Ahh yes the history of ATV's, CPSC and the guidelines... You know the deal on the 3 wheelers.. what many may not know is that the guidelines were drafted by the big ATV manufacturers.. presumedly as a way to avoid the many lawsuits they were facing. The CPSC initially did not want anything as drastic as this, but it sort of was forced upon them. Their hearts at that time were in the right place, and they may have fit the situation then, but they are way out of date with reality today. What many of us are trying to do is interest the CPSC into a review and re-write of the guidelines to better fit today's environement.

Enter the real evil ones... the environmentalists that really want to limit access to public lands to just foot traffic... Anything with an engine, is bad juju as far as they are concerned... They found that they could use the CPSC guidelines against us. They also took it upon themselves to ally the entire medical industry to their cause, and they have every doctor, emergency room etc reporting every accident that involves an ATV to them.

They also have some deep pockets due to showing cow-eyed animals in dire straights and asking you to give them a dollar..., that allows them to tug the ear of legislatures in every state and Washington DC. They often are the only "EXPERTS" that appear before subcommitees that are drafting legislation to control or limit accesses to public lands, and as a result they have presented data that many consider only scarcely accurate, and extremely biased. The predictible result is land closures... They are fighting us in every state, in every category they can, and they have the money and organization behind them to achieve excellent results. They also have the media completely in their pockets.. again because there is nobody standing up and calling them liars.

The reported statistics do not point out that many more injuries occur to children on Bicycles every year... and you don't hear them crying for them to be outlawed either... remember, they don't have an engine. Add in the pure idiocy that many with testosterone and going through extended puberty display in their riding... and total disregard for the health, safety and environment they ride on today.. and the inability to fathom that there are consequences that we all will suffer from their antics.. and you end up with the situation we have today.

Much of the cause is lack of involvement by people who have a responsibility to make sure the next generation has the proper training, is capable of making rational decisions, and who will work with the powers that be to ensure we even have a sport in 10 years. I hate to think that I am giving up on the current teen to 20-ish generation... but I am only one person.. and I am concentrating my efforts on growing the youngest members just coming online. Not that the middle aged riders are lost causes, but I think the most impact that can be made right now is in the young guns. If the middle boys are interested.. I am sure they can find ways to make a difference on their own... we stand by to help and work with them if they choose.. but right now... I don't see the big interest past going faster and flying higher... with no thought about being able to ride tomorrow...

It is very easy to get discouraged.. but age has proved to me that perserverance wins out, more often that not...

 

I am in total agreement with your statement's. I just have my hand's full with all the environmental BS in my fine state of CA. Like I said before I only have enough energy for so many fight's. I applaud your dedication to the future of quad's/youth and from what I have read here you are doing it right.
I did just hear that Gov. Arnold has been looking at way's to cut our liberally overloaded budget and is thinking of wiping out CARB( calif. air recourses board) Let me tell you if that happens the whole country can rejoice. These people have done more damage to OHV use in this state than anyone. I wish I had more time to ramble but my CNC mill need's a human right now and I have to go.

 

DRAGGINBUTT,
And just when I felt like I was the ONLY other guy that felt like you?

Thanks for a great report and be ASSURED,im also doing what I can in Michigan to feed OUR side of the ATV story.

Bill
ATV Safety Institute-Instructor
Michigan ATV Safety Assoc-Director/Instructor
Bombardier 2-Up Insrtuctor

 

Came across this today. It is a new course being offered to public schools to promote safe ATV riding. Brought by the same people who do the weekly reader program... I tried to delete most of the HTML tags.. Sorry if I missed a few


Curriculum Stresses Early Education for Students in Grades Five through Twelve WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Lifetime Learning Systems, Inc. announced today a new nationwide education program,
Protect Yourself. Protect the Planet., to promote all-terrain vehicle (ATV) safety and environmental- friendly riding. The 2004/2005 educational program will include the distribution of 20,000 sets of classroom materials -- a teacher's guide, a student activity booklet, a parent take-home brochure, and a classroom poster -- to middle schools and high schools in specific geographic areas with high ATV use across the country. The materials are designed to help educate families, students, teachers and community leaders about ATV safety and how to be environmentally-friendly riders. The program, funded by the major ATV manufacturers, builds upon a similar successful educational program implemented in 2000.
"We are pleased to be partnering again with the major ATV manufacturers on this important project," said Terry Bromberg, President, Lifetime Learning Systems, Inc. "Since the popularity of ATVs has been increasing steadily, the need to promote both rider safety and riding in a manner that protects the environment has become all the more important. With the support of the major ATV manufacturers, our education program will help millions of kids -- and their parents, teachers and community leaders -- understand the importance of riding ATVs safely and respectfully." In Spring 2000, Lifetime Learning Systems, Inc. distributed thousands of "Ride Right" materials on ATV safety that reached approximately four million students and nearly one million parents. The 2004/2005 Protect Yourself. Protect the Planet. program has the potential to reach 12 million children and adults. In addition to being distributed in schools in mid-November, the colorful materials will be posted on company and trade association websites, and will be distributed at community events, to youth organizations, and to law enforcement officials. The major ATV manufacturers supporting this effort include American Honda Motor Co., Inc., American Suzuki Motor Corporation, Arctic Cat Inc., Bombardier Recreational Products Inc., Deere & Company, Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., Polaris Industries Inc. and Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. The Protect Yourself. Protect the Planet. program includes materials that stress key safety issues such as:
One size definitely does not fit all -- youth riders should be on ATVs between 50cc and 90cc, depending on age
* Always wear helmets and other protective gear
* Do not take passengers on single-operator ATVs
* Read the owner's manual
* Always be supervised by adultsAdditionally, this program emphasizes the protection of the environment with tips to be an eco-friendly rider such as:
* Stick to the trails that have been developed in an eco-friendly manner
* Make sure that your ATV meets local noise ordinances
* Don't litter
* Don't trespass
* Report inappropriate behavior, damage to natural resources and any hazards you may encounter to local officials or park rangers

WRC Consumer and Custom Publishing Group includes the custom educational publishing company, Lifetime Learning Systems(R) (Lifetime). Lifetime is the recognized leader in developing unique educational programs customized for sponsors such as corporations, nonprofit associations and government agencies that want to cost effectively reach target audiences through established channels. WRC Consumer and Custom Publishing Group is part of WRC Media Inc., a leading publishing and media company that creates and distributes innovative supplementary education materials for the school, library, and home markets. In addition to WRC Consumer and Custom Publishing Group, WRC Media's operating companies include AGS Publishing, CompassLearning(R), Weekly Reader Corporation, and World Almanac Education Group, Inc., which together market some of the best-known brands in educational publishing.
Source: Lifetime Learning Systems, Inc. CONTACT: Mia Toschi of Lifetime Learning Systems, Inc., +1-203-705-3481

 

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From a "positive" ATV safety increase & promotion perspective, I love this new program. I think it's a great idea - especially since it's being funded by our ATV industry.

On the other hand, I can see some flack coming back on this one. For example... Why is our base "limited learning time" such as math, geography, science, grammar, etc. being shortened for this course??? Especially from the parents who hate ATVs and who would NEVER purchase one for their kid / young adult.

Perhaps if our schools taugh this ATV course as an "after school" course or as an "elective" course, then it might be accepted with less flack. Especially from the folks who hate quads / motocross units. If wondering, I took a "water navigation course" as one of my college electives. I loved that "life enriching course" and still teach some of the basic skills to each of my kids today. A course that was "outside my norm" that dramatically increased my life's skills.

Sure hope this course is introduced in such as way that it doesn't make our sport look bad. And, if it reduces accidents, reduces speeding tickets, cleans up our environment and creates a more positive image in the long run, then "let's go for it!!!" If it does this without some "tree hugger" stopping it, then it is well worth it...

Just my 2 cents...

.

 

Im afraid that this safety course ''might''not have ''hands on'' training as part of its cirriculm?Which mean that the students only sit in a classroom and dont actually ride an ATV.If this is what it is,than they are wasting time IMO.The DNR are doing this in the State of Michigan right now and these classes are a JOKE at best.Many instructors dont even know the laws themselves,some dont even ride a quad,some NEVER rode a quad.And the instructors were IMPROPERLY trained to even instruct these classes.

For a ATV safety course to be proficient and successful,it MUST incorporate BOTH classroom AND Hand-On training!

 

Well Dragginbutt, I now feel guilty for my last 2 ohv purchases, KTM/ Yamoto, Neither one of them are "helping". OK guilt is gone. No seriously that is pretty impressive to say the least, and also great evidence for your side of this discussion. 2 problems with it from where I sit. First why is all this needed for quad's qnd not dirt bikes? Second if the liberal minded school system is in charge of this we are screwed. I am involved in my last year with the public school system (youngest boy is a senior this year) and I am thoroughly disgusted with 95-97% of all the so called higher educated people in that system. The liberal a-holes have no problem spewing their "opinions" in the class room. While the very few conservatives are scared to even let anyone know how they vote. So I guess it seems like a good effort, however IMO the wrong people will be distributing it.

 

You guys are missing the point... the course is doing two things. One, it is constructed in a way that incorporates ecology, and attitude adjustment with regard to the environmental damage that CAN, and I emphasize the word CAN be the result of ATV usage. The hope being that new riders will show some regard for the environment.

Secondly, the course may over time change the the public's negative view towards ATV's in general.

This program can go two ways.... and I sincerely hope this is not going to get twisted against us again... but it shows that the industry is fighting back and addressing the environmental issues at the source. No longer can the enviro-machine say that we are not doing anything about the environmental damage that we are supposedly causing. I see this as a way to pull that argument out of the mix... and it being a positive thing.

As for taking away from teaching.. Nah.. the kids are getting instruction about the environment already, I see this as a new way for teachers to explore the subject... get the environmental issues out in the open, and do it in a positive light that highlights responsible actions on the part of ATV enthusiasts. Let's face it, we don't have a skills problem with the sport, we have an attitude issue by a small percentage of riders...

Perhaps by reaching out in another way, we can reduce the damage they do, and change a lot of perceptions of lawmakers at the same time. I also think that this program has the potential of opening up new funding sources to build more ecological friendly riding areas etc.... this could be BIG...

We need to get on this train and see where it can take us.... You have to love preemptive politics...

 

ah, but you miss the genius of the whole deal... The industry assisted in putting it together... so personal slant is hard to interject when facts are presented in print. I don't see it affecting a kid's thought process about owning or riding an ATV... but if it can make him think about the impact that act has.. it has succeeded. I see the biggest gain coming from the industry countering the legal argument that the enviro's have used for years. They ARE actively involved with resolving envirnmental issues with this program... Plus, the enviro's HAVE to work WITH the industry now.. or they will be seen as hypocrites....

 

I am still concerned about what will actually happen in the classroom, if we are not there, we wont know. If this is taught by a science teacher it is over. And since when have Environmental Wackos ever had a problem with being a hypocrites? Dont get me wrong I am encouraged by the effort I am just worried about how it will be presented. I have spent way too much time in my kid's school system to be encouraged by anything they will handle.