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Safety Tips for UTV Riding with Children

Jan. 6 2021 Lifestyle By Nielsen Enterprises

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Looking to get your whole family involved in off-road adventure? There’s no better tool for the job than your trusty side by side. After all, the bench seating in a UTV gives you the option of inviting one or more passengers on board. If you have young children, you might be wondering whether you can safely bring them along for the ride. So long as you take the proper precautions, trail riding with kids can be a safe and rewarding experience all around!

Here at Nielsen Enterprises, we love introducing people of all ages to the powersports lifestyle. That’s why we put together the following guide to UTV riding with children. If you’re looking for more advice, feel free to ask the qualified staff at Nielsen Enterprises! We proudly serve Lake Villa, IL, along with our neighbors from Chicago, IL, and Milwaukee, WI.

Understand the Local Laws

State laws dictate the rules around recreational off-road vehicle use. In most states, children must be 12 years of age or older to ride as passengers in a side by side. Some states take that one step further by requiring that passengers be able to grasp a handhold while properly restrained with their backs against the seat.

In most states, these laws do not apply on private land. Either way, it is always best to make sure your child is properly buckled into a secure harness, and has a handhold within reach.

Know Your Kids

Just because kids are eager to join the adventure doesn’t mean they are ready for the responsibility. Consider the age and maturity level of your child before taking them on board your UTV. Your young passenger must be physically and mentally fit, and able to understand and respect safety instructions. If you have any doubts, consider waiting until your child is older.

Know Your Own Limits

Transporting a child in your side by side is a heavy responsibility. Beginners should get plenty of practice behind the wheel and become fully confident in their skills before sharing the ride with children. Keep in mind that the vehicle will handle differently when it is weighed down with passengers, and make sure to start slow.

Set Rules for Safe Riding

It’s important to give your child a thorough safety briefing before their first UTV ride, being careful to use language they can understand. Asking them to memorize a short list of riding rules can be a good approach.

Here are some UTV riding rules we recommend:

  • Only grown-ups are allowed to operate the UTV.
  • Never get in the UTV without a grown-up.
  • Keep your hands inside the UTV at all times.
  • Always wear your safety gear and harness.

Whatever rules you choose, try to keep it simple without leaving out anything important. And remember to always lead by example. If your kids see you riding without a helmet, for example, they might want to follow suit. 

Get Kid-Friendly Gear

Child passengers should have all the standard protective gear for UTV riding. That includes helmets, goggles, boots, and gloves. You might want to consider a neck collar as well, to prevent your child from straining their neck on the bumpy ride. It might be tricky to track down these items in child sizes, but it’s well worth the effort. This is no time to skimp on safety! High-quality protective gear that can make all the difference in the event of a crash or rollover.

Your UTV will also need some upgrades to safely accommodate your child passenger. UTV handholds are affordable and easy to install, and these are often required by law. Simply attach the handhold to the roll cage within reach of your child’s harness.

Speaking of the harness: when you plan to ride with children, you will probably want to upgrade from the standard 3-point harness that comes with your side by side. The 4-point or 5-point harness is a lot safer for children. Look for a harness with wide padded straps for comfort.

We hope you found this guide helpful! Are you prepared to hit the trails? Need a new UTV for all your upcoming adventures? You can find a great selection of new and used UTVs for sale at Nielsen Enterprises. We’re located in Lake Villa, IL.