Riding ATVs can be a lot of fun for the entire family. Side by Side ATVs like the Yamaha Rhino are very popular with families who like to go to the desert and spend time riding with each other. But lets face it, anything we do can be dangerous, especially when there's an engine and humans controlling it.

Basic ATV safety equipment like a helmet, gloves, boots and goggles are an important way to help stay safe when riding. These items can protect you in a fall, protect you from flying debris, and protect you from branches and other things you might hit while riding.

Just as important as what ATV safety equipment you wear is how you ride. Being Riding ATVs Responsibly">responsible while riding an ATV is key to keeping you safe. Not riding on private property, not riding out of your ability to ride safety, and not riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol will lessen your chances of getting hurt or hurting someone else.

When you ride, ride by the rules and wear the right equipment. It could mean the difference between a good, safe ride and a trip to the hospital, or worse.

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Yamaha Motor Corp has been popular among lawyers seeking to turn a quick buck. Since the wildly popular Yamaha Rhino was introduced it has had lawsuit after lawsuit piled on. About 50 of these lawsuits against the Yamaha Rhino have been dismissed by either the plaintiff or by the courts. It probably has to do with the fact that the Yamaha Rhino has won every "first in class" award and has a top safety rating.

Yamaha recently spoke out about the Rhino and it's safety record and wide usage...

Safety drives everything we do at Yamaha. We are proud of the safety record and safety features of the Yamaha Rhino, which has skyrocketed in popularity due to its exceptional reliability, safety and versatility. Over 150,000 Rhino owners have used our vehicles safely, including the U.S. military, border patrol, and a growing number of law enforcement agencies, fire fighters and other first responders. The Rhino has won virtually every "first in class" award and top safety ratings in independent reviews since its introduction.

They tells us that the recent Estate of Ellen Sand versus Yamaha Motor Corporation, LTD in Warren County, Ohio and the Robert Lamar Smith III versus Yamaha Motor Corporation, LTD in XX, Alabama lawsuits were both dismissed.

We all know safety almost always is in the hands of the operator. It would appear we're not the only ones.

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In a letter to the CPSC earlier this week, the Motorcycle Industry Counil (MIC) pleaded to have the CPSC include an exclusion for youth ATVs in the current lead ban controversy as they report to Congress about the issue.

The MIC contends that kids won't be eating ATVs, thus all but eliminating the thread of lead ingestion by youths who ride ATVs that contain small amounts of lead in some metal parts.

In fact, the entire youth motorsports industry is at risk. Loss of revenue is one thing, but the increased risks posed by kids riding ATVs which are too big for them is something entirely different. And that's exactly what is going to happen if they're not allowed to buy ATVs that are built specifically for them.

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Earlier this year we told you about the CPSC's lead ban which led to the banning of youth ATVs because of their lead content. The CPSC today sent the United States Congress a report on the lead ban and resulting ban on youth ATVs because of lead content.

The CPSC states that the risk of injury due to lead from an ATV being ingested by a youth is very minor, especially considering the risk of having more youths riding adult-sized ATVs. The CPSC is making it's case to Congress. In the CPSIA report to Congress, the CPSC said, referring to both bicycle and ATV use,

In each of those cases the Commission found that the safety of children using these products could be compromised by strict enforcement of the lead limits. The Commission wanted to ensure that youth-sized ATVs remained available to children given the mortal danger presented when children 12 and under use adult-sized ATVs. Likewise, the Commission concluded that the structural integrity of bicycles could require the use of metals containing lead and the stay provided the bicycle manufacturers with time to find substitute materials that could be used without compromising consumer safety.

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