ATV & Quad Safety Week is a 10 day reminder to ride safely 365 days a year. ATV & Quad Safety Week is an opportunity for the Off-Road riding community to emphasize the importance of rider safety to our lifestyle. Safety week is a chance to reach out and give back and begin a dialogue within our sport that could maybe even save a life.
Safety starts before the key is turned and the motor is fired. It starts with the desire for the rider to be the best they can be. This can be achieved through proper training (click here for the link to CASI training). Safety awareness continues with the following considerations;
- Wear all the gear, all the time. Always wear a compliant helmet (per provincial regulations), and safety gear including goggles, long-sleeve shirt, long pants, over-the-ankle boots, and gloves.
- Headlights On. Ride with your headlights on at all times.
- Ride on designated trails. ATVs/Quads are designed to be operated off-highway and at a safe speed for the conditions. Never ride on paved roads except to cross them safely and only where permitted by law. Whenever possible you should avoid riding in live water courses.
- A single-rider ATV/Quad is meant for one person. Never carry a passenger on a single-rider ATV/Quad, and no more passengers than the vehicle is manufactured to accommodate. (Traditional 2-up ATV/Quad is one passenger, and side by side or ROV type vehicles are judged by the number of seats with seat belts installed by the manufacturer.)
- Size matters. ATVs/Quads are not “one-size-fits-all”. Ensure you, and your fellow riders, are operating an ATV/Quad that is appropriate for your age, weight, and riding ability.
- Supervise young riders. ATVs/Quads are not toys. In provinces where riders younger than 16 can legally ride, they need to be directly supervised at all times by a responsible adult when they are riding.
- Riding alone. It is recommended that you do not ride alone. However, if you do, be sure to tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
- Drive sober. Never ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Get ATV training. Learn how to properly ride your ATV/Quad so you can be safe on the trails. Take a CASI ATV/quad RiderCourse. Visit: quadcouncil.ca/safety-training for more information or to enroll in a course in your area.
Enjoy the following ATV & Quad Safety Week videos that were prepared by the Canadian Quad Council:
