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Outdoor Life: With ATVs, better safe than sorry
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Posted by rdtusmc Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments Alert "Outdoor Life" reader Rick recently told me of a great local training resource for ATV riders and for those considering to become an ATV rider.
Rick had originally e-mailed me to see if I knew where his wife and adult daughter could attend an ATV safety course locally.
I did some research and got him pointed in the right direction. Rick took it from there and reported back later that the ladies had, in fact, taken the ATV Rider Course through the ATV Safety Institute.
The local instructor is also a Bakersfield Police Department officer. Rick said it was an excellent class and would highly recommend it to anyone.
I don’t know if this is the norm, or if Rick’s family got preferential treatment, but the training course also provided the ATVs for those “ride-less” students. They were Honda 250 Rincon models on loan to the ATV Safety Institute.
When you purchase a new ATV, the manufacturer throws in a voucher good for up to three family members to attend an accredited ATV safety course. Otherwise, the cost is $125 per student
But, you do receive a voucher for a full refund for the course, if you purchase an ATV from a qualifying brand manufacturer within the next 12 months.     
We all know there is tragic truth to the fact that there are appropriate places to ride ATVs and there are inappropriate places to ride ATVs.
Surface streets are inappropriate. Period.
The pavement is really hard; ATVs are difficult to see from a car or truck; and the cars and trucks are way bigger than you.
Constant parental supervision is the order of the day. Proper safety gear is a must when you ride.
Parents should also be aware that it is important to know that ATVs have “age-appropriate” ratings, i.e. some kids are too small in size or too young to safely operate certain ATVs.
They either don’t have good judgment yet or aren’t strong enough to maneuver them.
To enroll in the ATV Rider Course go to: www.atvsafety.org
Or, call 1-800-887-2887.
On April 2, The Bakersfield Californian had a great photojournalism story in the Eye Street section. It had lots of great pictures taken by my friend and The Californian’s picture editor, Alex Horvath. The story and pictures were about the Dumont Dunes Off-Highway Vehicle Area, 31 miles north of Baker.  You can purchase copies of this past issue at the Eye Street office downtown.   
I was reminded that we haven’t been spending near enough time enjoying the great outdoors that I write about. Not that I haven’t had some logical excuses for not going — things to get handled at our family business, throwing out things at the home we moved to this summer that I should’ve thrown out or given away before we moved, etc.
The unexpected, recent death of my dirt bike friend, Harold Soens on March 30 was a wake-up call for me.
Two days before Harold’s passing, I was speaking with him in the lobby of our hotel in Sacramento, writing an e-mail on their business section computer.
He said, “You should be with your wife, get off the dang Internet!”
I told him this couldn’t wait.
Harold later wished us a safe trip home, then turned to me and said, “It can always wait.”
Wow, prophetic.   
Geez, that’s the last time I saw Harold this side of heaven.
Many of those chores I’ve thought just couldn’t wait seem less critical now. I’d like to try and spend more time outdoors with my family and friends, and I look forward to sharing those times with you. Lord willing.
Happy Trails! 
E-mail Dick at: rdtusmc@msn.com    

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