Car Seat On Motorcycle: [A Complete Guide]
A car seat ensures the highest safety for babies and infants in the car. Riding a motorcycle with a baby is totally different than riding a car. So, can you use a car seat on motorcycle?
Well, installing a car seat on a motorcycle is possible but not recommended. You can attach a car seat using a luggage carrier rack with the back seat. A car seat base is first required to tie up with the rack. Then, just place the car seat on the base.
If you are attaching the car seat just for a short ride, I would suggest you ride on the lawn or in the backyard at a very low speed. The baby may lose balance while turning or cornering. So be careful while using a car seat on a motorcycle.
3 Reasons Why Car Seat On Motorcycle Is Not Safe: Read Now
Car seats are designed for cars, not motorcycles. You must use a car seat on a car if you are traveling with your child aged 6 years or under. Attaching a car seat to a motorcycle is not safe at all. Check the points below to know more.
1. Poor Balance
A car seat on a motorcycle will get too much shake compared with a car. It will be very tough for a child to maintain balance on a motorcycle. Turning or cornering the bike will change the angle of the bike. Hence, a child will not be able to stay balanced on a motorcycle.
2. No Monitoring
If you are placing a car seat on a motorcycle, it should be installed on the back. So, it’s totally impossible for a rider to monitor the child continuously.
You should stop the bike every time you want to monitor your child. The motorcycle mirrors won’t cover the full view of the car seat.
You won’t be able to feed your child on a car seat attached to a motorcycle, as you must check the baby while the baby eats something to avoid choking hazards.Â
3. Open Air
The car seat won’t have any covers or shade to protect the rider from sun and dust. Even if you add a cover, this will make the child feel uncomfortable. The baby may get dust in the eyes or mouth. Riding in a motorcycle’s car seat will be a total mess because of the open air.
How To Install A Car Seat On Motorcycle: Consider The Risk
Installing a car seat on a motorcycle isn’t recommended at all. If you are planning to install a car seat on a motorcycle, here are the detailed instructions. You may try it but at your own risk.
Install a Luggage Carrier:
First, install a luggage carrier rack on the rear seat of the motorcycle. Attach the rack firmly and use the existing straps of the motorcycle.
Latch Compatible Car Seat Base
Get a latch-compatible car seat base to attach to the luggage carrier rack. You can use the seat belts as clips with the luggage rack. Check the direction for the installation of the seat base and attach it to the luggage carrier as per the direction. Install the latch and check if it’s steady or not.
Install The Car Seat
Get the car seat and place it into the car seat base. You may install additional tie-down points with the base to ensure more safety. To keep the rider safe, use insulated seat covers.
Attach A Larger Mirror
It won’t be possible to monitor the child from the front seat. That’s why you may attach an additional mirror of a large size. This will help you to monitor the child from your seat.
Installing a car seat on a motorcycle isn’t safe at all. This can be done if you plan to ride with your child in the backyard or on the lawn at a deficient speed. Otherwise, it’s very risky and illegal as well.
FAQs
Can You Put A Child Seat On A Motorcycle?
Though you can put a child seat on a motorcycle, it’s not recommended at all. There is a huge risk involved in this case. It will be tough for a child to maintain balance during a ride as there will be more shaking on a motorcycle.
If you have a perfectly installed car seat on a motorcycle, you may ride in the backyard of your house at a very low speed. Don’t get on the road with a car seat, as it’s not permissible in most countries.
Can You Install The Car Seat By Yourself?
Installing a car seat requires only a luggage carrier rack and the car seat. You will be required to attach the carrier and the seat together. It’s possible to install the car seat by yourself. If you are not an expert with tools, conduct with a professional, as 3 out of 4 car seats are installed incorrectly.
Also, check the base to see if it’s steady or not. For safety, you may use additional tie-down points. The only tool required is a screwdriver to install the luggage carrier rack.Â
Where Should You Not Put A Car Seat On A Motorcycle?
The idea of the car seat on a motorcycle is quite precarious. There can be accidents if the car seat is not installed correctly on the motorcycle. A car seat should be installed on the back seat of the motorcycle by attaching a luggage carrier rack.
There is no other suitable place to install a car seat on a motorcycle. If you install the car seat in the middle of the seat, it won’t have any straps or latch to attach. Also, you will have difficulties getting on the bike.
Is It Legal To Install A Car Seat On A Motorcycle?
If you are riding motorcycle with a child, a car seat is not the solution. The child should seat on the passenger seat. Installing a car seat on a motorcycle is very much risky, and most states won’t allow that.
It can be done only in your own space. If you get on the road with a car seat on a motorcycle, you will have to pay a fine. The passenger or the baby in the car seat will be at great risk as well.
Final Thoughts
I recommend you use an Uber or car if you travel with your child. Using a car seat on motorcycle is a very bad idea. Any wrong installation will lead you and the baby to a huge risk.
Installing a car seat on a motorcycle can be done only in your backyard. Don’t ride the motorcycle at high speed if the car seat is attached to it, as safety is always the primary concern.
References
Roddy, M. (2023, February 10). RSA visiting Louth for child car seat checks. Independent.ie. Retrieved February 11, 2023, from https://www.independent.ie/regionals/louth/news/rsa-visiting-louth-for-child-car-seat-checks-42336858.html
What Age Can a Child Ride on Back of Motorcycle? [Updated 2022]. (2018, October 25). Panish | Shea | Boyle. Retrieved February 11, 2023, from https://www.psbr.law/2018/10/what-age-can-child-ride-on-back-of-motorcycle/
