Ridecamp: Re: [RC] [RC] Very young riders in AERC rides

In a message dated 10/23/2002 10:45:25 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
jlong@xxxxxxxx writes:

<< Sorry, you are mistaken.  Every organization involved in a ride where
 a child is injured, including AERC, has liability exposure.  Having no
 minimum age increases that exposure, having a minimum age would reduce
 it.  Both by assuring that no accident will occur in children younger
 than the minimum, and by showing a jury that we took reasonable steps
 (along with requiring helmets, for example) to protect juvenile
 participants. >>


Ask a lawyer.  By setting a minimum age, you are implying that it is safe for 
a child of that age to ride.  If they are injured, and a jury feels it was 
NOT safe for a child of that age to ride, it INCREASES your exposure.  I may 
agree that it makes no sense, but then little in our justice system does 
these days.  I believe we should either leave it alone, or not permit minors, 
period.
Scott

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