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Let Them Ride, Make Sure They Are Ready....Feb 16 '01 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line ATV's are a great sport and fun for the whole family. Make sure your child is ready! My sons have grown up riding Three-Wheel and Four-Wheel ATV's from a very young age. My youngest son was three years old when his dad bought him his first Honda 70 Three Wheeler. I will admit I was totally against any of my sons owning an ATV, This was something their father choose for them and in his mind, He thought it would give them a hobby and keep them out of trouble. And as usual, He was right. Each son started out with the Three-Wheel ATV's and moved up to the Four-Wheelers as they got a little older. To me one is as dangerous as the other, especially when boys like to show out, and as we know all boys have a need for speed from the day they are born. We had our share of stitches and burns and close encounters, Not really anything really serious. Our sons like to go off with their friends and ride in places they are not familiar with. My oldest buried his ATV in a pond in very cold weather and had not so many people been with him, He could have had a serious injury. The ATV landed on top of him and pinned him under the water and Four-wheeler. Friends were there to help him out, He was my most careful one. One day while doubling, My middle son and youngest decided to exchange drivers while doing about 30 miles an hour. This ended up in an Emergency room visit and stitches. I can't honestly say that as they got older, that they were more careful. Because to this day after an accident has already happened, I will hear them talking and joking about it. Boys cannot take things serious until a really terrible accident occurs. I have been very lucky nothing like this has ever happened. You can talk to them and explain the dangers and only hope and pray that they will listen and remember your words. There are several check lists you can perform to see if your child is ready to ride an ATV: 1) Your child has vision of at least 20/30. 1) Your child can judge objects in the distance. 3) Can your child determine if an object is moving fast or slow? 4) Can your child focus on more than one item at a time? 5) Can your child reach all controls with ease? 6) Does your child have enough strength to operate the controls? 7) Is your child well-coordinated? 8) Does your child obey rules set for Him/Her? 9) Can your child make decisions in the adult world(not fantasy)? 10) Can your child understand that rules are made to reduce injury? Once you have made the decision to buy your child an ATV, here are some Do Nots: 1) Do not carry a passenger under any circumstances. 2) Always wear a Helmet and Goggles that fits your head, not to big. 3) Shorts should not be worn while riding, No matter how hot the weather. 4) Boots are you best protection against leg burns, tennis shoes are not recommended. 5) Never ride bare footed or with sandals on. 6) Take a safety course with your child, offered by Honda with the purchase of your ATV. 7) Never ride on paved surfaces, The ATV will not steer properly and this is also hard on your tires and also illegal. 8) Gloves are a must in hot and cold weather. 9) Never use drugs or alcohol while riding. 10) Get familiar with all parts of your ATV before you go on that first ride. With all these precautions and warnings, ATV's can be safe and fun for everyone. There are a lot of things I'm sure I haven't covered, However for my sons this has been some of the issues. I have been riding for over 20 years and there really isn't a better sport out there that the whole family can participate in together. Now, get out there and have some fun.  |
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