Practical Safety Tips for ATV Riders

There’s nothing better than taking your ATV out on the trails, the dunes, or the track. Getting out with your family and friends or even a solitary ride through your favorite backwoods trail is exhilarating and just plain fun. It’s important to remember, however, that the key to having fun is also safety. Making sure you’ve got the right gear, the right mindset, and even the right ATV will keep you safe and make sure your rides stay fun. Cool Springs Powersports, serving Nashville and Franklin, TN, has put together a list of suggestions and recommendations to consider before setting out on your next ride.

Proper Equipment

The first thing you can do to keep yourself safe before you ever start your ATV is to equip yourself with the right equipment. The first, and most important piece of gear you can wear while riding is your helmet. Next, make sure you’ve got a good set of goggles on hand to protect your eyes from dust and flying rocks. Every time you ride, make sure you’re wearing a long sleeve top layer, and long pants as well, to protect against grasping branches or flying debris. Your hands should be protected by a set of gloves, but make sure that you’re still able to freely operate your vehicle’s controls. Finally, always wear a sturdy set of boots when you head out to ride. Not only will a good set of boots stand up to the punishment of the trail better, but if you wind up making a long hike back to the trailhead you’ll appreciate leaving your sneakers behind.

When it comes to equipment for your ATV, there are a few basic items you can pack to increase safety and comfort on the trail. First, have a first aid kit handy and know how to use it. Food and water are always an essential packing item even for short rides so you can stay clear-headed if you wind up out longer than you intended. A small tool kit for your ATV is also a great idea, since you may be able to avert a stall on the trail and keep yourself riding until you make it back.

Best Practices

Always ride with a partner. If your ATV rolls, you stall, or someone gets hurt, you should always have someone you can send for help (a cell phone may not work in your riding area). Always stay within the operating limits of your ATV, don’t load down a single rider ATV with two people, or try and fit four people on your two-up seat. Make sure that someone who’s not riding with you knows where and when you’ll be riding, and when you’ll be checking in so that if you don’t return on time someone can send help on your behalf. Don’t ride outside your skill level. If you don’t know if you can crawl that rock, or make it up the other side of that hill, then don’t. It’s great to try new things, but learning the hard way on an ATV can be dangerous and expensive.

Using your Head

There are always situations when you say “what was that guy thinking?” Whether it's someone rolling their ATV while sidehilling, or they guy who careens into the canyon because he was just going too fast, ATVers make avoidable mistakes every day because they just stop using their brains. Make sure that when you ride you have a clear, calm head. Ride sober, ride friendly, and use common sense when making your decisions and ATVing can be a safe, fun activity for everyone!

Remember, get yourself a good helmet and set of goggles, layer your clothing and wear long sleeves and gloves to protect against everything the outdoors will throw at you, and use your best judgment while you ride. Your judgment is your best tool while you’re on the trail or track, keep calm and don’t do anything that makes you feel unsafe. However, you choose to ride, be sure to visit Cool Springs Powersports, near Dickson and Hendersonville, TN, and let our amazing staff get you geared out for your next adventure!