Originally Posted by supcom
Allowing a 14 year old to ride 23 miles, mostly in the dark, in rush hour traffic would not be the most responsible thing to do. Sorry, bassplayinbiker, but if you were my kid, you'd be known as bassplayinbusrider. No sense having two family members in the hospital.
If this is actually a 2.3 or a 2-3 mile commute then I would consider it depending on the route, neighborhood, traffic, maturity level, etc.
I rode 2-3 miles to school in elementary school, when I was 8 years old (through 5th grade, when I was 10, and never had a problem). I think you're underestimating the abilities of a 14 year old.