Young riders face beefed-up ATV rules

Paul Fattig

Starting with the new year, all youth under 16 operating an all-terrain vehicle on public land must be supervised by an adult who has completed a state-approved safety-training class.

The youth will be required to complete the safety-training course, as well, and meet rider-fit guidelines for his or her vehicle.

Those are among the new ATV rules adopted by the state of Oregon for 2009.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management, which has several ATV areas in its Medford District, including the popular Johns Peak area west of Jacksonville, is preparing to enforce the new laws on its land.

"We will have people patrolling, not only Johns Peak, but all the heavily used ATV areas," said district spokesman Jim Whittington, adding that BLM law enforcement officers, along with sheriff's deputies, will be on hand to ensure the laws are being followed.

Steve Croucher, president of the Motorcycle Riders Association, whose 500-plus membership includes both individuals and families, says the rider-fit requirement is a wise move, although he is quick to add he is one who seldom likes to see more rules.

"But I've seen kids on vehicles that were much too large for them," he said. "A small child on a large unit can't activate the brake.

"They did a really good job on the rider-fit by providing a very understandable description for operators," he added, referring to a diverse group that includes ATV riders, the state and others.

"They did an excellent job of articulating that. It met the intent of keeping smaller riders off vehicles that were too large for them."

While Croucher approved of the rider-fit requirements, he wondered how the supervisory requirement will be implemented during events such as competitive racing.

"We're hoping common sense will prevail in situations like that," he said.

The new rules are the result of increased ATV injuries occurring to young riders, according to John Lane, the ATV safety education coordinator for the Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation.

From 1998 to 2003, the Oregon Trauma Registry recorded more than 1,200 injuries resulting from ATV crashes, he observed. ATV-related accidents rose 78 percent from 2001-2003, with more than 20 percent of ATV injuries occurring to children younger than 15, he added.

"This program is aimed at saving people's lives," he stressed. "Accidents and deaths from ATV-related activities are tragic, but even more alarming is the number of children involved in these accidents."

The 2007 legislation required the department to phase in ATV Safety Education requirements for riding on Oregon's public lands. The minimum age will increase every year until all riders are required in 2014 to carry an ATV Safety Education Card while riding on state land.

"It is similar to driving a car — you want the other drivers to be as well trained as you are," Lane said.

However, there is a safety training exemption for riders using an ATV or off-road motorcycle for farming, agriculture, forestry, nursery, Christmas tree growing operations or while riding on private land.

The free ATV safety course is available at www.rideatvoregon.org. Anyone who doesn't have Internet access can contact the department at 1-877-772-3359 for off-line testing options.

Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Source: http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090105/NEWS/901050312

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