Kids and Young Kids on ATVs
ATV on a leash
Training kids…the really young ones…to ride their ATVs properly can be a real pain. Not that they'd irritate you or anything like that but the fact is that they are ill equipped to handle their ATVs properly without your guidance. That is…until they are fully trained for ATV riding and absolutely familiar with their ATVs. It's like teaching a small kid how to ride a two-wheel bicycle. It's almost like removing the training wheels from their bicycle. Even though the ATVs got four, it doesn't matter, to a kid, an ATV is a HUGE and potentially dangerous toy.
For one thing, you can use some safety measures and tools to keep your kids safe for the first few times they ride their ATVs out on a terrain. What we find extremely useful is the leash. No, the leash is not for your kid but it will be attached to the ATV, instead. You see, with this ATV leash that is connected to the ignition of the ATV, if your kid gets into trouble alone on the ATV, give the leash a yank and the engine will be cut off.
When on an outing, what you can do is to put the leash on, encourage your kid to get on their ATV alone (you might not need to persuade them very much) and let them have their way. But the only condition is that you'll be on YOUR ATV riding just right behind them and the leash is what you'll be holding on to.
The ATV leash is pretty easy to find in the market and the prices vary from one manufacturer to another. So, go and do your window shopping on the Internet before you purchase one – and take note the lengths of the ATV leash.
And while you put your kids' ATV on a leash, you can actually send your kid (and yourself too) for formal ATV training. These classes will give your kids the basic rules and techniques to help them get better at ATV riding. After some time and after you're convinced that they have the right knowledge and experience to handle their ATVs on their own minus the leash, set them free.