Rap -

Short answer - Yes.

There are several parts to that answer. The computer based study CD includes written explanation and pictures and arrows (I hear Alice's Restaurant playing in my head) and there is a classroom demonstration by instructors on proper leaning and up hill egress, also there is a demonstrated ability segment to the testing program where candidates ride their quads over obstacles. Traversing a slope is the number one difficult maneuver and we have learned that this is our greatest teaching opportunity as most are not leaning correctly or understand which way is up hill. I sometimes use a couple helpers and balance the quad on two wheels to demonstrate how much more safely you can traverse a hill if you get your up-hill cheek off the seat vs. leaning with you shoulders and head.

As someone who continues to suffer from a broken collar bone I never forget to advise escaping cleanly from a bad situation and point out that they can select any 4 of the instructors to stand on their chests if they wish to know what it feels like to have the machine on top of them.

 

I do agreee with TOO many small kids ending up on a quad thats too big. And what I eman by that is the kids youy see that are 7 years old and riding a Grizzly....I personally dont agree with small kids riding these huge machines they are no where near able to fit properly on them.
On the other hand, its just too hard to put an accurate age on a quad alsl due to size of child and skill of rider....
As far as the % fatalities compared to years ago, we also need to remember the amt. of quads we now have compared to then ....[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]
I am all about safety when rec. riding or when racing I wish those riders who bring our sport down would think long and hard(referring to all the idiots with no helmets and who drink and ride) about it

 

TNT -

The reason CPSC got involved is that there is a 50% increase in the number of quads ( over some time period ending in 2003 I beleive ) but a 100% increase in injuries (same time period). One would expect a 50% increase in injury rate if there are 50% more quads - but not 100%. Therego the disproportional increase.

 

I agree, always wear a helmet and always come to a complete stop prior to chugging a cold one! Otherwise you'll spill it! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]


j/k - While I would never deny a fellow brother of a cold refreshing adult beverage, I do agree that binge drinking and quads don't go together at all. Nor does it go with any other motorized vehicle.

 

LOL.......[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Yes the numbers are up.. but I suspect many factors come in to play... and one of the biggest would be lack of formal education like what is being taught. I can't say for what goes on in your area, but here in Northern Virginia, it is damn near impossible to get a training date.. and if something happens and they have to cancel, you may have to wait 6 months or more to get another date. Now I know that fot the most part, we are talking about volunteers and having lives of their own etc... but I have waited since 1996 when I bought my first 2 quads.... and I just got in a couple of months ago, only to have it cancelled because of weather.

I also feel that kids under 12 should be allowed to get the training if they are on a mini. Let's face it, whether they are riding a 50, or an 80, the chassis are the same. And speed will be a non issue during the class. totally denying the kid isn't the answer...

So again, if I can't go that route, then it sure would be nice to have the course synopsis available so I can teach him, and learn a bit myself in teh process...

In fact, it would be a good primer for when the beginning rider does attend the course. Make both the student and a parent take the course first before attending the class. Make is a prerequisite....

It is positive changes like this that could be introduced as a means of getting parents involved, and educate both the kid and parent. Then there can be no denials, no finger pointing... make them sign that they have read it and understand the information....

That makes a heck of a lot more sense than keeping all kids under 16 from riding and having a license to ride... Maybe you could suggest that in the next meeting of the minds.

 

And THAT I cant totally agree with!!!!!

 

Gary

I would suggest you print out the several hundred posts on this topic, paste together the ideas, programs and suggestions you find in them and go bend the ear of your states law makers until one of more show some interest in supporting a bill that changes the laws in your state.

You might find support in your local or regional ATV clubs. Here in Minnesota we have ATVAM - All Terrain Vehicle Associaton of Minnesota. Checkout http://atvam.org as a example of a regional ATV organization. If you dont' have a regional organization to umbrella all the clubs in your state - start one! We have a paid lobbyist whos time is spent identifying Anti-ATV legislation buried in other legislation and also promotes positive legislation. This year ATV'rs won a major battle in rewording a previous law that banned ATV's in "marshy areas" even on private property. This change was due to the efforts of ATVAM and its members supporting our legislative lobbyist so while we worked at our day jobs - he explained to law makers one by one the error of the previous law that was passed. Well - we won. Can't argue with success. Our youth training program was also part of the ATVAM efforts at the law maker level.

I see we have trained 1800 youth in the program in the last year and have over 400 instructors certified by the DNR. Your state can do the exact same thing and your clubs can hold states like this one out as examples of being proactive on the issues.

You may not find much interest in changeing the laws for under 12 year old youth. The research studies, accident reports and history do not support putting 11 year olds on motor toys. That would be a tough nut to crack. But if you want to tackle it - good luck.

My personal opinion seems to be more of moving target on the subject. Yes some kids are likely developed enough to ride at 10. But how do we determine that? Let the parents decide? Ya - right. Thats worked out so well so far. Test them? Well, if 9 out of 100 are developed enough - you tell the other 91 they don't pass and to put their quads back on the trailer and go home. I've already had my tires slashed, harrasing phone calls, been called things that I thought were impossible and other general bad behavior. I won't volunteer for that test. You'll have "almost 10 year olds" showing up, falsified birth certificates and fathers who have drank more fluid then they have bathed in screaming in your face that 10 is unfair and there shouldnt be any age limit and F you and F this program and F the state and anybody who says they can't do what ever the F they want to do. Thanks - but I'll pass.

The point is - at 12, even the kids start to think a little more maturely and maybe this isn't all that bad and if dad starts acting out - well, thats bad on dads part and don't screw up my safety certificate.

Just an observation.

 

Yeah I know you are right... I have a lot of respect for you guys... I am just trying to figure out how to make things better... I guess my idea of utopia would be someone elses hell. I don't know what is it going to take... I know what I have done though.. I decided to buy a small fishing boat and we can be found out on the water bonding and killing worms these days...

I will still go riding with my 23 year old son... but the little guy will have to wait his turn. So far, he isn't complaining too much, but eventually he will. He has to settle for the back yard for now. When he turns 16, we will re-assess the situation. The wife has given me the green light to go ahead with the purchase of a 50, but right now, I am just disapointed enough to say it is not worth it, especially when the state is talking about banning kids under 12 from all riding...like Maryland has done... no sense in dropping 2 grand and not be able to gain any benefit from it.

The biggest downside of this whole deal is when I want to take the family on a long trip to ride out west or somewhere that will mean we have to stay for a while... we either have to change our plans or not go altogether since it is not fair for him to have to sit on the sidelines. Probably playing his gameboy or something. We talk about keeping our kids active, but things like this make it hard.

I don't condone abusing the instructors though. That is just insane....

 

If you ever want to know why you have these problems....in your own words.


Personally, I believe 90% of adults are capable of making their own decisions. And, I have never supported punishing the majority because of a minority. It's ludicrous. So in my opinion, F your program and F your state and anybody who says we can't do what ever the hell we want to do.

Borrowed but applicable.

I just assuming "F" stands for "forget"? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]