Wed | Oct 22, 2025

Riding for the future: Men, children, and the journey to school

Published:Tuesday | October 21, 2025 | 12:07 AM
Claudine Allen
Claudine Allen
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IN TOWNS and communities across Jamaica, it’s a familiar scene: fathers carefully balancing their children on motorcycles as they navigate morning traffic, heading to school. For many families, motorcycles are not a luxury, they are the only practical means to get children to school on time so they can secure an education for a better future. Yet, despite the importance of this daily ritual, a concerning pattern emerges – very few of these men and their young passengers wear life-saving helmets.

According to the Island Traffic Authority’ Annual Fatality Report, motorcycles accounted for more than 30 per cent of road fatalities in Jamaica in 2024. According to the World Health Organization’s Helmets: A Road Safety Manual for Decision-Makers and Practitioners, wearing a quality helmet can reduce the risk of death by more than six times and lower the likelihood of brain injury by up to 74 per cent, a sobering reminder of what’s at stake on every ride.

The reasons for non-compliance are complex. For some, helmets are uncomfortable in the heat. For others, there is a perception that short trips do not warrant full safety precautions. A 2016 study by Shishodia, Ghosh, and Singh, showed that certain helmet types, particularly non-ventilated full-face helmets, are not best for tropical climates as they trap heat and cause discomfort, leading many riders to avoid wearing them in hot or humid conditions. Additionally, many are simply unaware of the regulations regarding helmet use and there are gaps in the legislation about the use of helmets for children in Jamaica.

Although the Road Traffic Act mandates helmet use for motorcycle riders, the law is less clear regarding young passengers. This ambiguity leaves parents to make decisions that, although seemingly practical, could result in life-altering consequences for children.

Dwayne Wilkinson, a father of two young children, nine and seven, from Kingston, has been riding motorcycles for 17 years and works as a bearer. He relies on his bike as his family’s main transportation to get his children to and from school.

“It’s easier in the mornings with all the traffic; the motorcycle is the best way to get them to school on time,” he explains.

He has been taking his children to school on his motorcycle for years, but unlike many riders, he makes safety non-negotiable.

“They both have helmets; I always ensure that they have their helmets to protect them just in case of an accident.”

Wilkinson remembers how eager his children were to climb onto the motorcycle when he started taking them to school on it.

“They were excited to get on it from the start, they always saw me riding and couldn’t wait to ride too,” he said proudly.

For him, the ride to school isn’t just a commute, it’s a moment of connection and care. But he knows that a joyful morning ride can turn into danger in an instant, if precautions aren’t taken. His advice to other parents is simple:

“Just make sure they’re properly geared up for it and take your time on the ride, don’t go fast with the children.” Wilkinson said giving advice to other parents taking their children around on their motorcycle.

“It is heartbreaking to see a parent risking their own life or that of their child because they choose not to wear a helmet. In addition to being a requirement by law, wearing a standardised, certified helmet provides immense benefits,” said Claudine Allen, general manager of the JN Foundation.

Referencing a report by the European Union Safety Cube Horizon 2020 project, which summarised more than 50 years of research on the effects of wearing a helmet during a collision, she said the risk of fatal injury was reduced by up to 64 per cent, while head injury reduced by up to 60 per cent.

“Simply put, you are at greater risk of dying in a collision if you are not wearing a helmet,” she stressed.

“On the other hand, wearing one reduces neck injury up to 48 per cent and face injury up to 63 per cent. This benefit hinges on choosing a helmet which is safe and ensuring it fits well.”

The Road Traffic Act outlines that all motorcycle drivers should wear a standardised certified helmet (DOT, JIS, ECE and BSI), which are among the most accessible options globally.

“Look for the certification label on the helmet when choosing one, and be sure it is the correct size,” she cautioned, adding “Helmets suitable for children are usually visibly smaller, and labelled accordingly. They should fit snugly … a helmet isn’t something a child should grow into. At the same time, it should not be uncomfortably tight.”

The National Helmet Wearing Coalition, implemented by the JN Foundation in collaboration with the National Road Safety Council and funded by the FIA Foundation, works to improve helmet safety nationally through public education, advocacy, and community engagement. The coalition’s mission is to reduce motorcycle-related fatalities and injuries by advocating for the use of certified, affordable helmets and by driving systematic changes in helmet regulation, availability, and wearer behaviour.

Wilkinson’s example underscores the message that awareness and preparation can make all the difference. For fathers transporting their children to school, the ride is an act of love and responsibility. But without proper protection, the journey carries risks no parent should take lightly. Road safety education, combined with clearer regulations regarding helmets for children, could transform these daily rides from moments of danger into routines of safety.

“A father teaching his children to select and fit a helmet is as engaging and special as the bonding time they enjoy during the ride,” Allen suggested

“Nurturing a habit of safety as a part of parental bonding could be an experience which helps to keep children safe in other areas of their lives.”