Dirt Bike Safety for Kids
Never ride alone: As much as possible, have an older child (or better yet, an adult) supervise you when you’re riding your bike. It might be a drag, but it might save your life someday.
Don’t bite off more than you can chew: Make sure the ATV/dirt bike you select is appropriate for you. In general, those aged 6-11 should ride engines under 70cc, while those of age 12-15 should ride engines from 70-90cc. While it may be thrilling to feel all that power under you, it’s a sure ticket to pain if you lose control of that power.
Armor up: Always, always wear your protective equipment. This includes your helmet, gloves, riding outfits, and boots. Make sure the equipment you choose is designed to protect you when you’re riding your ATV. Gloves that are too short, for instance, won’t protect your forearms and wrists if you have an accident.
Your way, not the highway: Not only is riding a dirt bike on public roads (to say nothing of the highway) extremely dangerous, it’s also very illegal. Stick to the off-roads, it’s where the bikes were meant to be ridden, anyway.
One at a time: A dirt bike is not a clown car—you can’t just pile on passenger after passenger and expect to have no repercussions for it. Dirt bikes were designed for one rider, period. Anything more will ruin the balance of the bike, decreasing its maneuverability and increasing the chance that everyone on it will be very badly hurt.
Check, please: Always make sure your bike is in a fit condition to be ridden before you get on it. This means making sure the gas tank is topped off, the tires are filled to the right pressure, and that the brakes and the light work.
Knowing is half the battle: Always be familiar with the laws governing the riding of dirt bikes in your area. In addition, always make sure you know about the terrain you’ll be riding into and how you’re going to tackle it. If in doubt, ask an adult or someone who knows.
Never forget that your dirt bike is a powerful machine, and that you have to respect that power. It’s your responsibility to make sure that you control it well, and if you can handle that responsibility, then you can reap the rewards of handling a dirt bike. Remember, riding might be fun, but it’s not a game.
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