| I had the same thoughts when my son was 16 (he's 23 now). But I bought him a lowish mileage MBX50 in reasonable condition and taught him how to ride it. We went onto the local green lanes and he quickly found out what it feels like to fall off - and he didn't want to do that again!
Sliding around in the mud teaches balance skills and gets you used to feeling when somethings not right - it' salso useful for throttle control (not that there's much on a 50 !).
After a year of using the 50, we bought a TS125 (one of the older unrestricted ones) during the time he was riding this he also took driving lessons and passed his car test. Once he realised he can take 3 of his mates in the car, the bike spent most of its time in the garage.
So although not a committed biker, he has experienced riding bikes (something that I strongly believe all road users should experience) and now only rides pillion now and wagain with me.
The most important thing is he had the choice. My wife and I supported and helped him every way we could to enable him to be safe on the roads without trying to persuafe him one way or the other. You have to let your kids grow up and make their own decisions - it's hard, but think back to when you were in the same position.
My Mum hated me having a bike, even tried bribing me with paying for flying lessons if I bought a car and used that - but to me biking had something extra that nothing else had. I don't know if I can define it even today, but the feeling of freedom rates pretty highly in there somewhere!
Nat, you describe your feelings at the age of 16, would you deny that feeling of elation and excitement to your son ?  |