As nice weather inches closer to becoming the norm, more all-terrain vehicle users will be getting ready to ride. "Just like the preparation riders go through to get their machines ready for the spring, riders should also review safety equipment and safe riding practices," said Rhonda Fowler, with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources snowmobile and off-highway vehicle (OHV) program.

Safe riding practices include always wearing a DOT or Snell approved motorcycle helmet. Never ride on a roadway or highway. ATVs are not designed to be ridden on paved surfaces or to share the road with motorized vehicles. Never ride double on a machine designed for one passenger. An additional passenger affects the weight distribution on the machine and greatly affects the driver's ability to control the machine.

Fowler said there are some common sense rules that riders should also follow. Wear proper safety equipment; youth riders should only ride on properly sized machines for their size and ability. Ride only in designated areas and OHV parks, ride within your ability and know your machine - read the owner's manual.

"Most crashes occur when a rider is doing something he or she should not be doing, which means they are not practicing safe riding," she said.

Spending a day in one of Iowa's numerous OHV parks is a safe and exciting activity for the whole family. "All it takes is a little preparation in the way of safety training, properly sizing a machine for the youngsters and having all the current registrations and user permits for each machine," said Matt Bruner, conservation officer with the DNR in Webster and Humboldt counties. webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov.

For more information about Iowa's OHV parks, go to www.iowaohv.com

For more information about the Iowa DNR's safety education program, go to www.iowadnr.gov then click on the Safety Education link under Outdoor Recreation in the navigation bar on the left, or call 515-281-3208 or 515-281-3449.

Safety Training for ATV Users

Safety training for all-terrain vehicle (ATV) users is a key factor in reducing accidents and injuries. In Iowa ATV riders between the ages of 12 and 17 are required to receive safety training before they are allowed to ride on public land or in one of our eight off-highway vehicle (OHV) parks. In order to make safety training more accessible to riders in Iowa, the DNR is developing a safety certification course which combines the talents of our volunteer instructors and Conservation Officers into one course. Students will learn the practices of safe riding according to nationally recognized standards and the responsibilities of knowing and following Iowa's laws.

On April 12, 2008, in a snow-dusted field at Camp Dodge, Johnston, the inaugural class of students undertook the task of helping the core of chief instructors fulfill their requirement of teaching a class in order to receive their ATV Safety Institute's trainer certification. Although the day got a bit cold and muddy, eight students and six instructors accomplished this goal by the end of the day. Students earned a certificate of completion and demonstrated their skills in understanding their machine's controls, handling, and maneuverability; traversing hills and obstacles; identifying hazards and how to properly approach and mitigate them; and first and foremost practiced safety on and off of the machines.

The DNR Safety Education Program is designed to reduce the number of unnecessary injuries caused by inexperienced riders, riders using new or unfamiliar machines, and riders operating above and beyond their abilities.

Conservation Officer Matt Bruner, who was one of the instructors for the class, characterizes the goals of the course as such, "When students complete the class they come out feeling more comfortable on their machines, understanding the ATV's and their own limits, and are knowledgeable in safe riding practices and Iowa's ATV regulations." He summarized the day saying, "The highlight of the course for me was seeing such a huge difference in confidence and riding abilities of the students, leading to safer and more responsible ATV operators throughout the state. If we prevent a student from being injured in the future, then the program was a success."

For information about future safety classes to be offered by the DNR or to receive information about becoming a safety instructor, call 515-281-3208 or e-mail the Web Master at webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov.