| A dirt bike or an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) is meant | | | | refer to the respective ATV manufacturer manual |
| to ride off-road. It is in fact a lightweight motorcycle | | | | for complete details. |
| equipped with rugged tires and suspension; in other | | | | Riding on public roads can prove fatal. Ensure that |
| words it can be called a 2 or 4 wheel off road | | | | children never ride without a helmet and wear gloves, |
| motorcycle. ATV’s and dirt bikes have been | | | | eye protection and protective gear. It is good sense |
| around since the 60s and are still thriving. Kids and | | | | not to make do with protective gear meant for |
| adults thirst for adventure and the call to rugged | | | | other activities such as daddy’s football gear - |
| terrains is renewed with every generation. | | | | because the gear required for safe riding on dirt bikes |
| ATV are used as outdoors utility vehicle such as on | | | | and ATVs is designed with that purpose in mind. |
| farms, hunting… ATVs are good recreational vehicle, | | | | Bikes and ATVs are age specific and size specific, so |
| they are fun to rid on dirt and sand dunes; there are | | | | elders are well advised to buy and upgrade the bike |
| many professional, sanctioned off road ATV races. | | | | according to the child’s age. There is no rule as |
| The demand for dirt bikes and ATVs has drastically | | | | to what age a kid has to be to ride an ATV or dirt |
| increased. There are many ATVs and dirt bikes | | | | bike but do not put a 4 year old on a 110cc ATV or |
| available at cheap prices for kids and adults. It is now | | | | a 50cc dirt bike. A 4 stroke 70cc ATV for kids packs |
| common to see youngsters who are seven to eight | | | | enough punch for an adult to have fun on it. |
| years old mounting dirt bikes and ATVs expertly and | | | | Thankfully most youth ATVs and dirt bikes are |
| with ease. But injuries caused by riding dirt bikes and | | | | equipped with safety controls such as: |
| ATVs happen very often. Studies by the US | | | | A speed governor that sets the maximum speed as |
| Consumer Product Safety Commission have come up | | | | low as 5MPH |
| with stunning figures: many as 4 out of 10 people | | | | A corded plug that allows an adult to run along with |
| who are involved in an ATV accident are kids under | | | | the youngster and pull to kill the engine (great |
| the age of 16. | | | | feature for very young riders) |
| The primary safety rule of course is to first learn | | | | A remote control that can kill the engine by the |
| how to ride an ATV or Dirt Bike before hitting the | | | | press of a button within up to 200 feet (great to |
| outdoors. The responsibility for properly training a | | | | keep little older kids under control) |
| child to ride ATVs or dirt bikes lies with the parents. | | | | As for the ever-popping question, how young of a |
| The young rider must be supervised at all times while | | | | child can ride an ATV? Since every kid is different, it |
| riding an off-road machine. | | | | is up to each parent to decide what age a child can |
| The law in the US does not allow ATVs on freeways | | | | ride what ATV or dirt bike. |
| and kids should never be allowed to ride where there | | | | Remember that a child on a bike is definitely |
| is traffic. Children should not be allowed carry anyone | | | | vulnerable. Riding vehicles off road can be very fun |
| on the off road vehicle; this is a major cause of | | | | and provide a healthy workout. To reduce the risk of |
| serious accidents. It’s a good practice to make a | | | | injury, good training, constant supervision and |
| complete pre-ride check before using the ATV or dirt | | | | following the manufacturer’s instructions are a |
| bike. Check the tire pressure, gas level, test the | | | | must. |
| brakes front and rear as well as the lights. Please | | | | |