Last night on the news they aired a story about people buying ATV's for their kids under the age of 16. They are saying how dangerous ATV's are for children riding ATVs of adult size over 90cc. Never in their news story do they show a person riding with a helmet or they never mentioned anything about rider safety courses. When I was 14 I bought a blaster. I was rather tall and would never fit on a 90cc size bike, which is a rediculous limit anyways. Now they are trying to push a law against the sales of adult size ATV's to anyone under 16. If you would like to comment on this story go to:

http://www.newsnet5.com/theinvestigator/

I posted a message on their website, but we’ll see if they post it.

As a Mechanical Engineer I would like to make a few comments on the design of ATV’s. First off the big balloon tires are a thing of the past. They were used on early designed three wheelers which had no suspension system and relied on the tires themselves for spring rates. Today’s suspension and tire designs are much more advanced. With the use of advanced shocks and struts it allows ATV manufactures to use shorter, stiff walled tires which eliminates the bouncing effect and effectively lowers the overall center of gravity of the machine for stability. It’s obvious from your story that you aren’t an ATV rider, so you have no understanding on how much fun and joy it brings to my family and friends. Riders are already facing limited riding areas, and its stories like this that will lead to the closings of more areas. Instead of doing a story about how ATV’s are dangerous why don’t you do a story on ATV safety? Your story failed to show anyone riding responsibly with a helmet. Why don’t you use your power of broadcasting and do an educational story that people would actually benefit from. Have one of you news broadcasters attend a rider safety course, which as you failed to mention is offered to anyone who purchases a new ATV. In fact, they will actually pay you to attend. Educate your viewers with correct riding styles and the latest in protective gear such as a helmet, chest protector, boots etc. By the age of 14 I was over 6 ft tall. It would have been impossible for me to fit on a 90cc machine, which is way too low for anyone of adult size. Would you like to give up your full size 10 speed for your child’s tricycle?



Sincerely,

HITTINHARD

Rider 4 Life!

 

here in nova scotia the govt just completed a study on atv's only they call them OHV (off highway vehicles) they recommend that no one onder the age of 14 will be allowed to ride an OHV and 14-15 year old must have a learners licence and to get that they must take a safety course then they can only ride within the sight of a parent or guardian that also took the safety course they also made alot of other recommendations that will restrict us

 

I also tried to post to their disscussion board. I think that is crap. I think the <U>parents</U> should be responsible for <U>anything</U> their child does. If they buy the atv, then they should be willing to take the time to teach their child how to ride or face the consequences. Now, it would be a different story if the salesperson was telling the parent that a larger quad is in no way more dangerous than a smaller quad. But that isn't the case. The salesperson even told the parent that it goes fast.