Did you see the W5 report on ATV Safety...

[CrazyCanuck]

Thanks Terryb
I know from experience that we learn better by "doing" - so by allowing my kids the chance to get experience will be what helps them down the road.
Do you, or anyone, know of any "kid friendly" trails in the area?
Machines are plated and insured so that is not an issue.
Need a place where I can have one of my kids as a passenger while the other rides the Polaris - then they switch. Next year they may each have their own - we shall see.
Bill

[Terryb]

I get a little riled sometimes because it always seems that those of us who are responsible riders get tarred and feathered becasue of the idiots. This W5 story also makes our job of promoting the club and opening up riding opportunities just a bit harder. No one ever pays attention to us when we ride responsibly but boy do they ever remember the goof riding with no helmet and a beer in his hand.

Kudos for taking the time to properly train your kids on proper riding. My dad did the same thing for me way back when and I always respected him for it. Besides getting to spend the day with dad riding. Your teaching skills that might just save their lives one day.

[CrazyCanuck]

The 5% rule.

Those 5% of the population that behave like idiots and don't follow basic rules or common sense ruin it for the remainder of the users.

I am attempting to teach my kids safety on ATVs and other machines. I have had them out for 8 hours of instruction on dirt bikes and will be speed limiting them big time on the ATV.
This type of sensationalism is going to make it harder - in more ways than one.

Any machine can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Yes there are risks to riding an ATV .. as there are risks to operating other motorized and non-motorized machines. But by using common sense and some safety gear riding can be more pleasurable.

I am hoping that common sense will be prevail in our law makers to not be ridiculous with any new amendments to law.

One can hope anyway!
CC

[Terryb]

Typical media hit piece. Tragic accidents but all were avoidable and not the fault of the machine.

W5 had a perfect opportunity to be a part of the solution but instead chose tabloid journalism.

Just look at the incidents they mentioned and the YouTube videos (there is a lesson right there on be careful what you post to YouTube)

The rest of this post assumes you have seen the story.

In the first incident did W5 bother to ascertain if the machine involved in the accident was designed for 2 up riding? If they did why was this information not provided to the viewer. would this information have proven that in fact it was not the fault of the machine but the fault of the rider for doing something clearly outlined both by machine stickers and the owners manual as dangerous? Were they wearing helmets? The machines clearly outline that rider should be 16 she was only 14. What speed were they travelling to casue such extensive injuries? Where is the reporting CTV?

In the second incident not enough background information was given on the trapper who was pinned under his machine for four days. Did he tell someone where he was going and when he would be back? Did he have a radio or cell phone? Spot messenger or stat phone? if not why not? Was his machine overloaded or improperly loaded? To top it off during the segment explaining the victims accident W5 clearly videotaped this person batetnly ignoring the manufacturer's safety rules by having a passenger on a machine not designed for passengers. Nice reporting W5.

In the third incident it was very clear the victim was using his quad in a dangerous manner on a paved road without a helmet. Quads don;t flip themselves. Once again against manufacturer recommendations.

As for the YouTube videos used to sensationalize the story even more. I can only refer to an old saying. You can't fix stupid!

[Kosta]

In case you have not seen it:

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...91024?hub=WFive


Cheers,
Kosta