Every child loves to ride on a motorcycle. The feeling of freedom and flying that they experience will have them begging to take a ride again and again. Many adults fail to follow basic safety guidelines when allowing children on a motorcycle. This has lead to many deaths and serious injuries.

The single most important thing a concerned adult can do is make sure every child is equipped with a motorcycle helmet. Any child, of any age, should wear a helmet at all times when on a motorcycle. Here are a few reasons for doing so.

1) It is the Law – A large majority of states have laws on the books insisting on the use of motorcycle helmets. This is especially true for children. Any child seen on a moving motorcycle without a helmet could bring the responsible adult a large fine.

2) The Child’s Safety is at Stake – Every person’s head is susceptible to injury. However, children’s heads are at far more risk. Their heads are a little large and heavy for their bodies. This frequently causes them to fall head first. Their bones are also still growing and may be damaged easily. These factors combine to make children susceptible to motorcycle-induced head injuries. No child wants to go through life mentally impaired because the responsible adult did not insist on a helmet.

Many adults may have a hard time getting a child to put on a helmet. Few children understand or care about the safety issues at stake. They only want to look cool and be comfortable. Follow the next few tips to encourage all children to wear motorcycle helmets.

1) Make Sure the Adult Wears One – Children are born followers. If they see that the adult always wears a helmet they will want to wear one too. The adult should wear one at all times even if no children are with them. This reinforces the idea in the child’s mind that helmets and motorcycles always go together.

2) Get Fun Helmets – No one wants to wear something ugly. This is especially true of peer-conscious children. Provide them with motorcycle helmets that look cool and watch their attitudes change. Try letting them pick their own helmet out. It will prevent many fights later.

The bottom line is that each adult must be firm. No child should be allowed on a motorcycle without a helmet.