ATVs, kids, dirt bikes and injuries

A few more accidents involving children and ATVs, unfortunately one of them tragic. http://www.theobserver.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1772442

The only sensible conclusion was of the OPP officer who noted that "these are large machines and we're dealing with small children".

Other comments range from completely banning children from motorized vehicles, to, check this out: banning children under 14 years of age from operating any motorized ATV, even on private property. So, they could drive a proper car but not a small ATV.

Again, a lot of uneducated folks (they can be MDs but they're obviously not educated on motorized off-roading). I don't suppose they ever saw a kid-size 50cc machine. I doubt they pay attention when in their local Canadian Tire which usually carries a bunch of the smaller ones. And what does age have to do with size of engine operated? Isn't it that size is what matters? My trained 9 year old can drive his motocross bike a lot better than many 14 year-olds will ever be able to, especially on their first attempt.

Again, lots of people start talking "motorized vehicles" and bundle dirt bikes with ATVs with race cars...

Dirt bikes are reasonably safe under direct supervision and, of course, when the right size is used. It's worth mentioning that while a 2 year old can ride a 600lb 900cc ATV simply by standing on his/her butt and pushing a button, it is practically impossible for them to control any dirt bike that is not their size.

If fitted for their size, a dirt bike will not go any faster than a mountain bike downhill, so I must ask again, why do so many people get the wrong impression?

I definitely want my kids to keep riding dirt bikes in the relative safety of the forest as opposed to riding their bicycles anywhere near traffic.

Just for the record, I don't personally like ATVs - I consider them much less safe than dirt bikes, simply because they create the impression that anyone can easily drive them and that's not the case. Just checkout the comparison videos at the bottom of our page: http://wiki.funontrails.com/about-dirt-bikes