Teaching Children How To Ride an ATV

Since their advent in the 1980s, four-wheeled all-terrain vehicles have been a popular recreational pastime for families all around the United States. It’s not hard to see why they’re so beloved; these vehicles are fast, fun and capable of handling tough terrain, even if it’s muddy or rocky.

Kids are extremely fond of ATVs and there are even youth models available that are less powerful and small enough for them to ride. However, riding an ATV doesn’t come without risks, so it’s important for parents to be responsible and teach their children how to be good riders.

Interstate Cycles of Lake City, Florida, is your local ATV dealer, and we want you and your family to enjoy every minute of your off-roading adventures. That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to teaching your kids how to ride their ATVs safely and responsibly.

Gear Kids Up

As an experienced ATV rider, you know how important it is to wear safety gear while riding. For your kids, it’s the same, but even more protection is needed. Children should have well-fitting helmets that are designed for high-impact riding. They will also need sufficient eye protection from flying debris, so if their helmets don’t have full face masks, they will need to wear a pair of goggles.

Protective clothing choices include jeans or corduroy pants, ankle boots with good tread, riding gloves and long sleeves. Long hair needs to be tied back and out of the way and clothing should not have drawstrings or other loose, dangly features that could get caught in the vehicle. For full protection, you can buy chest plates and knee pads in your child’s size, too.

Purchase a Child-Sized ATV

Children should never ride on adult-sized ATVs until they have reached the appropriate height, weight and skill level to safely use them. This means that you’ll need to invest in a youth ATV that is sized for your child’s height and weight. Try out several different models at a shop to see whether your child can reach the controls and have their feet rest flat on the ground. Engine capacities on youth ATVs will be lower, making them less powerful and slower, which is perfect for a new learner.

Don’t Allow an Audience

When you’re teaching your child to ride their ATV, make sure that it’s just you and your child and maybe another adult. If your child’s friends, siblings or cousins are around, they will want to try to impress them and might take risks. Or they may be unable to focus and easily distracted when their friends shout at them. So make sure that your riding lessons take place in an environment that lets your child focus on what they’re doing.

Ride With Your Kids

Once your children have mastered the controls and have demonstrated an ability to ride safely on flat ground, you can take them to a nature trail. Ride alongside your child on a simple and easy trail so that you can remind them how controls work and warn them about obstacles they need to be mindful of. When children have improved their skills, you can start riding on hills or in muddy areas.

We hope this guide helps you and your child to have enjoyable and safe ATV adventures! Seeking ATVs for sale in Florida? Come on down to our Lake City dealership to take a look at our wide selection of new and used ATVs for sale, including youth ATVs. We even provide financing options for you to use if you need them. Interstate Cycles proudly serves the cities of Jacksonville and Gainesville, FL.