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ATV Riding Safety: Spring
From everyone at
the ASB, we wish you
all the best this spring.
May there be just
enough rain and
sunshine to get all the
crops in and growing.
SANDRA MELZER
Councillor
[email protected]
780.307.3173
Message from the Chairperson
Let’s Tell our Story!
“Not so long ago, everyone had a connection to the family farm. Kids spent
weekends and summer holidays at their grandparents’ or aunt’s and uncle’s
home in the country feeding calves, chickens, cats and the family dog. We all
had a connection to the land, but in the last few decades that has changed.
Statistics show that we are three generations removed from the farm. A huge
disconnect exists between what we produce at home and what your average
consumer gets from their local grocery store or purchases online.
Children nowadays don’t seem to know where the food comes from or how it’s
produced. Folks have lost the story of why we do what we do. As producers,
we need to change that. We need to tell our story. As producers we’re not very
good at that sort of thing; we tend to hide in the background and not say very
much unless we are asked. Often the media only posts negative information
out there, and we need to correct that. As producers — big and small — we
need to be heard and share what we do.
I’d like to personally challenge you to share with your friends, neighbours and
the world at large via social media our commitment to this way of life. Tell
them what really happens on the farm each and every day. Producers need
to be heard and understood. Post your stories and pictures to Facebook,
Instagram, Twitter and #ruggedandreal or #explorelsr.”
For the purpose of this article, ATVs
shall be defined as “Off Highway
Vehicles,” which are any motorized
vehicle designated for cross-county
travel on land, snow or ice. Over the
past 20 years, ATV use has steadily
increased by way of pleasure riding,
work and farm use. These ATVs
have found a place on the farm,
whether it’s fixing a fence, moving
cattle, scouting and spraying crops,
mowing the grass, landscaping, or
any use where a motorized vehicle
capable of hauling or pulling loads
across variable terrain is needed.
As one farmer puts it, “It is a
combination of a valuable horse
and experienced hired man, and on
some days has a mind of its own.”
As such, we need to treat these
widely-used pieces of equipment
with respect. ATVs are not toys.
They are powerful, heavy machines
weighing up to 330 kg, and can
obtain speeds of over 100 km/h.
It’s always important to supervise
younger inexperienced operators
to ensure that all safety precautions
are followed, inclusive of helmets
and appropriate gear.
A number of leading health
organizations recommend against
children under the age of 16
operating any size of ATV due to the
number of injuries and deaths to
young people on record.
Between 2010 and 2014, 85
fatalities occurred in Alberta while
riding ATVs. Of this figure, 17 were
16 years or younger. Head injuries
are the major cause of ATV-related
deaths, leading to more than
40% of these deaths in Alberta.
Therefore, using helmets should