Bill 117 2008
An Act to amend the Highway Traffic Act to prohibit the driving and operation of motorcycles with child passengers
Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:
1. The Highway Traffic Act is amended by adding the following section:
Prohibition of passengers under 14 years old on motorcycles
38.1 No person shall drive or operate a motorcycle on a highway if another person under the age of 14 years is a passenger on the motorcycle.
Commencement
2. This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.
Short title
3. The short title of this Act is the Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Child Passengers on Motorcycles), 2008.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
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.
Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:
1. The Highway Traffic Act is amended by adding the following section:
Prohibition of passengers under 14 years old on motorcycles
38.1 No person shall drive or operate a motorcycle on a highway if another person under the age of 14 years is a passenger on the motorcycle.
Commencement
2. This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.
Short title
3. The short title of this Act is the Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Child Passengers on Motorcycles), 2008.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
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.
This bill was read in Ontario's House of Commons on October 27th. Ms. Jaczek moved the first reading of this bill, with the Speaker of the House, the Honourable Steve Peters saying, "Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry?" The motion was carried, and the first reading agreed to. The Speaker asked Ms. Helena Jaczed for a short statement, to which she replied, "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."
An interesting clip from CTV News can be viewed here. During the video Ms. Jaczek mentions that 50 young children were seriously injured in motorcycle incidents across Canada in 2006. Most motorcyclists take care to ensure that their children wear full face helmets, and proper gear. But in my opinion, this law doesn't take into account that many young children weigh as much as some small adults, and have the same physical profile. For instance, the young lad in the video clip is nearly the same height as his father. My daughter Katherine, who travelled on her first road trip this past summer, weighs 160 pounds and is 5 foot 4 inches, but is only 11. Currently Ontario has booster seat legislation requires children who are 40 to 80 pounds (18 to 36 kilograms) and/or at least 9 years old and/or at least 4 feet 9 inches tall to use one while travelling in a car. Perhaps the lawmakers should create regulations that reflect a height and weight restriction, instead of an age. Wawa-news is waiting for clarification under the Highway Traffic Act from the Ontario Provincial Police, as we (Marcus and I) always believed that it only required that a person's legs had to reach the footpegs.
Editor's Note: Regulation 596, subsection 10(3) of Ontario's Highway Traffic Act states: "A person who is a passenger on a motorcycle operated on a highway and who is occupying the seat referred to in clause (2) (b) shall sit astride the seat in such a manner that his or her feet are placed upon the foot rests referred to in clause (2) (b)."
This private member's bill has a number of implications beyond those of preventing responsible parents from taking their children on their motorcycles. It will also shut our doors to the small group of motorcycling families who participate in the Wolf's Head Rally who travel yearly around Lake Superior, visiting overnight in Wawa. Just how much fun might that be to be turned around at the Sault Ste. Marie Border Crossing on a family holiday...
If you are a motorcyclist, or intending to be one, and have children under the age of 14 who might just like to savor the pleasure with you, today is your chance. The second reading will happen shortly. Our Member of Provincial Parliament, Mike Brown is in Council Chambers at 11:00 a.m. today. If that is inconvenient, you can contact him at:
An interesting clip from CTV News can be viewed here. During the video Ms. Jaczek mentions that 50 young children were seriously injured in motorcycle incidents across Canada in 2006. Most motorcyclists take care to ensure that their children wear full face helmets, and proper gear. But in my opinion, this law doesn't take into account that many young children weigh as much as some small adults, and have the same physical profile. For instance, the young lad in the video clip is nearly the same height as his father. My daughter Katherine, who travelled on her first road trip this past summer, weighs 160 pounds and is 5 foot 4 inches, but is only 11. Currently Ontario has booster seat legislation requires children who are 40 to 80 pounds (18 to 36 kilograms) and/or at least 9 years old and/or at least 4 feet 9 inches tall to use one while travelling in a car. Perhaps the lawmakers should create regulations that reflect a height and weight restriction, instead of an age. Wawa-news is waiting for clarification under the Highway Traffic Act from the Ontario Provincial Police, as we (Marcus and I) always believed that it only required that a person's legs had to reach the footpegs.
Editor's Note: Regulation 596, subsection 10(3) of Ontario's Highway Traffic Act states: "A person who is a passenger on a motorcycle operated on a highway and who is occupying the seat referred to in clause (2) (b) shall sit astride the seat in such a manner that his or her feet are placed upon the foot rests referred to in clause (2) (b)."
This private member's bill has a number of implications beyond those of preventing responsible parents from taking their children on their motorcycles. It will also shut our doors to the small group of motorcycling families who participate in the Wolf's Head Rally who travel yearly around Lake Superior, visiting overnight in Wawa. Just how much fun might that be to be turned around at the Sault Ste. Marie Border Crossing on a family holiday...
If you are a motorcyclist, or intending to be one, and have children under the age of 14 who might just like to savor the pleasure with you, today is your chance. The second reading will happen shortly. Our Member of Provincial Parliament, Mike Brown is in Council Chambers at 11:00 a.m. today. If that is inconvenient, you can contact him at:
Mike Brown, MPP
Algoma-Manitoulin
5 Elizabeth Walk
Elliot Lake,ON P5A 1Z2
T (705) 461-9710 F (705) 461-9720 TF 1-800-831-1899
Algoma-Manitoulin
5 Elizabeth Walk
Elliot Lake,ON P5A 1Z2
T (705) 461-9710 F (705) 461-9720 TF 1-800-831-1899
Our family in July 2008, after completing a 6 day tour around Lake Superior.
Lots of miles, and smiles!
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Comments (5)
written by November, November 14, 2008
Maybe there should be a part on the road test that tests drivers if they are capable and able to handle having passengers, There are alot of responsible people out there that wouldn't take a chance of having a child on the bike with them unless they absolutley were certain they could handle the situation but let's face it people, NOT everyone always uses their brain. There are many people out there that take too many stupid risks, therefore lives get taken, family's get ruined and it's obviously happened enough times for parliment to think of such a Bill. There are real reasons that these bills come to be. Just because there's some riders in Wawa that feel safe taking their kids out and nothing has ever happened doesn't mean something one day couldn't possibly happen and Wawa is not the only place this Bill effects, and even though there may be some responsible drivers here there are many others in diffrent places who aren't. So please stop thinking that Wawa is the center of the universe and think of the larger picture. This Bill may save a child's life from a very stupid adult that's just thinking of taking a harmeless drive but who so very unqualified to handle a passenger.
written by c, November 13, 2008
I seriously disagree with this bill. Has anyone checked the stats to see how many children under 14 have been injured or killed as the passanger on a motorcycle? How about dirt bikes. There are children as young as 6 or 7 who ride these by themselves not to mention the ATV accidents that occur with young riders. These are not regulated. And how about snowmachines? You can be 12 and obtain a licence to operate it legally on the trails. I would rather a young person be on a street bike with an adult then on a dirt bike, ATV or snowmachine by themselves.
written by Ian, November 13, 2008
I totally agree with Rider/Parent, It's just another way to put a damper on those who ride. If the child can put their feet on the pegs, along with wearing proper safety gear, they should be allowed to ride with a responsible adult. LET THOSE WHO RIDE DECIDE!!!!!
written by ll, November 13, 2008
I agree with this bill, it should be a law under the H.T.A, there isn't enough safety to ensure the preservence of life when in an accident, I understand that as motorcycle activist you would want to share your experience with your children, however, they will have ample of time when they reach the age of 14+ to savour the experience of a motorbike.
written by Rider/Parent, November 13, 2008
Give me a break! Does Dr. Jaczek really think there are so many irresponsible parent motorcycle riders in this country that it warrants a law? Maybe she should look at the statistics of how many injuries occur from operating an ATV's and introduce a bill to outlaw them... oh, but that might be a more touchy subject, seeing as more people ride ATV's than take their kids on street bikes.
This sounds like another case of someone who doesn't ride, making a law for those that do. If this insulting of a bill is somehow passed into law, I'd like Ms. Jaczek to drop by and explain to me and my daughter why she can't ride with her parents anymore. And while she's at it, she can bring a blank cheque to compensate me for all the costs we parents have paid (including PST and GST) in aquiring safety riding clothing and modifying our machines to include the ENTIRE family in our motorcycle touring holidays.
Please Ms. Jaczek, go do something more productive with your time. House the homeless, feed the hungry, or encouarge the crippled forestry industry back to it's feet. With the economy being what it is, how many families are going to be able to afford a luxury like a motorcycle in the next few years? Let responsible parents share the motorcycling experience with their children so that the next generation of riders can grow up to be responsible and safe operators of both the two and four wheeled kind.
This sounds like another case of someone who doesn't ride, making a law for those that do. If this insulting of a bill is somehow passed into law, I'd like Ms. Jaczek to drop by and explain to me and my daughter why she can't ride with her parents anymore. And while she's at it, she can bring a blank cheque to compensate me for all the costs we parents have paid (including PST and GST) in aquiring safety riding clothing and modifying our machines to include the ENTIRE family in our motorcycle touring holidays.
Please Ms. Jaczek, go do something more productive with your time. House the homeless, feed the hungry, or encouarge the crippled forestry industry back to it's feet. With the economy being what it is, how many families are going to be able to afford a luxury like a motorcycle in the next few years? Let responsible parents share the motorcycling experience with their children so that the next generation of riders can grow up to be responsible and safe operators of both the two and four wheeled kind.
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