The Difference Between Motorcycles And ATVs

It's alarming how many people don't know how dangerous it can be to ride an ATV. People still routinely take off without a helmet, without proper training, riding 2 or 3 up on a 1 up quad, riding a quad that's too big, riding on pavement, or any combination of them.

You usually don't see that lack of reverence on motorcycles. Sure, there are those that will always ride without a helmet, but for the most part, motocross riders are always wearing full gear because they know how dangerous it can be.

So why don't people have that same respect for ATVs? I think I found one of the main reasons people don't respect ATVs...

What makes people think they can just hop on an ATV and zoom off without fear of crashing? Why is it that they don't think twice about falling off and smashing their face?

So I was sitting here with a glass of drink to quench my thirst, putting the finishing touches on an ATV web site I'm building to try to win a competition for a job with a really big news company, when something crossed my mind....

No, no... something besides the normal distractions of screaming kids, a chewing dog and a beta fish named Sampson sitting on the counter. Why on God's green Earth would a parent let their kid hop on an ATV and think everything is going to be fine, even though

Based on a report that wearing proper safety gear will likely help keep you from being another statistic when riding ATVs, really? (Sorry). If you've been here before, you already know that. I preach about that all the time, especially with kids.

Lincoln County emergency management director Susan Spake said the biggest factor in any ATV wreck is the rider not having safety gear including the wearing of helmets. "Emergency services responds to between 30 and 75 calls per year regarding accidents," said Spake. "Most of the calls are in rural areas of the county."

It also says that there are many calls to police for people riding their ATVs in places they're not supposed to be riding. While I hate the rash of closures in the last decades, that's no excuse for breaking the law.

If it pisses you off that bad, which I hope it does, then do something about it legally, like contacting your representatives ever day, week or what ever.