atv ban for children

[Brute Force Iggy]

Cant fix stupid is the line I have heard over and over again today and I agree 100 percent. If more parents would just take the time to supervise and teach their children how to operate and respect the ATV, Motorcycle, Snowmobile etc, there should be no issue. Keep them off the adult sized machines. I dont know about all of you, but I would rather teach my child when he is young, than to take a typical crazy, no fear, no it all teenager and throw him onto an adult sized machine at 16 for the first time. Even better, I have seen many adults who have never ever operated and ATV of any kind, go out and spend big bucks on the 1000cc monster and end up badly injured or killed because of lack of experience and stupidity!!!!! Respect your machines, teach your kids respect and safety and we can keep this a great recreational activity for years to come!!! Thats my 2 cents worth!!!

[2strokejunkie]

We need to educate these kids on riding these machines and the dangers if not properly ridin.Instead of banning them lets make them take a course and get a powersport license to show that they have been properly educated on these machines.As adults we have to have a boaters license to show we have been properly educated on the sport.....

[Bister]

Remember folks, this is not the government saying they are going to ban it, these are the people on the front lines that only see the worst of it, not all of the kids that are responsible and having fun. It's just a news headline, that's all.

They probably want to ban skateboards, BMX bikes, horses, roller blades, etc.- pick your poison.

PS. My first bike was a blue mini-bike on the back cover of the Princess Auto catalog in the 70's...now that was a safe thing to ride....and guess what...no one wore helmets back then. A wild horse was probably safer, and I survived (for the most part).

Ban Bikes:
Flavor of the day in the 80's:

BMX compared with ordinary bicycle accidents
C M ILLINGWORTH
Accident and Emergency Department, Children's Hospital, Sheffield
SUMMARY Three hundred new cases of bicycle accidents were seen in the accident and
emergency department in 60 consecutive days. Fifty six per cent were related to ordinary cycles
and 44% to BMX cycles. Significantly more children on BMX cycles were boys (94% v 76% on
ordinary cycles). Those on BMX cycles were somewhat older and more had had previous
accidents.
By means of a proforma we investigated the nature and causes of the accidents, recorded the
type of injury, and compared accidents on the two groups of bicycles. Forty children had
fractures and the incidence on BMX machines was almost twice that on conventional bicycles as
were serious injuries and admissions to hospital. Twenty one children had concussion, 18 broke
teeth, 53 fell head first over handlebars, and 131 had injuries above the neck. Significantly more
children on ordinary cycles (53%) had injuries above the neck than those on BMX cycles (31%).

[muddyrubber]

IMHO an all out ban ia rediculous. Maybe a cc limit of some sort sure, I can agree with that, but a ban for anyone under 16 to operate any atv?? That's government and Canadian Paediatric Society bullshiz 100%.

[roughneck]

doctors and the government can piss off!!! We decide what our kids do and don't do they are our responsibility not theirs.

OK i feel better now

[bbrent]

Originally Posted by Bister

Remember folks, this is not the government saying they are going to ban it, these are the people on the front lines that only see the worst of it, not all of the kids that are responsible and having fun. It's just a news headline, that's all.

They probably want to ban skateboards, BMX bikes, horses, roller blades, etc.- pick your poison.

PS. My first bike was a blue mini-bike on the back cover of the Princess Auto catalog in the 70's...now that was a safe thing to ride....and guess what...no one wore helmets back then. A wild horse was probably safer, and I survived (for the most part).

Ban Bikes:
Flavor of the day in the 80's:

BMX compared with ordinary bicycle accidents
C M ILLINGWORTH
Accident and Emergency Department, Children's Hospital, Sheffield
SUMMARY Three hundred new cases of bicycle accidents were seen in the accident and
emergency department in 60 consecutive days. Fifty six per cent were related to ordinary cycles
and 44% to BMX cycles. Significantly more children on BMX cycles were boys (94% v 76% on
ordinary cycles). Those on BMX cycles were somewhat older and more had had previous
accidents.
By means of a proforma we investigated the nature and causes of the accidents, recorded the
type of injury, and compared accidents on the two groups of bicycles. Forty children had
fractures and the incidence on BMX machines was almost twice that on conventional bicycles as
were serious injuries and admissions to hospital. Twenty one children had concussion, 18 broke
teeth, 53 fell head first over handlebars, and 131 had injuries above the neck. Significantly more
children on ordinary cycles (53%) had injuries above the neck than those on BMX cycles (31%).

These like any other stats can be deciving. Fact is there are more competative BMX riders than any other segment, thus the higher percentage of injuries. The nature of the terain of BMX is also a contributing factor to the types of accidents.

[new to can am 800]

the only thing i have to say is this if they ban kids under 16 from operating quads it gonna cost me a ton of cash in fines b/c i am not telling my daughters they are not operating one i will just pay the tickets i have no issues sending them to a coarse to educate them. i am just throwing this out here for some comparisin my daughters went and got their hunters saftey at the age of 12 they now come out hunting with me hmmm kids and guns one would think it not a good mix but they went to a saftey coarse and they are out with me hunting but b/c they are educated and i practise saftey with them out in the feild they have become very carefull and respectfull of firearms sorry for the spelling mistakes

[Nozzleweed]

Just so I understood the last post right. Kids can get their hunters safety and shoot a gun at 12? Is that right? Am I missing something here. They can fire a handgun but can't drive a quad. Has everyone gone retarded. LOL

[new to can am 800]

i dont know bout handguns but say a shotgun or a rifle yes they can as long as someone with a PAL is within so many feet of them

[779]

if the kids know what theyre doing and what the machines theyre riding r capable of and respect it, i really dont see a problem. jmo

[Bister]

The Canadian Pediatric Society is to children what PETA is to cows. If the CPS had there way your kids would be wrapped in bubble wrap and placed in a safe.

[garyh]

I don't see the reasoning in banning quads for kids under 16. It is all about training ,education and practice. If you don't do that then yes bad things can happen.

Now let me lay it out like this. My 14yr old has been riding for years. She has a 425 Cat and rides between me and my wife. She is 5'9 and about 110 lbs. She rides and handles that like a pro and I'd let her ride with any one. Now she knows her limits and if she ain't comfortable with the speed she slows down. People will just wait for her. Now her friend down the block is 17 yrs old. She is very small. 4'11 and like 80 lbs maybe. Now she is not experienced in riding but she is over 16 right. So does that make it ok ?

Or how about the 55 year old man who has never been on a quad but has deep pockets and can go out and buy a 1000 cc renegade ! Now just cause he is over 16 is he a safer rider then a trained and educated 12 year old with 4 yrs riding experience ? Or how about the mid 30's couple buying a 900 xp cause they thought it looked fun. Never drivin one before in their life and don't think that other machines could be coming down the trail at the same time , and wouldn't know what to do when it happens ! Now is that ok cause their over 16 yrs old ? And are they safer then my 14 year old ? I don't think so.

If this law was to come into place I see a lot of people will buck the system and tie up the CO's and RC's when they should be doing something better.

I think training , education and practical experience is the answer. Even for those adults who are buying their first machine ever and really don't have a clue how to ride.

And common sense isn't so common anymore !

Just my thoughts.

[rancidjo]

I do not think a ban is the proper solution. I am a father of a 7 and 14 year old. Both drive atvs. Esspecially my 7 year old son...can barely get him off of it sometimes. They ride under supervision, with safety gear, on what I deem as proper sized machines, on safe terrain within private property. I would much rather see him buzzing around on it then plopped down on the couch watching tv/video games etc. I also take them out shooting/hunting among many other outdoor activities. This is how I choose to raise them and they don't complain about it( too much)...lol. Much of the time when I read about serious injury or death of a minor on an atv, I often here details of lack of supervision, no safety gear, and oversized machines. These 3 factors are totally out of control for the kids and are totally up to the adults. Please everyone get your kids outside...but do it safely so they can come back into your home unharmed. I wish I had the answers on how to get all adults to keep the kids safe on atvs but I do not. And I will not be telling my boy he can not ride his atv if there is a ban!

What I would not like to see is a bunch of 16 year olds that have never operated an atv before hopping on one that has enough power and wieght to scare this 300lb man. I know myself and alot of other "farm boys" that were much better drivers because they putted around the open fields in the ol' farm truck with dad in the passenger seat with words of encouragement.

[lowandslow]

My buddy's kid is 14 now and has been riding dirt bikes since really small. He couldn't even ride a bicycle! He has pics of his kid doing jumps with tail whips at 6-7years old! The kid doesn't race in canada cuz the competition isn't good enough. I am pretty sure he could handle a quad.

My eldest is 9 yrs old and is perfectly safe on her 90cc cat. My 5yr old is good too. My 8yr old son with downs syndrome does just fine on the quad. None of them are allowed to drive mine cuz its obviously not safe but shouldn't it be my decision and not yours or the governments?

[slowdryrider]

In away this is what things are like.Kids need to be taught how to operate properly and some {big kids} My Grandson 14 now we've raised him since 7 mths old.has been riding ATV/Quad tractors etc: since 3 yrs old.We live in the country so were able to ride lots I think that he'd put a lot of 16 yr old to shame,in being careful etc while riding.For eg; we were on a trail ride with a group of people [we belong to a atv club] and while riding he was just behind us I noticed that he pulled over and let some of the ATV's pass him.When he pulled over I did as well and when he came up to me I asked him what the problem was and why he stopped.He was clearly upset and said those idiots behind me were riding so close to me that I was scared that they were going to run into me.Now the ones behind him were adults in there 20's.He said that they were being idiots and he didn't feel safe with them behind him.The other thing is we have a neighbour kid who race around like fool [ a accident waiting to happen] plus we have other ones who ride decient.Now when this kid is out riding and wants to ride with mine.He'll ride a bit with him but as soon as the kid starts to get silly etc: my guy will come home and put his away untill the other one stops riding.His thing is that he doesn't feel safe when the hot dogger is out riding.He's done this on his own the first time he did this I thought something was wrong were in fact he didn't feel safe.The point I'am trying to make is if there taught from young whats safe and what isn't they'll stay safe on there own.They do need to be educated and here's annother eg.We also have other grandkids [city kids] who have just recently gotten a dirt bike and have come out here with it to our place in the country to ride.No expereice at all. 17,15,12 yr olds.they have no clue and you can't tell them anything cause they know it all and Grandpa [doesn't know anything] heck thses kids can't even start the darn thing.My grandson the one who were rasing has had to start the bike for them.Now these kids need to take a course of some kind as they don't have a clue and they certainly don't listen to me.The parents bought the bike sure its only 90 cc but still it can cause hurt.The dad doesn't come out but our Daughter brings them out and she has no clue either,so its left to me and we all know that Grandpa is old and doesn't know anything.Thats why I say kids need to be shown and taught from young not when there older because by that time its to late to teach them anything because they know it all. So if they do a total ban of young kids being able to ride ATV'S etc who in the heck is going to beable to try and tell them what or how to ride when there older.With all this said it should be up to the parents to teach there kid's how to ride and be safe.Don't just stick them onto a ATV and say go out learn and have fun.There's a accident thats going to happen.But like always lots won't agree as the old guys don't know anything.LOL

[2strokejunkie]

I had a great day today riding quads with my 14 year old son...i dont care what they wanna do im gona continue to have great days with my son...

[boakley]

A lot of great comments and good stories.

But still the point of the article seems to be missed which is what is the solution to the fact that:
- 447 children under the age of 15 were hospitalized every year for ATV-related injuries
- 179 die of atv related injuries of which 40% are considered minors

So what do we do??

option a: turn a blind eye / ignore / leave them to keep killing themselves / do nothing / let them die

Or

????

[silverback]

Originally Posted by 2strokejunkie

I had a great day today riding quads with my 14 year old son...i dont care what they wanna do im gona continue to have great days with my son...

x2for me

mine is only 12. very responsible kid. i try to supervise him. and or ride with him.
he'll be hunting this yr.

I don't want my kids living in glass bottles!


lot of good points were brought up in this tread.

keep those kids riding SAFE!!!

[roman]

my girls have been riding quads since they they where 5 years old! they work their way up to the quads they have now! i spent hours showing them how to ride! they understand the dangers of riding! When you start a quad/sled/or what ever you ride you upyour chances of getting hurt! starting young or at 16 doesnt matter, respecting your riding skills matters!!! sports like hockey/football (to name a few) cause injurys too, you dont see a ban on them!!just saying

[Swede]

Living in a nanny state is not the solution. Like many others have said, put kids on appropriately sized machines and SUPERVISE THEM. You wouldn't believe how many parents let their 12-14yo kids go out riding alone, or with their other hormone infused buddies, and think that its alright.

Put two adolescent boys together, on a quad that's got "power" and you know something is gonna happen. It comes down to saying NO, unless a parent is there. I don't let my son ride with anyone unless myself or another adult is present, and he rides a 250cc, NOT a 400-600cc adult sized machine. There's no need to give a kid that much power until they have the body size, skill, and maturity to use it properly.

Banning all children from riding is pointless, most of us would continue to do as we've been doing (if we're the responsible type). The parents who don't watch their kids and let them do whatever the hell they want are still gonna have their little hellraisers out doing donuts on the gravel roads, wheelies up hills, and potentially ending up a statistic.

WE DON'T NEED more freakin laws, we need smarter people that actually listen to the ones that are already in place. As it stands, <16yo cant ride without supervision and machines are all designated with approved riding age. A parent or guardian must be present during machine operation as well.........................you see my point?


BTW, you cant fix stupid, and you cant stop teenage hormones. You just gotta keep an eye on them, and let darwinism sort out the rest.