Beginners Guide
Student Booklet Sample
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Sport and the Environment
Most ATV's are built for recreation. Learning all you can about your ATV and the
places you can ride are good things to do for safe and fun riding. But before
riding your ATV for the first time, you need to learn about how it runs and how
to operate it safely.
ATV's are
different from other vehicles. Since they are designed for off-road use only.
ATV's should never be operated on any road. They are also different from
one another in many ways. For instance, there are three-wheeled and four-wheeled
ATV's. They vary in control and operation just enough that you should learn
about each one before riding.
Some ATV's have rear brakes only, while others have front and
rear brakes. Be sure to learn the recommended stopping methods for your
machine.
Read your owner's manual.
There are ATV's with electric starters, kick starters and pull
starters. There are water-cooled ATV's and air-cooled ATV's. Some ATV
transmissions have clutches that are hand-operated. while others have fully
automatic clutches. Other ATV's have a reverse gear. There are ATV's with chain
drives and ATV's with shaft drives. Some ATV throttles are controlled by
twisting the hand grip. Others by pushing a thumb lever next to the hand grip.
Other ATV's have solid drive axles, while some have differentials. Controls and
their locations differ from one ATV model to another enough so that you should
always refer to the owner's manual for exact location and operation of the
controls on the ATV you ride. All ATV's are made for off-road use only.
Enjoying Nature on Your ATV
Any new method of transportation brings changes to the environment. As an ATV
rider you will get a first hand look at nature's best, from winter's snowy
mantle to sandy desert dunes. Be sure that other ATV riders traveling on the
terrain after you enjoy the same undisturbed view.
You need to learn to protect and preserve your riding areas. It
is not hard, with a few basic guidelines. Stay on existing trails wherever
possible. Be careful of the vegetation, especially in sensitive areas like sand
dunes, marshes and alpine areas. As you ride on the trail you may see animals
like rabbits, deer, elk or other species. While you may be curious about them,
do not be tempted to leave the trail to get a closer look, because it may
frighten the animals. Stay on your ATV and enjoy watching all animals from a
distance. It is best to shut off your engine when you meet horseback riders.
ATV's and the Environment
The
environment is a fragile place. If each of us takes full responsibility for our
actions while out in nature's areas, we would help current and future
generations to enjoy what we enjoy now.
ATV
operators should be aware of how seemingly simple acts of irresponsibility can
lead to environmental damage. For example, vegetation is nature's method of
lessening erosion by increasing the stability of the soil. If an ATV or heavier
vehicle destroys the plant cover, the dry soil can be eroded by the wind or
rain. Vegetation is very susceptible when covered in frost. Although vegetation
damage may appear harmless, you should avoid causing this type of damage because
of the serious environmental problems that can result.
Staying on established trails is the best way to protect the
environment. You should know the area you are riding in when you do ride. Keep
in mind that the wetter the soil, the easier it is to tear up. Stay out of
swampy areas and bogs where the soil is very waterlogged all year round. Try to
ride in those areas that have lots of sand, clay or gravel, since the soil here
is less easily eroded. Steeper slopes are also easier to erode than lesser
grades, since water runs off more quickly. To ease the grade, look for a switch
back or if you must climb, try to stay on the rockiest terrain.
The soil
and sediment of trout or other fish spawning grounds are very easily stirred up
and damaged by mechanical disturbance. You can prevent this disturbance by
avoiding the small streams and creeks. If you have to cross a stream or go up
and down stream banks, it is best to use an established ford or ride where the
banks have a gradual incline. This is safer for you while it also reduces the
impact on the stream bank. ATV operators should strive to reduce this negative
impact. Caring for the wilderness environment is everyone's responsibility.
There are some terrains that are very vulnerable to damage by
man. Tundra and sand dunes, for example, have only thin layers of soil and
vegetation. Some of these areas may be protected by federal or state
regulations, and could take years to recover if their surfaces are damaged. Soil
erosion from the ATV tires can also disturb ground nesting animals, which affect
the food chain balance.
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