Guess I am the odd “man” out. My husband is an experienced rider, with over 20 years under his belt. How do you think he got that much experience? He started as a teen.
He spent his childhood being carted around on his parents’ cycles. They would pack their saddlebags, Mom and Dad would each put a boy on the back of their bike, and they would go for long family trips and vacations that way.
As soon as he was able to get his permit, his parents started teaching him to ride. They knew how to ride safely and responsibly, so they wanted to make sure they were the ones to teach him how to do it right. They also required him to take a MSF safety course. I cannot stress the importance of that for beginning riders.
He was responsible enough that his parents let him ride his Mom’s bike to school the year we were seniors. The only time I remember him getting in trouble was when he thought he would impress his new girlfriend by giving her a ride home on the back of it (yes, he brought a helmet for me!) and Mom came home early and caught him pulling up. Boy did he get it that night, because he was not allowed to have passengers yet! I think, behind the scenes, though, they were secretly chuckling. Especially his Dad…
I think the bike did get taken away for a couple of weeks after that.
My husband commutes over 30 miles (one way) to work every day on his bike, rain or shine. Yes, people think he is crazy, but he loves it that much. It’s therapy for him. When his last bike got stolen, before we got the insurance settlement, he was borrowing his Mom’s car. He told me that riding to work on four wheels was bumming him out!
Yes, there is risk. Yes, there are stupid people who don’t pay any attention. My husband’s instincts and ability to read driver behavior are so honed and fine-tuned from all his experience that he sees things coming. When we are in our van, and I am driving, he will warn me, “That guy’s gonna do X in a minute,” and every single time, he is right. He sees things I don’t. He sees things before I do, and I am attentive. No one is perfect, and some stuff is unavoidable. He has been in accidents caused by stupid drivers. He has been injured, though never seriously, thank God. He considers the risk worth it for the enjoyment and gas savings we get over him using a car. He would rather live with some risk than play it safe his whole life and die of boredom, or get creamed by a bus walking downtown without having had any fun. “When it’s your time, it’s your time. When it’s not, it’s not,” is what he says. P.S. He is also military, so I am sure that affects his outlook.
If my child were 16 and really responsible, I would allow him or her to have a motorcycle under the following conditions:
*No engine over 250 CCs. No beginner needs anything more than that.
Dad teaches you the basics and you take both the MSF basic and advanced courses.
You always wear your helmet, and if we catch you riding without it, you never ride again while you live in our house. No shorts or flip flops. No passengers until Dad determines you can carry them safely (or license is unrestricted, whichever comes LAST).
Dad has absolute power over whether you ride or not. He judges your skills, discipline, and commitment to safety. If he thinks you lack in any area, he will revoke your privilege to ride and only he can give it back, if ever.*
I think not allowing a child to ever do anything risky just because it is risky is not a wise policy. WG, I saw in some older threads that your son played football. He could have gotten a deadly injury in that sport, or brain damage, been paralyzed. If you would let him play tackle football, I think you could let him ride. As long as he has an experienced, knowledgeable rider to supervise and teach him.
A few of our family and friends second your motions, just was curious how you all felt too. Okay, the car it is…I agree with all reasons listed from weather to danger. The people drive like nuts in Florida, even a car can be hazardous 
but safer than a bike, no doubt.
*
lol
…I yes, I drove my family’s station wagon…brown and totally ugly…for the first year. No accidents or tickets? I could get a mustang…and I did, a used one…I thought I was so cool…until we moved to Boca Raton when I was a senior, and I drove up the first day…and there were kids driving masseratis??? (is that even spelled right?) 