More and more children under the age of 12 are discovering the fun and excitement of quad biking. Whether mom, dad, or both are riding across sand dunes or rough terrain, the kids will be so enamored of the activity that they can’t wait to be old enough to ride an ATV. As a parent, you too are excited for the day when your kids are big and mature enough to ride the quad. However, if that day is almost in sight, learn how to introduce your kids to ATVs here.
get the right size
First of all, you need to think about the size of your child. If you’re an avid biker, you know full well that bigger quads are heavier, faster, and harder to maneuver. Therefore, small, skinny children will have a lot of trouble driving the larger youth ATVs.
Practice the use of safety equipment
Seeing the vehicle, your kids would be so excited that they could get into the vehicle without any equipment. Don’t let them ride into the sunset just yet. Teach them the importance of wearing safety equipment. Before you start the engine, make sure your children wear a helmet, bulletproof vest, gloves, pants, and a long-sleeved shirt. There are never enough precautions when it comes to your children.
Get an early start with electric quads
If you are really passionate about biking outdoors and want to get your kids started as soon as possible, electric quads are available in the market to help your kids build confidence. These quads are battery powered, super light and incredibly slow. The idea is not to give your children the adrenaline rush that you enjoy as an adult. By playing with a slow and safe toy, kids will gain essential skills for riding larger quads, like steering and braking.
Acquire Experience with Youth Quads
If your youngsters have quad biking experience, they are ready to ride a 50cc gas powered ATV. This ultralight youth quad is small with minimal to no suspension. More importantly, the vehicle is equipped with a governor to control the top speed of the quad. Taking baby steps is important to avoid any accident. After a few weeks of driving and you can see the development of your children, you have the option of increasing the top speed.
As an added precaution, tether-attached safety kill switches are available for small quads. An adult can hold the leash while walking behind the vehicle, and in case something unexpected happens, a quick jerk will shut off the quad’s engine.
Prepare them for larger ATVs
Once your kids have shown enough skill and awareness, the next step is to move up to a 70cc quad. The recommended age for an ATV this size is 13 and the recommendation doesn’t change until your kids turn 16.
At this level, age and skill are very important because these vehicles are heavier and faster, which means they are dangerous for those without skill. Again, make sure your children always wear safety gear before going for a ride. Finally, if you are traveling with your family or in a group, do not make the mistake of going too fast. Kids will try to catch up, and when they do, they might make mistakes that could lead to accidents.