Teaching Children How To Ride ATVs and in Side by Sides

Ever since the 1980s when ATVs and side-by-sides became popular, both adults and children have enjoyed riding in them. While safety precautions weren’t the greatest in the ‘80s, they’re much better now, and there are even youth ATVs that are perfectly sized for children, with lower speeds and less powerful engines. Kids also love to ride in side-by-sides with the whole family.

Regardless of whether they’re riding their own ATV or riding with you in a side-by-side, it’s vital that your children be well-informed about good safety practices and geared up properly for safety. Big Country Powersports in Bowling Green is your Kentucky powersports dealer. As such, we’ve provided this guide to help you teach your kids to safely ride their youth ATVs or ride in a side-by-side.

Get The Right Gear

First, your children need to be properly geared up to ride safely. This includes a well-fitting helmet that’s crash-test rated, like a motocross or motorcycle helmet designed for children. Don’t try to give them an adult-sized helmet! It won’t fit well and won’t protect them in a crash, and it could slide down while they’re riding and obscure their vision. If the helmet doesn’t have a face mask, get the child a pair of goggles for eye protection from flying debris.

While an adult’s ATV ensemble may just consist of boots, riding gloves, long sleeves and pants, you may want to equip your child with a chest plate and other padding. There are plenty of options to keep your child safe and protected as they ride, so find something that is age- and size-appropriate for them to wear.

Perform an Inspection

Before your child gets on their ATV, you should perform a thorough inspection of the vehicle. Make sure the gas tank is full, the oil is clean and the tires are properly aired up to the psi levels indicated in the owner’s manual. Check lights and signals and make sure the brakes are functional. You should do this with your own ATV as well, but it’s of particular importance for your kids, since they may not know when something is malfunctioning and what to do when that happens.

Teach Them The Rules

Go over the operating rules of your child’s ATV with them, including how each control functions, what speed they should remain under, how to turn and reverse the vehicle and where it’s appropriate for them to ride. If you have a large open field for them to practice in, all the better! If you go on a nature trail, make sure that they know to stay within the trail’s parameters. When riding with you in a side-by-side, children should know to keep their arms and legs within the vehicle and to wear their seatbelts and not disturb the operator.

Avoid Audiences

Kids are more likely to act recklessly around their peers, so avoid teaching them to ride in front of their friends or cousins. An audience may goad them into performing tricks they’re not ready to do yet or to go faster than is actually safe. As your child is learning to ride, it’s best if it’s just you and them at first in a quiet area.

We hope this guide helps you and your child to enjoy safe, fun journeys on your ATVs and in your side by sides! Searching for youth ATVs near Louisville? Come see us at our Bowling Green location to check out our full stock of new and used side-by-sides and ATVs for sale, including kids’ models. We can offer you financing options to help you get what you need. Big Country Powersports also proudly serves the greater Nashville, Tennessee metropolitan region.