Boy wants to go for a ride - I'm apprehensive (legal, infant) - Children, problems, school, daycare, behavior, age, teenagers, infants - City-Data Forum

ValueAddedWorker · 05-20-2011, 10:47 PM

Today I returned home riding my motorcycle - I finally took it out of storage and right away a bunch of little kids came running up to me fawning all over the bike..2 little girls and 1 boy. The boy was really excited, told me it's his birthday and really wanted to sit on my bike. In fact he was so persistent, he just hopped on (after I had turned off the engine and removed the key of course). You should have seen the grin on his face.

So as he sat on it, he begged and begged for me to start it up so we could twist the throttle and go vroom vroom! Considering the noise and potential danger of the bike suddenly taking off if the kid popped it in gear, I wasn't going to take my chances. He also wanted me to take him for a ride, even 20 feet to my patio...but ideally around the block. He was in shorts and sandals and definitely not dressed, nor did I have protective riding gear and a helmet for him, not to mention the fact his parents were nowhere to be found. I live in multi story row housing and this all happened in the alley behind the buildings. Now mind you, kids often ride their bicycles and play there, plus the community seems pretty tight knit, so talking to neighbors down the street seems the norm here.

Now the thing is, as persistent as the little boy was for a ride on my motorbike, there is no way I was going to agree to it...no matter how short of a ride he suggested. He wasn't dressed for it (I wear complete riding gear), I don't know him beyond meeting him tonight, his parents' weren't around and frankly I don't want to take the responsibility of looking after the safety of the child on the back of my bike. He's 10 years old and who knows how much he's been exposed to motor vehicles (he claimed to have ridden with his cousin on his dirt bike and ATV..and that his dad is a mechanic...)but you know how little boys are...they tend to boast and make up stories.

The little boy asked where I lived and wouldn't let up! Ha, soon I'll have a child knocking at my door begging for rides...well luckily I'm looking to move in the next couple of months and maybe sooner with a plan to rent a garage space soon, so that shouldn't be a problem for long. Still, how would you address the situation? Ask the cousin to introduce you to the little boy's parents and discuss the issues? The safe and I suppose responsible action to take would be to refuse the child a ride. But maybe it's not so bad and a little 25 mph tour around the neighborhood, provided permission is provided and the child is properly dressed for it, is doable. Still, if he gets injured or worse, I would be faced with potentially awful legal dilemma.

Thoughts?

no kudzu · 05-21-2011, 05:14 AM

don't do it under any circumstances. of course he is gonna persist. he is a kid but you are right, you would be extremely 100 percent liable for any damages even if the parents agreed. and where would it stop. if you gave him a ride then all the other kids would want their turn. and in this litigious society you would be risking your entire future by giving into this kid.

i also suggest you are never put in a compromising position with this kid or any other. don't ever be alone or inside with one or a bunch. i may sound paranoid but i just read a story about a kid who got ticked at a coach for some little thing and claimed he was molested just to get revenge. the coach's whole life has been turned upside down. you just can't be too careful. sad but true.

reebo · 05-21-2011, 05:45 AM

What no kudzu said.

misplaced1 · 05-21-2011, 05:54 AM

I wouldn't do it unless I knew the family well.

cleasach · 05-21-2011, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ValueAddedWorker

Still, how would you address the situation? Ask the cousin to introduce you to the little boy's parents and discuss the issues? The safe and I suppose responsible action to take would be to refuse the child a ride. But maybe it's not so bad and a little 25 mph tour around the neighborhood, provided permission is provided and the child is properly dressed for it, is doable. Still, if he gets injured or worse, I would be faced with potentially awful legal dilemma.

Thoughts?

I see the OP is branching out to this forum now. What situation? What issues are there to discuss? You said no as you should have. End of story.

Parents: what would you say if a stranger knocked on your door and said "hi there. Your ten year old wants me to take him for a ride on my motorcycle so I wanted to introduce myself. Is this ok with you?"

Hedgehog_Mom · 05-21-2011, 06:59 AM

There's a man on my street who takes his infant (too young to sit up) for rides around the block on his motorcycle. I can't look and have to go in the house when I see them coming...if he kills that baby, I don't want to see it happen.

Anyhow, about the original situation, it's a bad idea. Even if the parents say yes, it's a bad idea. And you don't want all the little kids on the block hanging around your bike when you're not out there...what if they knock it over on themselves? Just tell him he needs to be 18 to ride a motorcycle. By the time he's 18, he'll probably have moved or you will. Of course it's cool that he's interested in motorcycles too, but so what? My five year old is really interested in my hobby--shooting--but that doesn't mean it would be safe for her to do it.

Magritte25 · 05-21-2011, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by no kudzu

don't do it under any circumstances. of course he is gonna persist. he is a kid but you are right, you would be extremely 100 percent liable for any damages even if the parents agreed. and where would it stop. if you gave him a ride then all the other kids would want their turn. and in this litigious society you would be risking your entire future by giving into this kid.

i also suggest you are never put in a compromising position with this kid or any other. don't ever be alone or inside with one or a bunch. i may sound paranoid but i just read a story about a kid who got ticked at a coach for some little thing and claimed he was molested just to get revenge. the coach's whole life has been turned upside down. you just can't be too careful. sad but true.

Blah. More marginalization of males in our society.

no kudzu · 05-21-2011, 08:20 AM

not at all. Just the realities of life in our society today. What? you think it doesn't happen. All it takes is one child to whisper an accusation and true or not it has to be investigates. legal fees, time, energy are just the beginning. I didn't say I like it but it happens.

stan4 · 05-21-2011, 08:22 AM

No. If something happens to the kid, even if the parents told you to do it, you will be EFFED.

Tell the kid he can go with his own father/mother. Then he'll go pester them to go learn to ride a motorcycle.

cleasach · 05-21-2011, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by no kudzu

not at all. Just the realities of life in our society today. What? you think it doesn't happen. All it takes is one child to whisper an accusation and true or not it has to be investigates. legal fees, time, energy are just the beginning. I didn't say I like it but it happens.

I think it's a stretch to bring up molestation when the kid asked for a ride on a motorcycle. He's a kid, he thought it was cool. He's probably seen them on TV and it seemed like it would be fun.

The fact is that it's dangerous and inappropriate for a stranger to even think about approaching parents and asking them if they can give their kid a ride on anything. Not because the person is a potential predator, it's simply a safety issue and he's a stranger.