Posted on March 19, 2010.
ATV and Dirt Bike Safety for Kids A dirt bike or ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) is designed to off-road. It is actually a motorcycle equipped with light tires and sturdy suspension, in other words it can be called a 2 or 4 wheel off-road motorcycle. ATVs and motorcycles have been around since the 60s and are still booming. Children and adults need for adventure and the call for rough terrain is renewed at each generation.
ATVs are used as utility vehicle outside as in farms, hunting ... ATVs are good recreational vehicle, they are fun to remove dirt and sand dunes, there are many professionals, sanctioned off-road ATV racing. The demand for motorcycles and ATVs has increased considerably. There are many ATVs and motorcycles available at low prices for children and adults. It is now common to see young people who are seven to eight years assembling motorcycles and ATVs expertly and with ease. But the wounds caused by dirt bikes and ATVs happen very often. Studies by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission gave astonishing figures: up to 4 out of 10 people involved in ATV accidents are children under 16 years.
The primary safety rule of course is to first learn to drive an ATV or dirt bike before hitting the outdoors. The responsibility for proper training of a child to climb the mountain bike or motorcycle is with parents. The young driver must be supervised at all times riding an all terrain machine.
Law in the United States does not allow ATVs on highways and children should never be allowed to drive where there is traffic. Children should not let themselves go in person on the off-road vehicle, which is a major cause of serious accidents. It is good practice to make a complete verification of pre-race before using the ATV or dirt bike. Check tire pressure, gas level, test the front and rear brakes and lights. Please refer to their respective manufacturers ATV manual for more details.
Riding on the highway can be fatal. Ensure that children never ride without a helmet and gloves, goggles and protective equipment. It makes good sense not to do with protective equipment for other activities such as football dad gear - because the gear necessary for safe riding on motorcycles and ATVs are designed with this goal mind.
The bikes and ATVs are age specific and specific size, if seniors are well advised to purchase and improve the bike according to the age of the child. There is no rule at what age a child should be driving an ATV or dirt bike, but do not put a 4 year old child on a bike or a 110cc dirt bike 50cc. A 4 stroke 70cc ATV for kids packs enough punch for adults to have fun about it. Fortunately, most youth ATVs and motorcycles are equipped with safety devices such as:
A speed that sets the maximum speed as low as 5MPH
A plug cord that allows an adult to run with the young shoot to kill the engine (great feature for young riders)
A remote control that can kill the engine by simply pressing a button in up to 200 feet (ideal for keeping older children somewhat under control)
The question always burst, how young a child can drive an ATV? Because each child is different, it is up to each parent to decide what age a child can climb this mountain bike or dirt bike.
Remember that a child on a bike is certainly vulnerable. Riding off-road vehicles can be great fun and provide a healthy workout. To reduce the risk of injury, proper training, constant monitoring and following the manufacturer's instructions are a must.