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