Sidecar seat belts...?

Seat belts are handy for securing a child carrier or a booster seat. Also handy for keeping the young ones from roaming around too much in the sidecar. *Sense* of security for an adult? Maybe. More comfortable? Maybe. Safer? Don't know.

I don't think anyone requires them, and whether or not they are needed ion a sidecar tends to spur arguments. I have found, however, that in many states if you have seat belts they must be used.
I was once ticketed for not using them in a street rod, but expect it could be enforced on a sidecar as well. Chances are the next officer would have looked the other way, but this one decided to be hard nosed. When I tried to argue in court that the car was a 1931 Ford and titled as such, the judge told me that as soon as I installed the belts, they came under the umbrella of the law and were required. I was able to beat the speeding ticket, but got fined for the seat belt violation.

I guess there are mixed feeling about the safety of sidecar seat belts - some feel it's better to be thrown out than rolled over on. Personally, I feel better having Luke belted in, even though it's just a lap belt.

For persons lacking upper body strength, a belt or harness will keep them from sustaining injuries from any sudden lateral movement or stop. Just good common sense.

Lonnie

Okay I'm sold. Any comments on how to install them?

And what about a five point harness for the kiddies?

I can't help with your installation, but want you to seriously consider a five-point harness. I think it's the way to go -- especially with young children. My lap belt is just bolted (with reinforment) through the floor of the hack behind the seat.

If you're going to put one in, I would go through the floor and mount directly to the frame of the car. The only 5 point I've ever seen in a sidecar mounted to a roll bar as well, so I'm not sure what's available for them.

Laws vary from state to state. Here, you don't have to have turn signals if not stock, but if you do they have to work. In general, sidecars are considered motorcyles- here anyway.

Seat belts are an eternal debate that will probably never be resolved. My opinion is that only dogs should be held. Otherwise, if you can't sit still, stay home. I believe you'd need a roll bar for a 5 point system?

So Ernie, I guess you'd forbid all those folks out there who have twitches and spasms from enjoying a day out in the hack! Pretty antiquated view in my opinion!

By "sit still", I mean if a passenger is likely to stand up, jump out, jam a hand into spokes, grab a hot pipe, etc. In cases like that, I may well be antiquated. I have known several... I can't say "disabled"... I guess the word might be "different" people who had various types of physical symptoms that may have brought unusual attention to themselves and/or me with the sidecar, but they weren't likely to damage themselves en route.
Tourettes, Parkinsons, Alzheimers, and deafness were some of them. And yes, when Mom's brain got so bad that she tried to stand up at stop lights, the rides were over. I couldn't imagine she would put up with being restrained.
These are just my preferences, of course. I don't begin to believe I know more about anything, except perhaps cutting hair. In that department, I'd say I'm one of the best. References are available if so desired ~ :^)

Hey, you do beards too?

I didn't mean to jump on you --- well, maybe I really did in all honesty. During the 18 years Luke has been with us, I've seen and heard about so many, many doors being closed to people with disabilities, that it truthfully bothers me a great deal and makes me angry. It seems like so many people - from $5.00/an hour aides to top government "public servants" rule whole groups of people "out" of activities because they feel (incorrectly in most cases) that because they have XYZ condition they're unable to do ABC.

I can't speak to the case of your mother, but here are two possibly relevant situations. First, I too worried at one time about Luke getting his hand in the spokes of the sidecar. Thankfully, it never happened and I found Joe ??? in Maine??? who made a fener skirt for our old Velo 700. It was great and prevented Luke from reaching the spokes. Now Luke seems to never reach out and the current hack wheel doesn't have spokes.

Situation two: this past summer my wife's brother-in-law visited us. He's in his 80's and has had a serious stroke. But being a past air force pilot, he really wanted to ride in the hack. With lots of help, we got him in and buckled the seatbelt. Upon his return (just a short ride) he said it was the most fun he's had since his piloting days.

My point: let's be VERY careful before we prevent someone from doing something that may/will give them great pleasure. Sometimes the payoff is worth the risk!!!!!

Ron (climbing off his soap box, but feeling okay about his feeling)

rON,
I think 'Joe' from MAINE is Mike Marston ...the Vicar's Toy Shop...good guy!

Ron, this is a big topic. I've been writing and deleting for a while. Rest assured I do indeed understand what you're saying, and I agree. Different situations call for different actions, I think.

I sponser Cheap and Shameless Racing. We have a patch with that around the outside and "Hair by Ernie" across the middle, and also spraypainted on the trailer graffiti style. The Indian owner has a full, grey beard. I also do eyebrows, ears and noses. Hey- I'm a (former) pro!

Geez... I had no idea this would spark an "Oil or tire thread"... All good points of view and the application is right for some situations and not for others....

We are installing a dual seat car and my wife, OB nurse, wants the Grandson in his car seat, belted in....

Yes, the Vicar, Mike Marston is a great guy...
Thanks,
Rob