Beginners Guide
Student Booklet Sample
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Tread Lightly and Safely
The United
States Forest Service has a program for environmental use called Tread
Lightly. The Foundation for Off-Road Safety has adopted this plan called
Tread Lightly and Safely to help promote riding ATV's in a safe way and
protecting the outdoors. The following is the Tread Lightly and Safely
pledge with tips on how to stop environmental abuse:
Tread. I will travel only where motorized vehicles are
permitted. I will travel single file to avoid unnecessary tracks, only ride my
ATV off-road, and will not ride on public roads or paved surfaces.
Respect. I will respect the right of hikers, skiers, mountain
bikers, campers and others to enjoy their activities undisturbed. I will respect
private property , and will not harass wildlife or stock. I will respect the
laws and rules when I ride, be courteous to others and offer a helping hand.
Education. I will educate myself by
obtaining maps and regulations from public agencies, complying with signs and
barriers and asking owners' permission to cross private property .
Avoid. I will avoid streams, lake
shores, meadows, muddy roads and trails, steep hillsides, wildlife and
livestock. I will not wash my vehicle clean in rivers, lakes or streams. I will
not modify the muffler / spark arrester. I will avoid littering and those people
who do.
Prevent. I will prevent wildfires by making sure my ATV has a
spark arrester. I will keep my machine properly tuned. I will not ride when the
fire danger Is high.
Drive. I will drive responsibly to protect the environment
and preserve opportunities to enjoy my vehicle on wild lands. I will drive
sober. I will not use alcohol or other drugs when I ride. I will remain on
established trails, and will practice my driving skills until they are well
developed before entering an unfamiliar area.
Tread Lightly and Safely Pledge: I
will learn all the mechanical controls and safety devices of my ATV by reading
the owner's manual and checking them each time before riding. I will wear a
helmet at all times and other protective clothing suitable to the environment
when riding. I will not carry passengers. I will not let young riders,
especially those under the age of 14, or inexperienced riders, ride ATV's
unsupervised. I will only lend my ATV to someone who has successfully completed
an ATV Safety Education course. I will never ride alone.
Different Terrains
When you feel you have safely mastered skills for climbing and
descending hills and traversing slopes, the next task is to learn to be totally
aware of the types of terrain in which you can ride. In this chapter we will
discuss various types of terrain, from riding in water and mud to dune and snow
riding. Your state may not have all of these terrains, but it is wise to know
how to ride through them safely.
Reading The Lay of the Land
Always look well ahead of you by scanning the trail before you. Keep your eyes
moving. looking where you want to go. Sometimes people have a tendency to focus
on an point just ahead of the front wheels. If an obstacle comes up, there is
not enough time to avoid it. Instead of focusing on the road ahead there is a
good rule of thumb to follow:
At
any given speed, you should be looking that many yards ahead. For example, at
30MPH you should be looking 30 yards ahead.
By looking far enough before you, you'll be able to pick the best
"lines" over and around obstacles, knowing when to slow down. If you approach a
hazard, you will not need to look directly at it. Instead, by having scanned
ahead, you will be aware of its presence as you avoid it. You should always be
scanning ahead for the next obstacle.
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