| The ATV Safety Institute recently released safety | | | | forgetting!" |
| notes to help reinforce the first and most important | | | | There are two very important things that we can do |
| rule about ATV riding for kids - safety is number on | | | | to help our youth stay safe on their ATVs. |
| priority. ATV workshops and coaching centers are | | | | Number one, make it their habit to be safe. Like they |
| reminded to help kids and youth remember that | | | | always say, it's very hard to break a habit. The role |
| irregardless of how much fun they are having on | | | | of the parent, coach or trainer is to help them |
| their ATV, safety should be the number one priority. | | | | establish a routine and a habit to be safe. This way, |
| When interviewed about their thoughts when on | | | | even when they are tempted to behave rashly, they |
| their ATVs, most kids and youth sheepishly admit | | | | might think twice. And thinking twice cuts the |
| that their thoughts often stray from this rule. "I | | | | chances of them doing something dangerous into half! |
| know that safety is the most important thing | | | | That is half the battle won. |
| whenever I am riding my ATV but when your | | | | The other half of the battle can be won over by |
| friend's catching up from behind you or when you're | | | | providing the youth and kids with ATVs suitable for |
| being dared to take on a very difficult track, all | | | | their age. Generally speaking, kids aged 6 and older |
| thoughts of safety fly out of my head. I know it's | | | | should be given an ATV under 70cc. Kids between |
| wrong but it's sort of something I can't help", says | | | | the age of 12 to 15 can handle ATVs between 70cc |
| 17-year-old James. And 'help' is what kids and youth | | | | and 90cc while kids 16 years and above can manage |
| like James need. | | | | a 90cc ATV pretty well. When their ATVs match |
| Coaches, personal trainers and parents play a defining | | | | their skills and ability, the chances of them exceeding |
| role in helping their kids stay safe on their ATVs. | | | | the safety limit are lower. |
| They have to realize that kids and youth often | | | | Dermont, 12-years-old had this to say about his |
| forget or do not realize that they are putting | | | | parents' role in ensuring that he remains safe while |
| themselves into a dangerous position. The adrenalin | | | | riding on his ATV, "I know they gave me a 70cc |
| rush and the excitement of the moment will make | | | | ATV for a reason and sometimes I feel that it's |
| them cast caution into the air. Like what Heidi, 8, said, | | | | unfair that my friends have better bikes than me. But |
| "...it's not that I want to forget. I can't help | | | | I guess 'safety' is a pretty good reason". Well said. |