| Kids just want to have fun on their ATVs | | | | pink one for the girls!b. Always make sure |
| | | | that the ATV rider is wearing his or her |
| ATV riding can be really fun and | | | | helmet. Do not let them ride on their ATVs |
| unfortunately, dangerous too, if | | | | if they are not wearing their helmet. |
| precautionary steps are not taken to ensure | | | | Wearing your protective helmet when riding on |
| that you have a safe ride - especially for | | | | an ATV could really save your "head" in the |
| kids. As adults, we know and are able to | | | | event of an accident.c. ATVs are built for |
| sense danger and yes, we even have the | | | | off road riding - so don't try to be |
| ability to avoid them (most of the time!) - | | | | adventurous and ride it on paved roads. It |
| but are you confident that your kids are able | | | | is a huge and costly mistake that you will |
| to do the same? The answer, to be brutally | | | | ever make.d. Most ATVs are designed for one |
| honest is, no, they can't. They may be able | | | | rider - that means, you do not carry any |
| to detect "danger" around them from time to | | | | passengers at all. This is a big no-no for |
| time but when they are having too much fun, | | | | ATV riding.e. Take lessons on safety riding |
| their ability to sense "danger" seem to turn | | | | for ATVs. It doesn't hurt to learn more |
| off automatically. | | | | about the safety issues of riding an ATV. |
| | | | Sign up your kids (or even yourself!) for a |
| The following are some scenes that you may | | | | hands-on safety course - you will not regret |
| have witnessed before :- | | | | it. |
| | | | |
| 1. Two boys, probably no more than 7 years | | | | Our children are precious gifts - sure, they |
| old, riding and bouncing on an adult ATV | | | | should have fun and all, but bear in mind, |
| around a farmyard. 7-year old boys are | | | | their safety and protection should always be |
| definitely not strong or big enough to be | | | | priority, even in the name of fun. Once you |
| riding on an adult ATV - one sure wonders how | | | | are able to drill the safety measures into |
| they were able to manage that machine. | | | | your kids' minds, you can have a peace of |
| | | | mind knowing that when they next ride on |
| 2. Three girls, with the oldest probably | | | | their ATVs and are having fun, they will not |
| about 14 years of age, riding on a quad on a | | | | neglect to be careful and take all the |
| paved road, totally oblivious to the traffic | | | | necessary steps to ensure their own safety. |
| around them. Doesn't it make you sick to the | | | | |
| stomach if they met with an accident? | | | | Here are some great fun ideas on ATV riding |
| | | | :-a. Riding around the backyard - this is one |
| 3. Two boys probably in the ages of 10 or | | | | great way to keep an eye on your kid while |
| less, hanging on to the ATV utility carrier | | | | he's riding around the backyard - especially |
| along the highway - and mind you, going at | | | | for beginners. Kids simply love being able |
| high speed too! | | | | to ride a machine and feel the wind in their |
| | | | faces.b. A trail in the woods - let your kids |
| In some cases, kids who were riding on their | | | | explore the wilderness in the woods with |
| ATVs were spotted doing so without their | | | | their ATVs and learn to appreciate Mother |
| helmets too. Doesn't it make you wonder what | | | | Nature too. If you think that just riding in |
| were the parents of the kids thinking when | | | | the woods isn't good enough for you and the |
| they allowed their children to go out to play | | | | kids, try camping in the woods - a family |
| unsupervised or when the parents allow their | | | | camping trip to the woods with ATVs is a |
| kids to ride on ATVs that were designed for | | | | fantastic way of family bonding. Not only |
| adult riders? | | | | will your kids be able to enjoy their rides |
| | | | on their ATVs, they also get to explore and |
| Sure, all kids want to have fun with their | | | | enjoy the beauty of nature. It's fun to be |
| ATVs - who wouldn't? But we would like to | | | | out in the sun during the day and sleep under |
| remind you that fun could lead to danger, and | | | | the stars and moon in the night once a |
| in some cases, death too, if precautions are | | | | while.c. Go ATV riding with your kids. Even |
| not taken. Here are some safety measures to | | | | though it's fun for them when they are riding |
| take when your kids wants to go ATV riding | | | | on their own, but it is more fun when parents |
| :-a. Never let a kid under 16 years of age | | | | ride together with their children. It gives |
| ride an adult ATV. There are specially | | | | a sense "belonging" and "bonding" between |
| designed youth ATVs for young riders. One of | | | | parents and children. Who knows, you may |
| such dealers is Jackel Motorsports. They | | | | even be able to pick up a trick or two about |
| have great designs for youth ATVs - even a | | | | ATV riding from your kids! |