ATV Safety Tips For Beginners

Any time you’re new to operating a vehicle, you need to take precautions to ensure the safety of yourself and those around you. It’s important to keep protection in mind first and foremost as you get more comfortable operating a vehicle and this is especially true of riding an ATV. While road vehicles have safety devices built into them, there’s not a lot of room for error when riding an ATV so it’s all the more essential to follow proper protection guidelines. If you’re new to operating an ATV, here are the important things to remember as you learn.

Proper Gear

Nothing is more important than wearing the proper safety gear when riding and that starts with the helmet. You’ll want to make sure you get a DOT-certified helmet designed for riding and you must get on with a proper fit. Helmets can be adjusted, but that doesn’t mean that all of them will be equally comfortable, and you don’t want to be fiddling with your helmet while riding.

Protective clothing is a must as well and this is where you’ll again want to find something designed for riders. You should find a protective jacket and boots that are high enough to cover your ankles. Gloves and goggles are also essential when riding as you may encounter branches or debris during your rides. These items are the minimum recommended safety equipment, but you can also supplement them with further protection such as shin guards and a chest protector.

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Good Riding Position

Balance is important when riding as it will help you be in better control of the ATV. One of the most vital things to remember is that your hands and feet should be in the proper position at all times. This means your hands should be on the handlebars and your feet should be firmly on the pegs. As you ride, try to keep your body loose rather than stiff so that you can adapt to bumps in the road and changing terrain. Keeping your elbows and knees slightly bent will put you in a good position to operate the ATV and shift your weight as necessary.

Don’t Overdo It

As you start to get comfortable riding an ATV, you may be tempted to take on more challenging rides and trails, but you should be cautious with your ambitions. It’s easy to get overconfident in your riding ability as you get better, and it can be very dangerous to take on more than you’re ready for. It’s best to slowly build up your skills with incrementally more challenging rides rather than take a big leap just because others in your group may be doing it.

Comfort Takes Time

Becoming a skilled rider doesn’t happen overnight so you’ll need consistent practice over time to get better. Just like learning to drive a car, it takes time to learn how to operate an ATV safely and you need to trust the process as you gain more skill. If you go on regular rides, you’ll no doubt get there quicker but don’t rush things. It can be helpful if you ride with more capable riders as they can guide you through new experiences and challenges as you go.