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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Riding an ATV that's too big for you is not a good idea. There are several important things to take into consideration if you've never ridden, and the size of the ATV is one of the most important. Even as there are issues with youth ATVs and lead content according to the CPSC, it's very important not to put your kids at risk.

Size is especially important when you're a parent who is considering buying a youth ATV. Since ATVs can be dangerous, especially for young or in-experienced riders, its important to know how to ride safely and to ensure your kids are riding something appropriate for their size and strength. And yes, that means you shouldn't put a 14 year old 150 pound kid on a little 50cc quad built for a 60 pound 7 year old.

If your kids visit with friends who have ATVs you make sure the friend's parents know your feelings about them, what ever they are. If you're OK with letting them ride, make sure to pack their ATV safety gear.

Find out more about why size matters on an ATV when it comes to strength and weight.

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In the never ending attacks by extreme environmental groups on offroading, another trail system is threatened as law suits are filed one after the other across America.

The latest suit was brought on by the Hells Canyon Preservation Council as they filed to block the Sled Springs OHV Project which was planned by the Forest Service. The project would create a 144 mile trail system in an area of nearly 40,000 acres. A small portion of a huge area that will allow offroaders a place to ride legally is still too much for some extreme groups and even some politicians.

The environmentalists may not realize (or simply don't want to acknowledge) that offroaders are largely responsible and give back to the community in several ways, including holding annual cleanups and fundraisers. Not to mention the money they bring to the communities they ride in.

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Three years ago an ordinance in San Bernardino County was enacted that forced families or groups of more than 10 people to obtain a permit in order to gather to go offroading on private land. The permit costs $155.00.

The code requiring the $155.00 permit means that, once again, the people of California's freedom to use their own land is under attack. There are already ordinances that govern how people can use their own private property for offroading purposes, and adding a $155.00 "fee" is adding insult to injury.

Luckily, Morongo Basin county supervisors Neil Derry and Brad Mitzelfelt have realized that lack of permits issued is a good indication that the measure is not needed, or wanted. 6 people have received permits in 3 years. There will be a meeting as soon as January 26th to decide if the permit and fee should be removed from the ordinance, while keeping in place other aspects of the ordinance that govern OHV activity on private property.

As expected, some extreme environmental groups are outraged at the proposed removal of the fee. The Community Off-road Watch (COW) was directly involved in getting the fee initiated in the first place, and they are upset that it may be removed.

The COW website states that "Mitzelfelt is threatening the safety and security of desert residents and the integrity of our precious desert lands," when referencing a fee that applies to PRIVATE property.

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Thousands of ATV and Offroading enthusiasts from across the southwest will converge on the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area to participate in the 13th annual MLK holiday trash cleanup in the dunes of Glamis and Gordon's Well on Saturday, January 16, 2010.

The cleanup is being put on by the United Desert Gateway and it's not just about going to the desert and filling bags with trash. The USD will be providing free t-shirts to the first 3,000 volunteers to register. There are also going to be hundreds of dollars in prizes given out; for every full bag of trash volunteers turn in they are given a ticket for a drawing to win prizes which will be held after a free lunch.

Registration starts at 8:00am, lunch is from 11:30 to 12:30 at the Glamis Flats in the North Dunes and at the Gordon's Well Vendor area in the South Dunes. For more information visit http://uniteddesertgateway.org or call 760-337-4155.

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ATV riders attended the Snow Shoe Rails to Trails winter ATV feast on Jan 2 2010 and braved the cold in the Gillentown Trailhead in Pennsylvania in the 7th yearly Bestline Polaris sponsored ATV ride fundraiser.

The Snow Shoe Rails to Trails Association holds the event to kick off the new year and to get new members to register their ATVs. The trailhead, owned by Headwaters Charitable Trust, offers just about everyone except ATVs free access to the trail. ATV riders must join the group and register in order to ride the miles and miles of trails, as well as agree to the group's regulations.

The fundraiser holds a lunch at the end of the ride at the Moshannon Community Center, and some of the money is going to be used to build a new fence on one of the rail bridges as well as normal trail maintenance and to replace stolen signs. The popularity of the event may have prompted the Depart of Conservation and Natural Resources board to extend the trail system so it will connect with the nearby Bloody Skillet ATV trail in Sproul State Forest.

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The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) wants to close yet another ATV offroading area, the Clear Creek OHV Park. Clear Creek offers numerous trails and roads that are clearly marked and there are several types of riding available there from very simple to highly technical.

The BLM wants to close the area, it says, because of issues like naturally occurring asbestos and because of previous mining operations in the area. It seeks to manage livestock grazing, offroad vehicle activity, non-motorized activity, acquisition and the potential for energy development.

There are several OHV and offroading groups that are fighting this proposed land grab, including the AMA District 36, The BlueRibbon Coalition, California Off Road Vehicle Association (COVRA), California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs and others.

The BLM is allowing public comment on the proposed closure of Clear Creek until March 5, 2010 in writing and at public meetings which will be held in January from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. at:
* January 13, 2010: Harris Ranch Garden Ballroom, 24505 W. Dorris Ave., Coalinga
* January 14, 2010: Veterans Memorial Hall, 649 San Benito St. Hollister
* January 20, 2010: Santa Clara Convention Center, Great America Meeting Rooms,
5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara

You can mail your comments to the BLM here:
Bureau of Land Management
Attn: CCMA RMP/EIS
20 Hamilton Court
Hollister, CA 95023

You can email comments to cahormp@ca.blm.gov or fax them to (831) 630-5055 Attn: CCMA RMP/EIS

You can read the proposed bill from the BLM here.