| A dirt bike or an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) is | | | | as well as the lights. Please refer to the |
| meant to ride off-road. It is in fact a lightweight | | | | respective ATV manufacturer manual for |
| motorcycle equipped with rugged tires and | | | | complete details. |
| suspension; in other words it can be called a 2 or | | | | Riding on public roads can prove fatal. Ensure that |
| 4 wheel off road motorcycle. ATV's and dirt bikes | | | | children never ride without a helmet and wear |
| have been around since the 60s and are still | | | | gloves, eye protection and protective gear. It is |
| thriving. Kids and adults thirst for adventure and | | | | good sense not to make do with protective gear |
| the call to rugged terrains is renewed with every | | | | meant for other activities such as daddy's football |
| generation. | | | | gear - because the gear required for safe riding |
| ATV are used as outdoors utility vehicle such as | | | | on dirt bikes and ATVs is designed with that |
| on farms, hunting… ATVs are good | | | | purpose in mind. |
| recreational vehicle, they are fun to rid on dirt and | | | | Bikes and ATVs are age specific and size specific, |
| sand dunes; there are many professional, | | | | so elders are well advised to buy and upgrade the |
| sanctioned off road ATV races. The demand for | | | | bike according to the child's age. There is no rule |
| dirt bikes and ATVs has drastically increased. | | | | as to what age a kid has to be to ride an ATV or |
| There are many ATVs and dirt bikes available at | | | | dirt bike but do not put a 4 year old on a 110cc |
| cheap prices for kids and adults. It is now | | | | ATV or a 50cc dirt bike. A 4 stroke 70cc ATV |
| common to see youngsters who are seven to | | | | for kids packs enough punch for an adult to have |
| eight years old mounting dirt bikes and ATVs | | | | fun on it. Thankfully most youth ATVs and dirt |
| expertly and with ease. But injuries caused by | | | | bikes are equipped with safety controls such as: |
| riding dirt bikes and ATVs happen very often. | | | | A speed governor that sets the maximum speed |
| Studies by the US Consumer Product Safety | | | | as low as 5MPH |
| Commission have come up with stunning figures: | | | | A corded plug that allows an adult to run along |
| many as 4 out of 10 people who are involved in | | | | with the youngster and pull to kill the engine |
| an ATV accident are kids under the age of 16. | | | | (great feature for very young riders) |
| The primary safety rule of course is to first learn | | | | A remote control that can kill the engine by the |
| how to ride an ATV or Dirt Bike before hitting | | | | press of a button within up to 200 feet (great to |
| the outdoors. The responsibility for properly | | | | keep little older kids under control) |
| training a child to ride ATVs or dirt bikes lies with | | | | As for the ever-popping question, how young of |
| the parents. The young rider must be supervised | | | | a child can ride an ATV? Since every kid is |
| at all times while riding an off-road machine. | | | | different, it is up to each parent to decide what |
| The law in the US does not allow ATVs on | | | | age a child can ride what ATV or dirt bike. |
| freeways and kids should never be allowed to ride | | | | Remember that a child on a bike is definitely |
| where there is traffic. Children should not be | | | | vulnerable. Riding vehicles off road can be very |
| allowed carry anyone on the off road vehicle; this | | | | fun and provide a healthy workout. To reduce the |
| is a major cause of serious accidents. It's a good | | | | risk of injury, good training, constant supervision |
| practice to make a complete pre-ride check | | | | and following the manufacturer's instructions are a |
| before using the ATV or dirt bike. Check the tire | | | | must. |
| pressure, gas level, test the brakes front and rear | | | | |