Essential Skills for Kids Learning to Ride ATVs Safely
Learning to ride off-road vehicles like ATVs at a young age can be a big help later in life when it comes time to get behind the wheel of a car or truck, as you’ll already understand the feeling of controlling a moving vehicle. Beyond that, it can also provide hours of fun for kids who want to get out and explore the great outdoors with their parents or caregivers. However, utmost caution must be taken before you entrust a young person with an ATV to ensure it’s a safe ride. Read on to learn the most important skills for kids learning to ride an ATV.
Safety Gear: The First Step
It should go without saying, but getting properly outfitted to ride with all necessary safety gear—especially helmets—is always step one and is a skill that every kid should be taught. Dressing in appropriate clothing not only keeps kids safe but also ensures they have a good time, as nothing can kill enthusiasm for riding quicker than being uncomfortable in the elements.
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Staying Calm Under Pressure
As a teacher, the first idea that needs to be imparted to children is that you can’t panic once things get underway and something happens that you don’t expect. The most common mistake made by first-time riders, especially young ones, is that the moment something doesn’t go according to plan—like hitting a large rock they didn’t notice—they lock their hand on the throttle and give up all control of the machine. They simply go wherever they are taken, almost in a state of shock caused by a panic response.
The best teacher for anticipating the unexpected is simply time riding, as your brain begins to adjust and learn what it means to react to the unexpected. This isn’t a skill you can overtly teach; the only way to get comfortable with these situations is by spending time driving an ATV or UTV. However, there are many other skills and techniques to focus on while developing the ability to stay calm and controlled behind the wheel or handlebars.
Start Small and Slow
First off, keep things slow and start on an appropriately sized machine. Letting a child ride something that is too large or too powerful is a recipe for disaster, so always err on the side of caution for a first-time rider—it’s better to go too small than too big. Many machines aimed at children, whether ATVs or UTVs, have some type of limiter, and it’s a good idea to use it, especially when they’re just getting started. Stress to your kids that speed is the biggest cause of crashes, so riding slower is always safer.
Practice Throttle Control
Practice is necessary in learning any skill, and riding is no different. Make sure you stress to your kids that practicing certain skills is crucial when they’re first learning.
One important lesson is to lift off the throttle and allow the machine to come to a stop, emphasizing that throttles are spring-loaded, and lifting off is a simple way to slow down in a hectic situation. Simply building that muscle memory can help when they need to react quickly. Kids should also become intimately familiar with the controls of a given machine and should practice operating them all, especially the kill switch, which is another way to stop things quickly if there’s trouble.
Braking Basics
Muscle memory is also important for braking, so practicing coming to a stop is a good idea and a chance to learn the different ways to brake. For example, a UTV generally has a single pedal, while an ATV can have three or even four different brake controls.
Children should practice stopping both moderately and aggressively to understand exactly how the machine responds. Learning how to stop in a straight line is a crucial first step, but the next lesson should be about handling under heavy braking. If you’ve locked up your brakes, it’s usually because you’re trying to avoid something on the trail ahead. The best approach is to do heavy braking while traveling in a straight line and then lift off the brakes for optimal handling.
To practice, have kids ride toward an obstacle, engage the brakes hard in a straight line, then lift off and steer around the obstacle.
Learning to Read the Trail
Anticipating the trail ahead and learning to read the terrain are essential skills for kids. New riders tend to focus only on the trail just in front of their tires rather than lifting their vision. Emphasize to kids that while it’s important to watch what’s directly under their tires, they also need to look ahead to react to obstacles further down the trail.
This skill is key to increasing speeds and improving safety, but it takes time to develop. With practice, kids’ brains will learn to process what’s immediately beneath the machine while also reacting to what’s coming next.
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The Road to Confidence
Learning to ride an ATV is an exciting journey, but it’s one that requires patience and practice. By focusing on key skills like safety gear, throttle control, braking, and terrain awareness, kids can build their confidence while staying safe. With the right guidance and plenty of practice, young riders can develop the skills needed to enjoy a lifetime of off-road adventures.
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Stephen Elmer
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