Should I buy my daughter a scooter / moped?

diable

space_rider wrote: »

I work in a trauma theatre. I strongly advise against buying her one. Help her with the costs of driving lessons if she insists on having her own transport.

Maybe thats the idea,

Daughter... I want a Scooter
Dad.......... over my fcuking dead body
Mum intervenes, say you'll pay for her driving lessons and will buy her a car.
Daughter's Mates, Told you it would work, mugs them off big time init ;o))

tbourner

At the end of the day you know your daughter better than any of us, we can all tell stories of how we've died on a bike and you'll be in A&E within 10 mins, the simple fact is if she rides sensibly, wears correct gear and NEVER rides when tired or after a drink, it's not really any more dangerous than walking/driving/getting the bus.

Wear the best gear you can afford, try to make it as highly visible as possible.
Make sure you stay warm in winter, slightest hint of cold will make you lose concentration, bikers are worse than drunks if they get cold and wet!
Keep your lights on all the time.
Be confident and control your space on the road, don't allow yourself to be bullied.
Don't ride with things on your mind or if you're angry etc., you need to be focused constantly, it should be tiring riding a bike/scooter for long periods if it's not, you're not paying enough attention!

diable

tbourner wrote: »

At the end of the day you know your daughter better than any of us, we can all tell stories of how we've died on a bike and you'll be in A&E within 10 mins, the simple fact is if she rides sensibly, wears correct gear and NEVER rides when tired or after a drink, it's not really any more dangerous than walking/driving/getting the bus.

My best mate was sensible and the driver who was sober and "didn't" see him pulled out from a side road and "took" him out safety gear did not help him and after four days his Family had to turn off the life support machine.

paddedjohn

you cant keep them wrapped up forever, the sooner they learn the better. in a few years time she may need a scooter to comute to work and the experience gained now will be invaluable. all forms of transport involve risk but this can be minimised by good training and careful driving/riding. let her do her cbt first and see how confident she feels afterwards and if you do get her a scooter then make sure you get her the best protective gear you can afford and good high vis jacket/vest.

peachyprice

tbourner wrote: »

At the end of the day you know your daughter better than any of us, we can all tell stories of how we've died on a bike and you'll be in A&E within 10 mins, the simple fact is if she rides sensibly, wears correct gear and NEVER rides when tired or after a drink, it's not really any more dangerous than walking/driving/getting the bus.

Wear the best gear you can afford, try to make it as highly visible as possible.
Make sure you stay warm in winter, slightest hint of cold will make you lose concentration, bikers are worse than drunks if they get cold and wet!
Keep your lights on all the time.
Be confident and control your space on the road, don't allow yourself to be bullied.
Don't ride with things on your mind or if you're angry etc., you need to be focused constantly, it should be tiring riding a bike/scooter for long periods if it's not, you're not paying enough attention!

A big ask for a just turned 16yo, don't you think?

pompeyfaith

A big ask for a just turned 16yo, don't you think?

No I don't think so 16 yr olds are more forward thinking than we was, scooters/motorcycles are not the problem the drivers are and with that only the OP can judge.

Like a few here have said without scaremongering if the training is undertaken the right protective gear is worn and the ride treats the traffic with respect and rides within his/her means I am sure the experience will be fine.

Yes they can be dangerous but so can anything with an engine, it is knowing and learning how to respect them.

peachyprice

It doesn't matter how forward thinking a 16 yo is, no amount of training or protective gear is going to protect them from other drivers.

For me, my childrens lives are just to precious to take that risk just so they can be like their friends.

space_rider

You have to ask yourself how you would feel if she died or had a serious injury and you were the one that bought the bike. It's not that long ago that a boy died after crashing into a lamp post not far from where he lived. According to someone who knows the parents, he was bought the bike and died on the day it was bought.

The statistics for young drivers having accidents are high enough driving cars.

space_rider

diable wrote: »

Maybe thats the idea,

Daughter... I want a Scooter
Dad.......... over my fcuking dead body
Mum intervenes, say you'll pay for her driving lessons and will buy her a car.
Daughter's Mates, Told you it would work, mugs them off big time init ;o))

Maybe. My 3,older daughters were bought driving lessons when they were 17 and 2 of them were bought cars by their father when they passed their test.

paddedjohn

a lot of people are having a go at the safety of scooter riders, ive had scooters for 20 odd years and had no accidents. the way people are going on its a wonder we go out of the house, ive see plane crash,s but i still fly, ive seen trains crash but i still travel by train and ive certainly seen car crash's but i still drive, good training and good equipment is what is needed regardless of age.