prepare your child about what he or she is going to experience during the ride. In many cases, children often panic under hard braking and try to escape and the pillion seat which may become a cause for injury. Make sure that you clearly inspect your child to stay seated unless asked otherwise. If you feel that your child is too young to sit on the pillion seat, have some hold them, or make them sit on front of you in between the fuel tank and the rider’s seat.  

Follow the law 

In many countries, it is illegal to carry a child other than on the pillion seat. Therefore, unless your child has reached a certain age and height, he or she will not be able to touch the foot pegs from the pillion seat which will evidently make it illegal. Know the local laws in your country before carrying your child on a two-wheeler. 

Prefer a car/auto-rickshaw until your child is at least 7 years old 

A four-wheeler is the safest option to carry your children in any weather conditions and even on long distances. Four wheelers have a lot of space for your children to move around in the back and stay comfortable whereas on a motorcycle, your child may feel cramped after a while, especially since children are impatient and lose interest in things very quickly. This might be a problem if you are considering a long ride with your kid. Based on experience, many riders prefer to take their children on two-wheelers only after they are older than seven or eight years.