Riding a motorcycle can be exciting yet nerve-racking at the same time. In some countries, there are more motorcycle riders on the road than those who ride sedans and other four-wheel vehicles. Some even made motorcycle riding their profession thanks to professional sports such as motorcycle road racing.
However, motorcycle riding might not be for everyone. Most motorcycles sure are cheaper than most four-wheeled vehicles. However, riding a bike can make you more prone to road accidents. The last thing you want to happen is calling a motorcycle accident injury lawyer in Denver because you or a loved one got involved in a road accident.
That dreaded moment
Just when you thought you are already safe for favoring a four-wheeled vehicle over a motorcycle, your teenage child suddenly expressed an interest in riding one. You know your child is looking forward to getting his/her license. But a license to ride a motorcycle? Well, that’s another concern you need to sort out.
As mentioned, motorcycles can be dangerous. Of course, it depends on who the driver is and how he/she is skilled in driving one. That said, it takes a lot of skills and responsibility in owning and operating a motorcycle. As parents of a motorcycle enthusiast, it is understandable to feel that familiar fear of losing a loved one because of an accident that could have been avoided in the first place.
By now, you might be asking yourself whether to give in to your teenager or not. This can be a make-or-break decision. You will need to consider a lot of factors before making that crucial decision in your teenage child’s life.
What to consider before buying that motorcycle (or not at all)
For one thing, you can expect some drama along the way. That is why you might want to consider the following before deciding to buy a motorcycle:
1. Is your teen ready to drive one?
It depends on the teenager’s age. In most countries, you should be around 16 years old be eligible to get a motorcycle license. He or she should not only know motorcycle skills but also be a responsible motorcycle owner and road driver.
2. Is he/she knowledgeable enough to ride one?
Your teenager should also know the driving basics. Likewise, he or she should know that he or she should wear protective gear when driving a motorcycle. This includes wearing a helmet, eye protection, gloves, jacket, and closed shoes.
3. Who pays for the motorcycle?
Do you have a job to pay for the motorcycle? Are you going to shoulder the expense of paying for one? Or are you and your teenager will jointly pay for it? Aside from the bike itself, you should consider the gas, maintenance, and insurance expenses that come along with it.
Every parent wants to protect their children from any unfortunate accident. But whether we like it or not, they will eventually grow into adults and make decisions of their own. At that point, we can only do so much – but we can still offer guidance in various aspects of their lives.