As an avid motorcyclist, you ride your bike on a daily basis. You’ve shared your love of riding on the open road with your son, who recently turned 16. According to Florida law, he is old enough to ride a motorcycle on his own now. Nevertheless, you wonder: Is he really ready?
Some of his fondest memories occurred while on the back of your bike, including when you took those trips to Daytona Beach. He also joins you for your annual trip to Biketoberfest and loves it. You knew it was only a matter of time before the subject came up, but you’re not sure how to respond to his request.
You Know Your Child Best
Before you let your child operate a motorcycle by himself, you’ll need to evaluate if he is responsible and mature enough to safely perform the task by asking yourself these questions:
- How mature is he? Do you trust that he would take this big responsibility seriously, and does he understand just how dangerous riding a bike is? Another factor to consider is if you think he would drink alcohol and then get on his bike. If you don’t think he would refrain from engaging in dangerous activity, you may not want him to drive a motorcycle yet.
- Who will pay for the bike and upkeep? If a child is in charge of paying for the gas, insurance, and upkeep associated with the bike, he may be more inclined to take care of it and refrain from driving recklessly.
- Is he a safe driver? If your teen already drives a car, pay close attention to how he operates his vehicle. If he’s not safe when driving a car or truck, he’s less likely to drive responsibly when on a bike.
We Can Help If an Accident Occurs
You may not have been there to protect your son when he was involved in that accident, but you may be able to protect his rights by hiring an attorney. The legal professionals of Johnson and Gilbert want to help you. Contact us today to learn more.