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Protective clothing
More than half of all ATV riders have been thrown off at
some time. As these machines are not fitted with either
a cab or roll bar, your only protection is what you wear.
●
Head protection is vital
. The majority of ATV
fatalities in the UK in the last ten years have been
caused by head injuries. Nobody who died from
head injuries was wearing a helmet. Helmets
would certainly have prevented most, if not all, the
deaths.
You should always wear a helmet when
riding an ATV
. Helmet types suitable for ATV
operations, depending on the circumstances, are
motorcycle helmets to BS 6658:1985 or UN ECE
regulation 22.05, equestrian helmets to BS EN
1384:1997, including specialist ATV helmets, cycle
helmets to BS EN 1078:1997 and mountaineering
helmets to BS EN 12492:2000. All helmets should
have a chinstrap and be capable of being used
with suitable eye protection. The type of helmet
chosen should be based on an assessment of the
circumstances in which the ATV will be used, eg
the types of surface travelled over and anticipated
speeds. The harder the surface and higher the
speed the greater the degree of protection
needed.
NB: Forestry helmets and industrial
hard hats are not acceptable for any ATV
operations
.
●
Wear clothing that is strong and covers your arms
and legs. Gloves are useful for protection and to
keep hands warm in cold weather for good control
of the ATV. Wear sturdy, ankle-covering footwear,
eg boots or wellingtons that are strong, supportive
and have good wet grip.
●
Protect your eyes from insects and branches with
either a visor or goggles.
Passengers
Never carry a passenger on a sit-astride ATV unless
it has been designed for, and is suitable for, that
purpose
. The long seat is for operators to shift their
body weight backwards and forwards for different slope
conditions,
not
for carrying passengers. Passengers on
specially adapted ATVs must wear a safety helmet. Do
not carry a passenger in a trailer behind an ATV as any
movement can make the machine unstable, particularly
with independent rear suspension and trailers with
axles wider than the ATV.
Safety checks and maintenance
Off-road use is especially harsh on equipment so it is
essential to carry out safety checks and maintenance in
accordance with the manufacturerʼs recommendations.
In particular, pre-ride safety checks should
always
include:
●
tyre pressures. These are low, eg around 2-7 psi,
so even a 1 psi (0.07 kg/cm
2
) difference in
pressure can cause vehicle control problems.
Use a gauge that is designed for measuring and
displaying low pressures
– usually supplied with
the ATV;
●
brakes and throttle. Check that the brakes give a
safe straight stop and that the throttle operates
smoothly in all steering positions. Brakes can
have a relatively short life in farming or forestry
environments and need frequent cleaning, regular
adjustment and proper maintenance.
Safe driving methods
ATVs are rider-active machines, so rider positioning is
vital to operate them correctly. The position of the rider
on the machine needs to be changed depending on the
terrain and motion. Riders must have the ability to
move and balance the momentum of the ATV with their
own body weight. Plan routes (and review the plan if
the route is used regularly) to assess risks.
The following advice is no substitute for formal
training.
●
Most ATVs have no differential and so do not
handle in the same way as other machines. This
means that when you turn, the ATV tries to keep
going in a straight line.
●
When cornering on an ATV with no differential or
with the differential lock engaged, where your
body weight needs to be positioned depends on
how sharp the corner is and on how fast you are
going. Correct body position allows you to transfer
weight to the outside of the turn through the
footrests while maintaining balance with the torso.
This lets the inside wheels skid slightly allowing
the ATV to make the turn properly.
●
You must understand how the transmission
system of your machine will affect engine braking
for both riding, and recovery of stalled ATVs, on
slopes.
●
When riding across a slope, keep your weight on
the uphill side of the ATV.
●
When going downhill, slide your weight
backwards, select a low gear and use engine
braking, reducing the need to use the brakes.
●
When going uphill, it is important to review the
route before starting the climb. Move your weight
forwards and maintain a steady speed. It is
important to shift your body weight forwards as
much as possible. If necessary stand up and lean
forward, keeping both feet on the footrests at all
times and always maintain momentum.
●
Avoid sudden increases in speed, as this is a
common cause of rearward overturning accidents,
even from a standing start on flat ground where
there is good grip.
