PARENTS, YOUNGSTERS & All-Terrain Vehicles
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PARENTS, YOUNGSTERS & All-Terrain Vehicles SM SM SM SM CMYK SM Foreword It is important for parents to help their youngsters or other drugs. Never carry a passenger on a single- understand and follow the instructions and warnings rider vehicle. Ride an ATV that’s right for your age. in the All-Terrain Vehicle’s (ATV’s) owner’s manual Supervise riders younger than 16; ATVs are not toys. i and on its labels. This booklet contains additional Ride only on designated trails and at a safe speed. information and guidelines that can help make Take a hands-on ATV RiderCourse and the free ATV riding a safe and enjoyable family experience. online E-Course. Visit atvsafety.org or call toll-free All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) handle differently from 800.887.2887.SM other vehicles such as motorcycles and cars. Proper The ATV Safety Institute (ASI) is a division of the instruction and practice are important. Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, a national ATVs can be hazardous to operate. For your safety, not-for-profit association representing U.S. always wear a helmet and other protective gear. distributors of all-terrain vehicles. Supporting SM Never ride on public roads – another vehicle could members are: BRP, Honda, Kawasaki, KYMCO hit you. Never ride under the influence of alcohol USA, Polaris, Suzuki, Textron Off Road and Yamaha. SM For more information contact: 2 Jenner, Suite 150 • Irvine, California 92618-3812 949.727.3727 • atvsafety.org To enroll in the ATV RiderCourse nearest you, visit atvsafety.org/reserve-your-seat or call 800.887.2887 U.S. Version • Revised 5/18 • First Printing 5/14• © 2009-2018 Specialty Vehicle Institute of America Parents, Youngsters and All-Terrain Vehicles Parents We know that you, as a parent, will have your 800.887.2887. To enroll in the ATV RiderCourse youngster’s safety foremost in mind. ATVs nearest you, visit atvsafety.org/reserve-your-seat ii are not toys. Serious injury can result from or call 800.887.2887. Those not eligible for free improper use of All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). Your training may take the course for a reasonable youngster’s safety will depend on you taking a fee. We recommend that you take advantage of “safety-first” approach to ATV riding at all times. the training programs, and have your youngster The first step in this approach is to determine perform the exercises in this booklet. your youngster’s readiness to ride an ATV. Be sure the ATV is recommended for Parents, Youngsters and All-Terrain Vehicles can your youngster’s age group. assist you in making this important decision. In addition to the information provided in this Do not permit youngsters to ride an ATV that is booklet, it is important to carefully read and larger than recommended for their age group. follow the instructions and warnings in the ATV Remember that riders under 16 years of age owner’s manual and on labels. must be supervised by an adult. If you have a youngster who is about ready to ride an ATV, ATVs handle differently from other vehicles such there are special considerations that you should as motorcycles and cars. Proper instruction and keep in mind. practice are important. The ATV RiderCourseSM, a half-day hands-on training program, is available Although a child may be of the recommended nationwide. If you purchased a new ATV, you age to ride a particular size ATV, not all may be eligible for free training. Once training is youngsters have the strength, skills or judgment completed, you may also be eligible to receive an needed to operate an ATV. You should supervise incentive. To find out if you are eligible for free your youngster’s operation of the ATV at all training, contact the ATV Enrollment Express at times and should allow continued use only if Parents... Be Cautious you determine that your youngster has the ability a responsible adult familiar with the operation and judgment to operate the ATV safely. of that vehicle, your youngster must be able iii Do not permit your youngster to operate a two- to reach the handholds and place feet on up vehicle. If you permit your youngster to be footrests from a seated position in the designated a passenger on a two-up vehicle, operated by passenger’s seat, and wear all protective gear. ALWAYS Follow the Manufacturer’s Minimum Age Recommendation Warning Label on the ATV. WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING UNDER UNDER UNDER UNDER UNDER 6 10 12 14 16 Operation of this ATV by children under the Operation of this ATV by children under the Operation of this ATV by children under the Operation of this ATV by children under the Operating this ATV if you are under the age of 6 increases the risk of severe injury age of 10 increases the risk of severe injury age of 12 increases the risk of severe injury age of 14 increases the risk of severe injury age of 16 increases your chance of severe or death. or death. or death. or death. injury or death. Adult supervision required for children under Adult supervision required for children under Adult supervision required for children under Adult supervision required for children under NEVER operate this ATV if you are under age 16. age 16. age 16. age 16. age 16. NEVER permit children under age 6 to operate NEVER permit children under age 10 to NEVER permit children under age 12 to NEVER permit children under age 14 to this ATV. operate this ATV. operate this ATV. operate this ATV. WARNING Two-up ATVs will OPERATOR UNDER have this label 16 Operating this ATV if you are under the age of 16 increases the chances of severe injury or death to both operator and passenger. NEVER operate this vehicle if you are under age 16. Parents... Be Cautious Table of Contents INTRODUCTION PART 3 iv Purpose of the Booklet ............................... 1 Operating Procedures and Practice Important Notes to Parents ........................ 1 Learning Area/Riding Area ....................... 16 Other Sources of Information .................... 1 Getting Used to the Vehicle in Motion ..... 18 PART 1 Let’s Start Riding ...................................... 21 Determining Your Youngster’s Readiness PART 4 to Ride an ATV Readiness Checklist Readiness Guidelines ................................. 2 Visual Perception/Motor Development .... 24 Steps for Safe and Responsible ATV Riding ..... 6 Physical Development .............................. 25 PART 2 Social/Emotional Development ................ 26 Pre-Operating Procedures and Practice Reasoning and Decision-Making Ability ... 28 Protective Gear and Clothing ..................... 7 FINAL NOTE Mounting/Dismounting .............................. 8 To Parents ................................................. 30 Mastering the Controls ............................. 10 Glossary ................................................... 32 Learning Activities .................................... 12 Answers ................................................... 35 Purpose of the Booklet Parents, Youngsters and All-Terrain Vehicles is provided with the vehicle. Make sure that the intended to assist you in determining if your ATV to be ridden is one that is recommended for youngster is ready to ride all-terrain vehicles use by your youngster’s age group. Review all 1 (ATVs). It also provides important safety instructions, requirements and warnings with your information and tips on learning to ride. This youngster. Find out about state or local ATV laws booklet is divided into four parts: or regulations. You and your youngster can take the Part 1: Determining Your Youngster’s Readiness To ATV Safety Institute ATV RiderCourse in your area, Ride An ATV as well as a fun and informative E-Course (three Part 2: Pre-Operating Procedures age-specific versions available) to learn basic ATV Part 3: Operating Procedures safety principles. To enroll in the ATV RiderCourse Part 4: Readiness Checklist nearest you, visit atvsafety.org/reserve-your-seat or There is information about protective gear, control call 800.887.2887. operation and starting the engine. Operating Other Sources of Information procedures include starting out, shifting, stopping and turning. In addition to the information provided in Parents, Youngsters and All-Terrain Vehicles, there are Important Note to Parents other sources of safety information. The owner’s Once your youngster is ready to learn to ride, YOU manual provides specific maintenance and must be familiar with the ATV. You will be serving operating procedures for your ATV. It also includes as teacher, coach, and safety supervisor for your warnings, cautions, and operating tips. ATV dealers youngster. You must know the controls, handling have product literature and safety information. characteristics, maintenance requirements, and Another booklet, Tips and Practice Guide for the proper riding techniques. Read and understand All-Terrain Vehicle Rider, gives detailed riding the owner’s manual, the hang tags, and labels procedures for older riders. Introduction Readiness Guidelines The first important decision you will need to position, check that there is at least three inches make concerning your youngster and ATVs of clearance between the ATV seat and the 2 is whether your youngster is ready to ride. youngster’s “seat of the pants.” A rider needs at ALWAYS follow the manufacturer’s Minimum least three inches of clearance so he/she can stand Age Recommendation Warning Label on the up for balance and comfort, and to shift his/her ATV. Physical size, strength, coordination, visual body forward, backward and from side to side. perception, emotional maturity, and the ability to reason and make good decisions are equally important considerations. There is no sure way to predict whether your child will be able to ride an ATV safely. However, the following guidelines can help you determine your youngster’s readiness to ride. Remember, only parents can decide if their youngster has the capabilities and qualities to safely operate an ATV. Physical Development Physical size and ability are important considerations. To help determine whether a youngster is big enough for a particular ATV, have him/her stand up on the footrests and grasp the handgrips.