For over a decade, the Silver Bay Police Department has held an ATV training for youth. Started under former Chief of Police Doug Frericks, the training provides a way for the police department to interact with local youth, as well as provide an important service to the community.
The ATV class is for youth ages 10-15. Anyone born after July 1, 1987, is still required to take an online safety class, but is exempt from the hands-on riding portion. The police department hopes for every young person in the community to take the course to learn how to safely operate an ATV. Chief of Police Cole Ernest points out that, even if a family doesn’t have an ATV, the child may potentially operate one later in life, and by taking the course they are equipped to safely operate an ATV, no matter when that time occurs.
ATV riding seems to be increasing in popularity. Since 2019, there has been a 12% uptick in registered ATV owners in Minnesota. With the uptick in ATV usage comes the added risk to youth who are eager to go riding.
What do Minnesota youth need to know before riding an ATV? Children under the age of 18 are required to wear helmets as an ATV operator or as a passenger. Youth under the age of 15 must have parental permission to operate an ATV, and there are regulations concerning youth crossing certain public roads. Operators may drive on public land only if they have a safety training certification and are accompanied by someone 18 years old or older with a valid driver’s license. Minnesota also has a fit requirement, instructing that children aged 10 to 15 only ride a machine they can safely handle. Some ATVs have a high center of gravity, built for an adult sized operator instead of a child, and a child operating an ATV with a high center of gravity can lead to rolling the machine.
This year’s ATV class was held on May 26. The online portion of the class costs $24.95, and there is a fee for self-certification after youth complete the free riding portion. The ATV Certificate becomes valid at age 12. The hands-on training includes basic ATV operation, environment protection, common ATV parts and controls, Minnesota rules and laws, responsible trail riding skills, as well as practice demonstrating those skills on an ATV course.
One family followed up the class with an ATV ride out to Twin Lakes, a way to both implement new skills learned and to have some fun. “I loved it and I learned so much!” one girl said. “The teachers were nice. And I got to go on an ATV ride after.” Another student commented, “I enjoyed it! It was educational.”
Thank you to the Silver Bay Police Department for bringing this intersection of education, safety, and fun to local youth.
