ATVs have grown in popularity at a level never imagined by their original designers. The often used nickname of quad has been attached to the four wheeled variety of ATV. The quad can be many things to many people. A four wheel drive quad can be a work-horse, snow plow, earth-mover and etc. A two wheel drive quad can be a traditional trail rider for exploring the wilderness. A sport quad can be used for organized quad racing or anything-goes fun. How about a quad sized just right for kids? What is its purpose? A kid's quad can be an introduction to the exciting sport of ATVs. It can be a parent's desire to live out their own childhood fantasy if maybe they weren't fortunate enough to own an ATV. It can also be the fulfillment of a kid's relentless requests for his or her own quad. Parents should always take a step back and analyze the situation objectively before purchasing a quad for a child under the age of sixteen. Every situation is different and every child is different.

ON a past episode of one of those funniest home video television programs, there was a clip of a child, probably a three years old and happily seated ON his 50cc quad. One parent holding the video camera and the other parent ready to let go of the ATV at any moment. The outcome of this video clip was so predictable it wasn't even funny. They apparently taught the kid to START but he didn't seem to learn to stop. Naturally and he accelerated into a wooden fence and impacted forcefully. He was wearing a helmet and didn't appear to be injured in any way. The audience responded with laughter and applause. The clip could be viewed as funny, but realistically this kid shouldn't have been ON this quad at his age and at least not in such closed quarters as was the case in this back yard.

One can only imagine how many times this same situation occurs when the camera isn't rolling. Unnecessary injuries resulting from a parent's decision to purchase a kid sized quad for a child not ready to ride. Children develop at different rates and most of these accidents are not even the child's fault. Sizing standards are put in place by quad manufacturers They are recommendations and not golden rules. If a child is not ready to ride the quad that was designed for his or her age group and then it is a parent's responsibility to delay the introduction to quad riding until the child has developed enough to understand the consequences that can come with riding ATVs.