New motorcycle passenger bill introduced in Ontario ...

[Guest BluesLover]

Not sure how many of you have seen this, but this bill got its first reading in parliament on the 27th of October. It doesn't affect me yet - my kids are over 14 and I don't have grandchildren, but my 6 year old nephew has been wanting to ride on the back and can now touch the rear pegs on the Virago ...

 

http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&BillID=2098

 

Cheers,

[BoomerCPO]

Do you folks up there have that many motorcycle related child injuries/deaths to warrant such Legislation?

 

Everyone I have seen here rides extra cautious when they have a child riding with them on a bike.

[Guest BluesLover]

Do you folks up there have that many motorcycle related child injuries/deaths to warrant such Legislation?

That's exactly the question - there has been nothing recent that would trigger this kind of bill - other than the creation of a "Health Promotion" ministry and minister (the person who tabled the bill).

 

Cheers,

[mini-muffin]

Wow they still use the term her majesty on documents. Oh sorry that wasn't the issue.

 

What made them pick 14? Sounds kind of odd. Why not 12? Is there any chance they can pass that?

 

Margaret

[Guest BluesLover]

What made them pick 14? Sounds kind of odd. Why not 12?

no rhyme or reason - kids can get their license in Ontario at 16, so picking THAT age may have made at least some sense ...

 

Is there any chance they can pass that?

Oh yeah ... if it gets into the process on goes through the various readings, it can pass. The various members of provincial parliament and this specific minister are being bombarded with emails and phone calls about how this should not pass, but ...

 

Cheers,

[loehring]

That's a rediculous bill. I know here the AMA would be fighting it in court if it was here. It's discriminatory against motorcycles and it takes away parental rights without an appropriate study on the benefits. My 13 year old daughter has been riding with me for years and loves it as much as I do. It shows you how small minded legislators can be. (That includes here in the US) Is there a group like the AMA in Canada to fight for riders rights?

[BoomerCPO]

20+ years ago a bunch of do-gooder politicians decided that bikers here needed protection and they proposed a mandatory helmet law.

 

200,000+ bikers showed up at the State Capitol to protest the proposed law. When the politicians saw that the bikers were going to be there for the entire day and possibly storm the Legislature to kick some a$$ the law went into the garbage can pronto.

 

Interestingly it was an outlaw biker named Donald(Pappy) Pitsley who organized the effort.....and every year a Memorial Run to honor him is conducted.

 

"Let those who ride decide"!!!

 

The bottom line: Politicians can and will control your life to the extent that we (the people) allow them to. Give em an inch and they will take a mile every time......

[Seaking]

Not sure how many of you have seen this, but this bill got its first reading in parliament on the 27th of October. It doesn't affect me yet - my kids are over 14 and I don't have grandchildren, but my 6 year old nephew has been wanting to ride on the back and can now touch the rear pegs on the Virago ...

 

http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&BillID=2098

 

Cheers,

 

"The Bill amends the Highway Traffic Act to prohibit driving or operating a motorcycle on a highway while a person under the age of 14 is a passenger on the motorcycle, with a view to promoting safety on Ontario's roads and protecting youth from preventable injuries. "

 

Promoting Safety and Protecting Youths (yoots).. so anyone against this law hates safety and hates kids.. shame on you..

 

In all seriousness, I hope this bill doesn't pass for you. We're lucky out here in NS where we have a larger per capita motorcycle community than any other province in Canada, so our voices are easily heard.. some of our local politician are bikers so that works in our favour.

 

Age 14? Way too high.. I can understand protecting the young ones, too small to sit safely on a bike, but 14?? Best of luck with that one!!

 

Oh gees, wait now.. that would mean I couldn't go to Manitoba with one of the kids on the bike if this bill passes? Talk about Ontario being the new "Drive past" province!

[Knees In The Breeze]

There are groups here, but it's been a long long time since the Canadian Gov has listened to what the people care about or need. As far as they are concerned let us gripe, won't make any difference.

[Jus Monkeyin Around]

So then just do not go on the highway take local streets........

[BoomerCPO]

There are groups here, but it's been a long long time since the Canadian Gov has listened to what the people care about or need. As far as they are concerned let us gripe, won't make any difference.

 

Looks to me like you riders up there need to get organized and have a Political Action Committee to look after your interests and rights.

Edited October 30, 2008 by BoomerCPO

[Seaking]

There are groups here, but it's been a long long time since the Canadian Gov has listened to what the people care about or need. As far as they are concerned let us gripe, won't make any difference.

 

Here, I'll have a talk with them for ya.. we bluenosers have a way with people

 

Port Dover, nice place.. was there in 2007 on the 13th.. =) FUN!!

[royalstarjac]

The way things are looking in the US we can expect many of the same Nanny state provisions here in the next 4 yrs! Just remember, it's for your own good, weather you know it or not!-Jack

[cowpuc]

I just cant even imagine or explain the life long memories that my children and I wouldnt have if we had to live under such oppression.. Socialist simply have no idea what happens to a people when they are withheld the God given right to live free.. Ironically, we freedom seekers here in Michigan have been fighting with our Governor (who by the way is a socialist thru and thru) for years to give us back our right to choose and she simply wont do it.. Now our own President just sold out our way of life to socialism and many people like myself believe it is going to take some very serious hard work to ever get our country back... Truely, I feel for my brothers on the other side of the border but PLEASE be rest assured - your not alone in dealing with such nonsense!

'Puc

[GeorgeS]

I don't remember the details now, but several years ago as I recall. There was an attempt in one of the states, to BAN, carrying a Dog, as a passenger.

 

Just the other day, I saw a fellow pull into a gas station with a Small dog in his Tank Bag. I thought that was neet !!!

[ahoutzer]

Wow. I would have to walk about eight miles round trip to get my son from school on Thursdays, when my wife is at work and has the van. The bus would be an alternative, but it takes the bus over an hour to get to our house over its circuitous route -- what a waste.

[Freebird]

I knew that this thread would probably turn political. Now we are already going down the road of gun ownership, socialism, etc. Let's please not do that.

[Guest tx2sturgis]

What's their definition of a 'highway'? Does that include any paved public road? Or does that only mean major arteries between towns? Just gotta wonder what the definitions are.

 

But yeah, thats highly descrimitory......if they really want to save children's lives and keep them out of the ER's, they need to ban kids from riding on (or in) bicycles, skateboards, go karts, ATV's, school buses, roller blades, razor scooters, trains, cars and airplanes.

 

 

Or so it seems to me.

 

Bad thing is, sometimes what happens in Canada happens here, and vice versa. Stupid knee-jerk politics are not limited to other countries. It can and does happen right here in the good ol USA.

 

[friesman]

"The Bill amends the Highway Traffic Act to prohibit driving or operating a motorcycle on a highway while a person under the age of 14 is a passenger on the motorcycle, with a view to promoting safety on Ontario's roads and protecting youth from preventable injuries. "

 

Promoting Safety and Protecting Youths (yoots).. so anyone against this law hates safety and hates kids.. shame on you..

 

In all seriousness, I hope this bill doesn't pass for you. We're lucky out here in NS where we have a larger per capita motorcycle community than any other province in Canada, so our voices are easily heard.. some of our local politician are bikers so that works in our favour.

 

Age 14? Way too high.. I can understand protecting the young ones, too small to sit safely on a bike, but 14?? Best of luck with that one!!

 

Oh gees, wait now.. that would mean I couldn't go to Manitoba with one of the kids on the bike if this bill passes? Talk about Ontario being the new "Drive past" province!

 

 

I hope this doesnt get passed in Ontario or anywhere for that matter. I can understand if this was very young children perhaps, but its still a parents choice to transport their kids anyway they choose.

 

If a parent thinks a bike is safe, thats where the decision should lie, NOT with a legislator.

 

Brian

[SilvrT]

sounds to me like another bored politician looking for something to do and get a little recognition (albeit BAD)... dumb, dumb, dumb... kids under the age of 14 are competing in motocross for gawd sake!

 

[loehring]

I say plan a "charity" ride past the home of the sponsor of the bill. Proceeds to go toward fighting the legislation and supporting whoever is running against him/her in the next election.

[Guest Swifty]

Socialist simply have no idea what happens to a people when they are withheld the God given right to live free.

Ironically, we freedom seekers here in Michigan have been fighting with our Governor (who by the way is a socialist thru and thru)

Truely, I feel for my brothers on the other side of the border:buttkick:

Wow they still use the term her majesty on documents.

yup, we're a constitutional monarchy running a representative democracy with areas having distinct society status...a ton of fun.

 

I knew that this thread would probably turn political. Now we are already going down the road of gun ownership, socialism, etc. Let's please not do that.

ten-HUT...gottya boss....besides how can it be getting political if Redneck hasn't posted anything yet?

[Seaking]

I just cant even imagine or explain the life long memories that my children and I wouldnt have if we had to live under such oppression.. Socialist simply have no idea what happens to a people when they are withheld the God given right to live free.. Ironically, we freedom seekers here in Michigan have been fighting with our Governor (who by the way is a socialist thru and thru) for years to give us back our right to choose and she simply wont do it.. Now our own President just sold out our way of life to socialism and many people like myself believe it is going to take some very serious hard work to ever get our country back... Truely, I feel for my brothers on the other side of the border but PLEASE be rest assured - your not alone in dealing with such nonsense!

'Puc

 

And around here, we shun a couple of bikers that take their infants on the bike with them when they go out. God bless their little hearts, the kids enjoy it, sitting on the tank, no goggles on and helmet wobbling on their heads.. hanging on for dear life..

 

But the law apparently permits this.. Funny, folks with comon sense aren't the ones these laws are directed towards, it's the other people who dwell in the shallow end of the gene pool..

[friesman]

And around here, we shun a couple of bikers that take their infants on the bike with them when they go out. God bless their little hearts, the kids enjoy it, sitting on the tank, no goggles on and helmet wobbling on their heads.. hanging on for dear life..

 

But the law apparently permits this.. Funny, folks with comon sense aren't the ones these laws are directed towards, it's the other people who dwell in the shallow end of the gene pool..

 

 

Having an infant on a scoot prolly isnt a good idea, BUT it should still be the parents choice whether to take them along. It shouldnt be up to some lawmaker or politician with nothing to do.

 

Brian

[Lynx]

I don't have any kids that young anymore but I think that the age limit of 14 is way too high. In our nieghborhood we have 12, 13, & 14 year old kids that are 5'10" and over 140lbs, thats adult size. I believe in safety for all with attention paid to kids. We don't want our kids hurt, but a little common sense goes a long way in safety. If you place a kid on your bike in front of you for a ride on the tank or on the rear seat when they can't reach the pegs "You simply have no sense at all".

 

If a kid is tall enough to reach the rear footpegs comfortably and wear the proper protective gear then take them for a ride but use common sense on where you ride. In Ontario the 400 series hwy's are not the best place for kids on any bike, half the time they are no place for bikes at all with the way the cages drive on them.

 

This new legislation will change in wording with changes to age & likely a lot of other changes.