As reported in the last issue of Network, a campaign for the introduction of an age limit of 16 years for pillion riders, which would essentially ban children from
riding pillion on motorcycles, has been initiated after the recent death of an eight year old pillion rider in East Sussex.
The child's mother and campaign organisers have visited
the Department for Transport to hand in a 3000 signature petition which has the initial support of their local MP.
The Motorcycle Action Group, Director Of Public Affairs, says,
"As tragic as the death of any child is for a parent, the issue of whether the government should ban children from riding on motorcycles needs to be weighted against the background of
the facts and with cool heads."
MAG has therefore looked closely at this sensitive issue as well as conducting a members' survey in order to understand views on young
pillion riders. The result has been the publication of MAG's document,"Young Pillion Riders: Should they be banned?"
The young pillion issue has been raised on a number
of occasions in Parliament by MPs, the answers by respective ministers set out clearly the legislation and regulations that covers the physical size and strength of pillion riders and who is
responsible for pillion riders' safety. Enabling the police to apply the law through the Road Traffic Act, Regulations for Construction and Use and the Highway Code.
If we look at
the risk factor relating to young pillion riders, in 2003 two pillion passengers under the age of 16 were killed in motorcycle accidents. MAG regards the existing legislation to be adequate.
The death of a child is indescribably sad and MAG offers its deepest sympathy to the parents of the young pillion rider who lost his life, but unreasonably restricting the mobility of
families is not justified by the scale of the problem.
Notes:
1.
Local newspaper reported that the eight year old (Sean) was a pillion passenger on a 750cc Honda which was in a collision with a car, the rider of the motorcycle was a friend of his father. The child's parents did not know that he was on the motorbike or that he was
wearing an ill-fitting adult's helmet.
2.
The Department of Transport in its response has stated that "It's a tragic occurrence that Sean was killed, but a, very rare one. We have no plans to change the law".
