Nov. 8, 2010 – ATV Digest

New state law bans youth from riding ATVs

Youth under 14 years old can no longer ride ATVs in Massachusetts, according to an online report.
The new law was spurred by the family of 8-year-old Sean Kearney of Plymouth, who was killed four years ago while riding on an ATV driven by another child, according to a report on www.boston.com.
In the years since the accident, Kearney’s parents have become advocates for ATV child safety restrictions.
Before the law was passed, industry officials countered that a ban was not necessary and that better safety training and supervision for kids would prevent such accidents.

Polaris to provide national guard utility vehicles

Polaris Defense, a division of Polaris Industries, has been notified by the National Guard Bureau, Washington D.C. that they have been selected for a contract award to provide Ultra-Light Utility Vehicles to the Army National Guard.
“We are excited to have our Polaris Ranger utility vehicles selected by the National Guard to help with their homeland security and disaster relief missions,” said Polaris CEO Scott Wine. “We are proud that Polaris can provide a cost-effective and highly capable, all-terrain vehicle that can handle the critical missions faced by the National Guard.”
The five-year contract includes the Polaris Ranger Crew 800 and Polaris Ranger 6×6 800 side-by-side vehicles, as well as accessories and training. The competitively awarded contract has a ceiling value of $67 million over the contract period. Polaris intends to build the Ultra-Light Utility Vehicles for this contract at its Spirit Lake, Iowa, facility, which has recently added more than 270 full-time and seasonal jobs to meet the increase in consumer demand.
“Polaris Defense is dedicated to providing quality vehicles that can perform to the high standards of the U.S. military,” said Mark McCormick, managing director of Polaris Defense. “This award underscores what our company can do in supplying great products, accessories and support to an outstanding customer like the National Guard.”

New Riding Opportunity: The Shoshone Trail in Nevada

Located about 25 miles south of Battle Mountain in north-central Nevada, the Mount Lewis Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management has begun developing a trail system for vehicles less than 50 inches in width.
About 19 miles of trail have been completed so far this year and about 39 miles are scheduled for implementation next year, according to a National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council report.
Additional phases could be implemented over the next several years.
Battle Mountain is known as the “Gateway to the Outback” and this trail offers a remote experience with views of the surrounding mountains. This scenic trail system passes through several high-desert ecosystems as it climbs to 8,000 feet in elevation. The trailhead offers parking for big rigs and primitive camping, a learner loop and warm-up loops.
For additional information, contact: Sarah Burkhart at the Battle Mountain Chamber of Commerce, bmcommerce@yahoo.com or 775/635-8245; or Todd Neville at the Mount Lewis Field Office, 775/635-4166.

ROHVA offers free UTV safety course

The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA) has announced the beta release of a free, interactive online e-course. The session identifies key risk factors in driving, teaches safe riding practices and directs riders to the best resources for learning about specific UTV and side-by-side models. It is simply a safety course and does not teach someone how to drive an off-highway vehicle. The course takes two hours to complete. However it can be paused and restarted. An optional quiz is available upon completion.
Register for the e-course at cbt.rohva.org, or visit www.rohva.org to access it. PSB