Question 2:
 
Can you direct me to any information on safety issues and measures with respect to children as passengers on motorcycles?

 
Thank you for your question from the e-Parenting Network!
 

The Canadian Institute of Child Health has consulted a variety of experts and there is a general agree that there should be a guideline or policy but that currently is not.

1. All drivers and passengers in Canada (provinces and territories), regardless of age, are required by law to wear an appropriate and properly fitted helmet while on a motorcycle. Helmets are the principal countermearsure for reducing crash-related head injuries, the leading cause of death among unhelmeted riders.
   
   
2. We also know that motorcyclists are more vulnerable than occupants of a vehicle. In a collision, a motorcyclist is four times more likely to be injured and 14 times more likely to be killed than is the occupant of a vehicle (Traffic Injury Research Foundation). Remember that when motorcycles crash they lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle (Health Canada).
   
   
3. According to the Safety Policy Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation all passengers travelling on a motorcycle on a highway must have his/her feet on the available footrests. This indicates that the child has to be a certain height so that they can be seated properly while travelling.
   
   
4. Drivers and passengers should wear protective clothing. Remember that if you were to have a collision your clothing must protect you from your riding environment.
   
   
5. You can get more information on rider and passenger safety from the Motorcycle Handbook sold at Canadian Tire or at your local licensing office.

Sources Searched:

Transport Canada
www.tc.gc.ca/

Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals
www.carsp.ca

Canadian Motorcycle Association
www.canmocycle.ca/

Ontario Safety League
www.osl.org/

Ottawa GoodTime Centre
www.ottawagoodtime.com/

Ontario Provincial Police
www.gov.on.ca/opp/

Kids Safety Awareness Society
www.kidssafety.org/

Ontario Ministry of Transportation
www.mto.gov.on.ca/

Health Canada
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/

Canadian Automobile Association
www.caa.ca/indexm.shtml

Canada Safety Council
www.safety-council.org/

Traffic Injury Research Foundation
www.trafficinjuryresearch.com/index.cfm

Motorcycle & Moped Industry Council
www.mmic.ca/

Insurance Institute Highway Safety
www.hwysafety.org/

National Transportation Safety Board
www.ntsb.gov/

Your local fire department
www.altig.net/firehouse/canfire.html

Please contact these organizations for more information.

We feel that you have flagged an area of great importance.
Between now and the live webcast for Vehicle Passenger Safety (early 2003)
we will research further this question and share the findings on the
e-Parenting Network site.

Stay tuned and safe riding!