Happy and Safe Memorial Day

Play hard. Ride safe.

For the ATV community, Memorial Day marks the official beginning of the riding season. Parks and trails open, good weather starts to arrive and the desire to shred becomes a fever pitch.

Each year we like to remind the community at large to have fun out there and to be safe; not just today but every day of the riding season ahead. As always, here are some tips from the CPSC to keep in mind every single time we ride:

CPSC warns all ATV riders, young and old, to make this holiday weekend and the rest of the riding season safer by following these basic rules of the trail:

Do not allow children younger than 16 to drive or ride on adult ATVs.
Always choose an age-appropriate ATV for your child.
Never allow a child younger than 6 on an ATV – either as a driver or passenger.
Do not ride on a single-rider ATV as a passenger or carry a passenger if you are the driver.
Always wear a helmet and protective gear when riding ATVs.
Do not drive ATVs on paved roads.
Take a hands-on safety training course. This is especially important for young or first-time riders.

To learn more, visit ATVSafety.gov.

CPSC also urges drivers and passengers of recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) to keep safety in mind during this riding season. Also known as side-by-sides, ROVs have a steering wheel, bench or bucket seats, seatbelts, foot controls and a rollover protective structure (ROPS).

ROVs have been associated with more than 170 deaths over the past 10 years. Rollovers have caused severe injuries and death, even on flat, open terrain.

CPSC encourages ROV drivers and passengers to follow these guidelines:

Always fasten seat belts before moving the vehicle.
Never transport passengers who cannot place both feet on the floorboard with their backs against the seat.
Never carry more passengers than there are seat belts and never carry passengers in cargo beds.
Never drive an ROV unless you have a valid driver’s license.
Wear a helmet and other protective gear; ensure that your passengers wear theirs.
Do not drive ROVs on paved roads; ROVs are designed to be operated off-road.
Drive only in designated areas, at a safe speed, and use care when turning and crossing slopes.
Keep all parts of your body inside the ROV.