PARENTS

It’s Your Decision

One of the first questions parents need to ask themselves is whether their child is old enough, big enough, and mature enough to handle an ATV. You know your child better than anyone and you are best suited to evaluate your child’s readiness to ride an ATV. ATVs are not toys, and your child needs to understand that.

Are They Ready?

The ATV Safety Institute in the USA has developed an ATV Readiness Checklist to help parents evaluate whether or not their child is ready to learn how to ride an ATV. There is no sure way to predict whether your child will be able to ride an ATV safely. Only you as the parent can decide if your child has the capabilities and qualities to safely operate an ATV

The decision is yours. The ATV Safety Institute makes no suggestions as to how many of the abilities outlined in the ATV Readiness Checklist are necessary, nor the degree of ability that your child should have.

For more information about evaluating your kids, order the ASI publication Parents, Youngsters and ATVs.

If you decide your child is ready to ride an ATV, make sure they are on an age-appropriate vehicle. Every ATV made by our Members comes with a warning label with the manufacturer’s minimum age recommendation. Find it. Know it. Enforce it.

Did you know there are 5 different types of age categories?

For adults, there are sport and utility ATVs, and for younger riders there are three different categories. The youth categories are designed for smaller hands and feet, and travel at slower speeds appropriate for their age.

Every ATV made by our Members comes with a warning label, clearly stating the minimum age of the rider. Not sure where to look? This label is affixed so it can easily be read by the rider when seated in the proper operating position.

Find it. Know it. Enforce it.

before they ride

If you are going to train and supervise your child, you need to prepare yourself first! The best thing you can do for yourself and your child is to take an ATV RiderCourse. Even better, take an ATV RiderCourse with your kids. You’ll have a great time together and you will show by example safe ATV riding skills.

To start, make sure you are familiar with the ATV your child will be using. Read the Owner’s Manual, take note of any warning labels on the vehicle, and familiarise yourself with the controls so that they are second nature to you.

Next, put into memory the ATV Safety Institute’s Golden Rules:

Always wear a helmet, eye protection, long sleeved top, long trousers, over-the-ankle boots, and gloves.
Never ride on paved roads except to cross when done safely and permitted by law – another vehicle could hit you. ATVs are not designed to be operated on-road.
Never ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Never carry a passenger on a single-rider ATV, and no more than one passenger on an ATV specifically designed for two people.

As a parent, you need to set a good example of ATV safety

Only you can help your child ride sensibly and safely. Setting some ground rules for when they can ride their ATV is a good idea and it will reinforce the serious nature and responsibility that comes with ATV riding.

You should:

Control access to the ATV keys.
Only allow children to ride after they have demonstrated they can follow direction.
Do not allow your child’s friends to ride your child’s ATV without their parents’ permission and your supervision. Remember, only the parent of the child can decide if their child is ready to ride.
Do not let anyone ride your ATV unless they have completed formal ATV training; this includes adults.
If your child looks tired or physically fatigued, don’t let them ride their ATV.
If you decide it’s time to ride, only let your child mount their ATV if they have all their gear on.
If you have other ATVs that are intended for use by adults, don’t let your child play on the vehicle, even if the key is not in the ignition. It’s not a toy.
Every ATV made by our Members comes with a warning label, clearly stating the minimum age of the rider. Find it. Know it. Enforce it.

Are they ready?

ATVs are not toys, and your child needs to understand that.

It’s Your Decision

Did you know there are 5 different types of age categories?

ATV Safety Labels

Why is this so Important?

ATV Readiness checklist

before they ride

As a parent, you need to set a good example of ATV safety

Read our Parents, Youngsters & All-Terrain Vehicles booklet