For Vespa riders, riding their two-wheeler is much more than just a means of transportation—instead, most feel an intense sense of freedom when they go on a tour with their Vespa. Sooner or later, families are faced with the question: Can I actually take my children with me on my Vespa? And if so, what do I need to bear in mind? There are clear legal regulations governing the transport of children on motor scooters. In this article, we reveal what you need to know to ensure that nothing stands in the way of a fun, legal, and safe ride with your children.
Legal information – this is what German legislation says about children on motor scooters
There is no legally prescribed minimum age for carrying a child on a two-wheeler. Rather, it depends on the size and the appropriate accessories. Children aged seven and above are treated as adult passengers. This means that in order for them to ride on a Vespa, it must have a passenger seat. There must also be footrests on which passengers can rest their feet safely without hindering the driver. A restraint system, such as a handle behind the passenger seat, increases the stability of the passenger.
Special regulations for children under 7 years of age
Special rules apply to children under seven years of age. They may only be transported in a child seat that is specifically approved for motorcycles. In addition, the Road Traffic Regulations (StVo) stipulate that the spokes of the scooter must be covered, for example by a wheel cover, so that small feet cannot get caught in the spokes.
Important: Such child seats are only approved for children up to their seventh birthday. From this age onwards, children are generally allowed to ride on a Vespa without a child seat, but only if they are tall enough to place their feet securely on the footrests and sit stably. If this is not guaranteed, they are not allowed to ride on the scooter, regardless of their age.
Accessories – with the right equipment, family trips become an adventure
If you want to take your child with you on your Vespa, it is important to have the right equipment. For children up to the age of seven, for example, the STAMATAKIS child seat for benches is a good choice. It is available in two different versions so that it fits both narrower and wider benches. What’s more, you don’t need to register this TÜV-approved child seat. It is easy to install and the integrated seat lock ensures that the STAMATAKIS child seat is also protected against thieves.
Another option is a child seat for the floor room. This is a saddle-like seat that is placed in front of the bench seat in the footwell. Your child then sits safely between the driver’s legs. Please note, however, that this type of transport is not permitted under German traffic regulations! This seat is therefore only suitable for exhibition purposes or if you are traveling outside of German traffic regulations and the respective country allows this type of transport.
For the safe transport of children aged seven and above on two-wheelers, traffic regulations require footrests, such as the Foot Pegs SIP. These are black aluminum footrests that can also be folded back when you have no passengers. Installation takes just five minutes. Thanks to their ribbed surface, SIP footrests offer your passengers maximum grip and thus contribute significantly to safety on your Vespa.
A key aspect of your child’s safety on a scooter is a suitable helmet. As you are no doubt aware, wearing a helmet is mandatory in Germany when riding a scooter with a maximum speed of more than 20 km/h. Children are of course not exempt from this helmet requirement. One suitable product is the Kid’s Helmet LS2 Funny Gloss. It weighs just 850g, has integrated UV protection, and a durable helmet shell made from high-pressure thermoplastic technology. The chin strap is also padded for maximum comfort.
Safety – these aspects must be fulfilled when transporting children on a motor scooter
Regardless of the equipment, it must be ensured in all cases that your child can hold on securely to the Vespa and follow the movements of the vehicle. Violations of traffic regulations are only punished with relatively small fines – for example, if you don’t have a child seat for children under seven, you will usually only be fined five euros – but safety should always come before driving pleasure when it comes to protecting your child.
Conclusion – kids on two wheels? But of course!
With the right accessories and the appropriate physical conditions, there is no reason not to take your children for a ride – on the contrary, little ones usually enjoy it especially when they can feel the wind in their hair. At SIP Scootershop, you can get everything you need to transport your children safely. This way, you can share your passion with your children from an early age!