Spring Weather Has ATV Riders Ready to Hit the Trails
Posted: April 22, 2008

DES MOINES - 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.

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.