scooter
05-22-2008, 08:49 AM
PUBLICATION: The Leader-Post (Regina)
DATE: 2008.05.22
EDITION: Final
SECTION: Recreational Vehicles
PAGE: BB3
ILLUSTRATION: Colour Photo: Canwest News Service / Manufacturers haveredesigned modern ATVs to make them more family-friendly, and safe to ride. ;
BYLINE: Lisa Hrabluk
SOURCE: For Canwest News Service
WORD COUNT: 615
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Popularity of ATVs growing fast
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The all-terrain vehicle is growing up. Having started life as a utility vehicle to assist farmers, fishermen, loggers and hunters manoeuvre through mud and rocky terrain, the ATV graduated to the world of recreation in the 1980s, bringing a little style and speed to the Canadian wilderness.
But not everyone was happy to see it.
Along with the thrill of the ride came complaints of noise and rut marks and worries over safety, particularly for children.
Manufacturers and aficionados recognized the problem and in the last few years, the design and use of ATVs has evolved, providing a more family-friendly and safe environment.
That includes safety features on newer ATVs including seatbelts, power steering and size-appropriate machines. In addition, the industry has joined with local ATV clubs and provincial federations to promote safe riding techniques, the proper use of equipment and a respect for environmental protection.
"I love to ride and if we don't do these things, we won't be riding," said Calvin Rakach, technical director for the Alberta Off Highway Vehicle Association.
In Alberta, as in most western provinces, there aren't a lot of regulations governing the use of ATVs, something Rakach's association would like changed, both for the protection of ATVers and to show non-ATVers that the sport has matured.
High on his list is ensuring children learn how to safely operate an ATV, just as his own children have done.
"I got them on ATVs when they were about three-and-a-half, but they were just little machines," said Rakach, adding the child-appropriate machines come with a kill switch that can be pulled by the supervising adult.
"My son is 16 years old now and he's a magnificent driver and it has translated into his skill with a car. His skill on the road is far beyond his buddies'."
Concerns over the safety of children has prompted manufacturers to develop not only small ATVs for children under the age of 14, but to accommodate pre-teens and young teenagers who may be as tall as an adult but lack the skill or strength to control a full-size ATV.
As for the adult market, Albertans have earned a national reputation for spending the most on customizing their rides.
Rimmed wheels, stereo systems and custom-ordered backseats are common add-ons. Manufacturers, such as Yamaha, have introduced limited edition models that include such bonuses as aluminum rims.
"They've got their stereo systems and they put a back seat in and the whole family goes out into the woods," said Yamaha Motor Canada spokesperson Bryan Hudgin.
This year, Yamaha will continue to develop its market share with its flagship model Grizzly 700, the first ATV to have electric power steering.
It's a feature that allows for greater ease at the controls, popular with women and with drivers who want to go out for the day and not feel sore and stiff when they turn the ignition off.
Also growing in popularity are the two-by-two vehicles, now sold by a number of manufacturers.
For example, Yamaha's Rhino 700 includes seatbelts and a cage around the passengers for additional safety.
"We believe it's the best way to ride with two people because the passenger is sitting beside you and you can have a conversation," said Hudgin. "There's a little storage space in back and it comes with fuel injection. We thought, initially, it would be popular with hunters, and it is, but it is finding a wide market."
Although not technically an ATV, the two-by-twos are growing in popularity across the country.
Jacques Poirier of the New Brunswick ATV Federation is certainly seeing a lot more on the trails as riders look to ATVs as their mode of transportation for longer trips.
"The latest cool thing is to go out on a trip that is a multi-day trip," he said. "We are talking to tourist operators about this. We expect there will be a lot of motels and restaurants that will get on board and cater to ATVers."
Atlantic Canada and Quebec have well-established ATV federations and local clubs that not only promote the sport but maintain province-wide trail systems that are also regulated.
It is a trend that duplicates snowmobile culture and is supported by federations across the country.
Ontario has begun to move in that direction, with a regulated trail system taking shape.
Poirier says the time is right for ATVing to enter the recreational mainstream.
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DATE: 2008.05.22
EDITION: Final
SECTION: Recreational Vehicles
PAGE: BB3
ILLUSTRATION: Colour Photo: Canwest News Service / Manufacturers haveredesigned modern ATVs to make them more family-friendly, and safe to ride. ;
BYLINE: Lisa Hrabluk
SOURCE: For Canwest News Service
WORD COUNT: 615
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Popularity of ATVs growing fast
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The all-terrain vehicle is growing up. Having started life as a utility vehicle to assist farmers, fishermen, loggers and hunters manoeuvre through mud and rocky terrain, the ATV graduated to the world of recreation in the 1980s, bringing a little style and speed to the Canadian wilderness.
But not everyone was happy to see it.
Along with the thrill of the ride came complaints of noise and rut marks and worries over safety, particularly for children.
Manufacturers and aficionados recognized the problem and in the last few years, the design and use of ATVs has evolved, providing a more family-friendly and safe environment.
That includes safety features on newer ATVs including seatbelts, power steering and size-appropriate machines. In addition, the industry has joined with local ATV clubs and provincial federations to promote safe riding techniques, the proper use of equipment and a respect for environmental protection.
"I love to ride and if we don't do these things, we won't be riding," said Calvin Rakach, technical director for the Alberta Off Highway Vehicle Association.
In Alberta, as in most western provinces, there aren't a lot of regulations governing the use of ATVs, something Rakach's association would like changed, both for the protection of ATVers and to show non-ATVers that the sport has matured.
High on his list is ensuring children learn how to safely operate an ATV, just as his own children have done.
"I got them on ATVs when they were about three-and-a-half, but they were just little machines," said Rakach, adding the child-appropriate machines come with a kill switch that can be pulled by the supervising adult.
"My son is 16 years old now and he's a magnificent driver and it has translated into his skill with a car. His skill on the road is far beyond his buddies'."
Concerns over the safety of children has prompted manufacturers to develop not only small ATVs for children under the age of 14, but to accommodate pre-teens and young teenagers who may be as tall as an adult but lack the skill or strength to control a full-size ATV.
As for the adult market, Albertans have earned a national reputation for spending the most on customizing their rides.
Rimmed wheels, stereo systems and custom-ordered backseats are common add-ons. Manufacturers, such as Yamaha, have introduced limited edition models that include such bonuses as aluminum rims.
"They've got their stereo systems and they put a back seat in and the whole family goes out into the woods," said Yamaha Motor Canada spokesperson Bryan Hudgin.
This year, Yamaha will continue to develop its market share with its flagship model Grizzly 700, the first ATV to have electric power steering.
It's a feature that allows for greater ease at the controls, popular with women and with drivers who want to go out for the day and not feel sore and stiff when they turn the ignition off.
Also growing in popularity are the two-by-two vehicles, now sold by a number of manufacturers.
For example, Yamaha's Rhino 700 includes seatbelts and a cage around the passengers for additional safety.
"We believe it's the best way to ride with two people because the passenger is sitting beside you and you can have a conversation," said Hudgin. "There's a little storage space in back and it comes with fuel injection. We thought, initially, it would be popular with hunters, and it is, but it is finding a wide market."
Although not technically an ATV, the two-by-twos are growing in popularity across the country.
Jacques Poirier of the New Brunswick ATV Federation is certainly seeing a lot more on the trails as riders look to ATVs as their mode of transportation for longer trips.
"The latest cool thing is to go out on a trip that is a multi-day trip," he said. "We are talking to tourist operators about this. We expect there will be a lot of motels and restaurants that will get on board and cater to ATVers."
Atlantic Canada and Quebec have well-established ATV federations and local clubs that not only promote the sport but maintain province-wide trail systems that are also regulated.
It is a trend that duplicates snowmobile culture and is supported by federations across the country.
Ontario has begun to move in that direction, with a regulated trail system taking shape.
Poirier says the time is right for ATVing to enter the recreational mainstream.
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