What is the proper protocol?

[UncleRico]

The recent horific accident over the weekend in which one ATVer died has proven to be a catalyst for thought to many of us.

In reading your posts, I've noticed a common theme...


We all tend to see people riding, be it of lesser skill, or without proper gear, or beyond what we would deem safe operating abilities from time to time.

What is the proper protocol when you witness this?

I dont' have any kids (at least that I know of), and I wonder what the proper protocol is for approaching people and basically telling them "how they can ride"?

I mean, I'd like to promote the safety within the sport, but would it be crossing the line for me to tell your kids how to ride?

Your thoughts, please.

[gery350]

well as a parent i would appreciate it if i was told that my son was acting careless.
(regardless of what it is).

now some people dont see it that way. they may get offended and i believe that is what makes us
think twice before approaching someone.

now if the parent is witness to whats going on then it would depend on the vibe i get from them.

[VForcedave]

Thats a tough question. You may get the wrong guy (or gal in your case) that will decide its none of you business and want to kick your azzz for putting in your 2 cents. Its not the kids. This starts at home. Parents set the example and the rules. If the parents are boneheads OR not present to witness the acts, then it is, what it is. That Sheriff was killed in that Charity Bus Race. You just do not know. Good question. My heart is real heavy today as well for those parents. I am a parent and once in a while I break my own rules and my boys will let me know. This is real hard.

[snowmanzz13]

i'm one of these kids who doesn't wear all of the protective gear, i usally where a helmet, and i know that if somebody were to stop me while riding to tell me how to ride, i would be very, angry and somewhat mad at that person, so the best way to tell someone is to set the example, i've been wearing my helmet and pants with pads alot recently only because i ride with others who also do, so i felt "out of the circle" when ridin in shorts and a t-shirt. so the best i can really say is leed by example, i kno i'm underprotected but thats in my hands. Well thanks for reading my two cents on this hard to address topic and i hope i helped in some way shape or form

[Chuck_Norris]

How are you going to get the word out , by word of mouth. As many can recall at the rodman 4 ride I took one heck of a spill. if it were not for the gear I was wearing I am certain far worse would have occured. As far as Promoting Safe riding your going to have a hard battle, no one wants to be told what to do, depending on the personallity, character and approach that is made will result in the reaction you will receive, you will always have someone out there with the absolute disregard for our sport from lack of riding gear to careless riding and not to mention being a good steward of are riding areas. Are we to be the Police? nah in most cases people just do snot care to involve themselves or want to avoid a possible confrontation, who knows that fella your trying to talk safe riding to might just pull a gun or want to fight you for what ever reason. Lets not forget that Stupid hurts and when mixed with alcohol it becomes a deadly combination. Safety starts with you/us providing a good example to those around you. Her is something to consider I carry from time to time Bible Tracks as a witnessing tool for Christ. OK OK before all you God haters start bashing me think of the concept instead of a witness for GOD, be a witness for safety and safe riding just hand out a simple track with some safe riding tips and be on your way.  then again there is the thought of a T.V. commercial on the air to campain & promote riding safe. I know asphalt dragon is very talented. How about some sort of video clip on our home page that promotes the cause. just my $.02

[UncleRico]

Just out of curiousity, what is "Bible Tracks"?

Chuck, if you could save me, they'd probably give you automatic saint hood. I'm the lost cause of all lost causes.


I agree with Chuck on the video, or possibly some links to some safety courses, etc.

[logger]

If you know this persons  parents, then you can try to approach them, but hind site is 20/20. Knowning what I know now, even if I did know the parents, I would not try it.

If you are both riding, then you might stop the kid approach him, and start talking about his machine, how nice it is, you really like it. Don't show authority don't come off as one who has authority. Ease into the conversation about what you really want to say to him. You might want to hand him 10 rules of safe riding, and walk away. 90 percent of the time they will listen to you, because you are one of them. The approach you use to them will tell them who you are, and how to behave.

[Thrumud]

At the Ft Myers OHV meeting, the committee agreed to do a PSA (Public Service Announcement) on ATV safety. They will broadcast this throughout the state of Florida. They will be contacting Chris (Asphaltdragon) in the weeks a head to have him film and edit the 30 second clip.

Also the committee wants to pass a 3 hour mandatory course for anyone under the age of 16.  This will apply to anyone under the age of 16 who wants to ride on public land (legal OHV parks)

More of this will be discussed at the January 18th meeting in Ocala. Please try to attend.

[SomBch]

Its obvious the only thing one can do is wait till said person or persons wraps there self around a tree, at that time I think it would be proper protocol to dial 911 for them.

[PREDOCROSS]

I think Logger hit it right on the head. Thats probably going to be your best approach.

[raptor]

Thrumud - Sometimes I wonder about burecratic wisdom, isn't ATV trainning done at local ATV Shops. They can pass the mandatory safety course, but will it be monitored even on public lands? I thought that wasn't going to happen till next year, and would that have stopped what happened in Ft Myers the other day. The ATV's are easy to ride, and with a young kid there is always a need for speed. You and I were both there via car, motorcycle or whatever, it just so happened we survived, but I have friends that didn't survive. If the safety course I beleive the state is going to put this on, it should be for free. Again the people who are going to make this work are you and I, Uncle Rico, and the rest of the ATV communittee.

Let do something here, I need everyones help. Stewards of the land will do a flyer on safe tips, I need everyone to print a few off their printers and put them on the counter of local ATV Shops. Maybe this will be two fold, get the local ATV shops on board, and maybe get a few kids to listen. Give Stewards of the Land a few days, and I will post it on this website. Just a few hours of your time, that is all.

Joan (Raptor)
Stewards of the Land

[Rotaxian]

My kid races gokarts on a national level and we do quite a bit of traveling.  Our Club clubminimax.com paid and assisted in the design, manufacture and implementation of chest protectors for all junior drivers.  For a while, many of the parents resisted the purchase and use of them.  A couple of our members bought a bunch and we gave them out.  I realize the gear exist already, but our approach to the parents was what Logger was talking about.  Approach, befriend, suggest...


Be an ambassador and protect the kids.

Be safe

[GrizzlyBear]

The Grant that ONFA has benn approved for, but who knows when we will get, as it is coming from the govt. is for exactly this purpose.  We will be first giving the safety course to anyone who wants to volunteer to be a Trail Ranger, they in trun will be patrolling the trails in the ONF making sure that satefy is the number ONE concern.  Next we will be giving the safety training to ALL under 16 year olds that want to come take it.  It will be at the OHV Center and will be based on the SVIA safety Course.  The first requirement for that course is that they ride an atv of approved size.  If the are 6-12 years old - under 70cc, if they are 12-16 years old - under 90 cc.  ATV's over that size are only for 16 and over.  Starting July 1, 2008, you will only be able to ride on public lands if you are under 16, if you have the safety course and ride the atv sized for your age.

[logger]

Raptors question to Thurmud regarding state safety courses, has a lot of people concerned, liability issues is a big concern. You can train them, you can give them safety courses, and you can train them on machines that you think will fit them, it sounds like the ONF is saying my daughter because she is 12 can't ride an ATV bigger than 90 CC, that sounds like government controling my life. If I am a responsible parent I should be the one to say how big a machine she can ride. Riding abilities differ from person to person and there is always a risk involved in no matter what sport you are involved in. If the case you site is true then I guess my daughter and I won't be in the ONF.

The approach I suggested was not in a controlled setting, such as ANF, ONF, Etc.., this is what I see in my backyard. Be supportive, talk to the kid about his machine, be proactive.

[UncleRico]

Education, Education, Education....become educated and proficient as a rider, then pass that knowledge along.

I fear too many people/parents purchase ATV's as a toy, and severely underestimate the inherent dangers of improper riding techniques and protocol. 


I don't know of too may children who can purchase a quad on their own, so if the parents are the one's purchasing the quad, they are the one's who should be responsible for educating their children on proper riding techniques.

[Bigscrb15]

I have a hard time seeing a 16y/o kid on a 90. I would imagine less than 5% of the 16y/o's would even fit on a 90. All of the 90's designed these days are made for 7-10 year olds size. I bet you won't get many kids in that safety course because of that reason. Our lawmakers are clueless as to what size atv is appropriate for what age. Instead they need to make an "Atv License" that will have restrictions. You can take classes and skill courses to allow larger machines. I also think the best solution to all this trouble is to HEAVILY ENFORCE all laws throughout the state. There is no consistentcy in the state on enforcing rules and it leads to even more trouble.

[MachineDog]

The Grant that ONFA has benn approved for, but who knows when we will get, as it is coming from the govt. is for exactly this purpose.  We will be first giving the safety course to anyone who wants to volunteer to be a Trail Ranger, they in trun will be patrolling the trails in the ONF making sure that satefy is the number ONE concern.  Next we will be giving the safety training to ALL under 16 year olds that want to come take it.  It will be at the OHV Center and will be based on the SVIA safety Course.  The first requirement for that course is that they ride an atv of approved size.  If the are 6-12 years old - under 70cc, if they are 12-16 years old - under 90 cc.  ATV's over that size are only for 16 and over.  Starting July 1, 2008, you will only be able to ride on public lands if you are under 16, if you have the safety course and ride the atv sized for your age.

What does the safety training to all under 16 year olds consist of? I would guess the proper leaning techniques, braking, shifting, etc. Besides that, I would just like to ask if there is anything being done to make 90cc quads bigger in proportions to a 12-16 year old and possibly with some softer freeking seats. I ride my bro's little 50 dirtbike around the yard alot and I can't even get through the parts with sugar sand because of top-heavyness. D: I guess the 90 and 50cc restrictions are because of 2-strokes, but 2-strokes are being phased out.

Also, I'd rather see that they'd allow kids on bigger bikes, the ones that ride bigger bikes need it the most. My bro rides my old 250, which should fit him for the next 3 years and hopefully the honda runs that long. I'm riding a 350 rancher right now cause it fits me well. At the moment, I wouldn't go with any bigger of a proportioned bike, but I wish I had more power sometimes.

[cheropride]

Raptors question to Thurmud regarding state safety courses, has a lot of people concerned, liability issues is a big concern. You can train them, you can give them safety courses, and you can train them on machines that you think will fit them, it sounds like the ONF is saying my daughter because she is 12 can't ride an ATV bigger than 90 CC, that sounds like government controling my life. If I am a responsible parent I should be the one to say how big a machine she can ride. Riding abilities differ from person to person and there is always a risk involved in no matter what sport you are involved in. If the case you site is true then I guess my daughter and I won't be in the ONF.

The approach I suggested was not in a controlled setting, such as ANF, ONF, Etc.., this is what I see in my backyard. Be supportive, talk to the kid about his machine, be proactive.

Totally agree with this....  I also feel that a larger kid on a 90 is more dangerous, they over power the machine and that's just dangerous.

As for protocol...

It's hard, cause it all comes down to the parent. All the training, talking and examples, but if the parent is not "DEMANDING" the child wears a helmet, then it's not going to happen.  My son knows all too well, NO HELMENT - NO RIDE!!!!   One time we drove up to Okeechobee to stay for a weekend ride, realized we forgot his helment and was about turn around and go home.  {fortunately, our neighbor was coming up too, so we called him to bring the helmet}, but none of road until we got the helmet..... But that's just it, the parent must insist that the kids wear a helment - no matter what!!!We don't even have to tell him, sits on his bike, puts on helment,googles, ect... then he starts his bike.  He knows. 

I have said things to kids and parents in the past, and all it did was almost cause a friggin weekend brawl.  And, yes I approached with the utmost kindness, and all I got back, was "mind your own business, bi--ch".  You know, you want to friggin put your fist right through there friggin teeth, idiots....idiots....idiots....  

[raptor]

If it was kid to kid that might be a different story, peer group. If it is an adult to a kid that is authority.

Stewards also thinks that there should be a license issued for the kids, similar to the motorcycle license, and yes if he passes a written and riding test, he should be able to upgrade. As someone has suggested on this thread. Both tests should be pretty hard, and geared to real life.

[k.p.]

i went ridin w/ my buddie a few weeks back and he walked to his 416 and his mom said wear a helmet.after we rode for a bit he went to get on the 300 and she didnt say anything.so im guessing parents think if their kids are good at riding they dont need helmets.or maybe they dont know how fast some quads can go.but what i do to have my friends wear helmets...i make fun of them sayin like "oh watch out your gonna wreck...might wanna wear a helmet numnuts. just stuff like that and people will listen. like logger said be friendly

[logger]

Peer pressure and friendlness works almost all the time.