"What happens if the 5 year old is in a car accident? "
Ever heard of state laws requiring safety seats? In California, car seats are mandatory up to a certain weight and height...AND then age. I expect that such tightening of the laws for children in cars will continue...So...your point is immaterial.
I DARE you to try to convince a judge and/or jury that a motorcycle is as safe as a car in a court of law against a competent attorney. Not bloody likely.
"Gets bitten by a dog?"
Typically, if a child is bitten by a dog that is known to bite, said dog is put down...and the owner may be subject to civil or criminal prosecution. Now, if said dog is something like what has happened in Houston, pit bulls in a group or two...dogs are put down and owner may be in jail...
" it's a question of a father making a decision. "
AGAINST the wishes of the Mother...who probably has majority custody. In any case, ANY parent that makes a potentially life or death decision without consensus of the other parent is in most cases being insensitive...and probably irresponsible.
"There is nothing inherently unsafe about riding on a motorcycle in spite of what many profess."
Riding by oneself...debateable... Riding in an urban environment...WRONG. Take a look at posts that talk about the "cagers" that almost or did take a rider out. I NEVER go out for a ride in Houston where I don't have at least one SUV that does something truly stupid...one reason I don't go far into town.
"if the father was out speeding and stunting or doing other dangerous and / or illegal things, the mother would have a valid concern."
In YOUR estimation. However, I doubt you could find too many in Children's Protective Services or in a legal field that would agree. Basically, if a marriage is intact, this is a BIG marital problem (but then, aren't a large number of child-rearing issues). However, in a situation with a divorce and custody issues, it becomes a legal issue.
All it takes to have a really big problem is for the ex with majority custody to take it up with her lawyer. Without too much effort in most states, he could end up with a restraining order stating that his visitation rights would be revoked should the child get within 50 feet of his motorcycle.
The ex has court ordered rights. In many cases, the rights of the father are severely limited. It really doesn't matter what he may think as to child-rearing once there is a judge and a lawyer or two in the mix.
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