Safely Riding a UTV with Your Child

Trail riding can be an extremely rewarding family experience, but it’s important to keep everyone safe every time you start your UTV. Before you take your children out on the trail, you should have an understanding of the area’s requirements and laws and know how to safely ride with your child. Our team at Big Sioux Powersports prioritizes safety, so we’ve put together a brief guide for safely enjoying your UTV with your family. 

Age Requirements

Most UTV manufacturers will post a suggested age limit on their models, but in some cases the state regulations will be different than the manufacturer guidelines. For example, some areas may not only require a rider to be a certain age, but that they're able to grasp a handhold while restrained and seated normally.

Although most places won’t enforce their regulations on private land, it’s important to be aware of the guidelines and follow them to keep your child safe.

UTV Safety Add-Ons

Although UTVs come with standard safety features, there are add-ons you can purchase to keep your children safer while riding. 

Handholds

The common handhold in a UTV is a grab bar or something similar that is mounted inside the vehicle. They’re typically on the roof or attached to a roll cage. If your child can not safely reach a handhold such as this, another option would be wrist restraints. 

It might sound a little extreme, but it’s a great option to keep your child safe and comply with local regulations. The restraints attach to the seat belt and connect to your child's wrists. This will provide additional stability and prevent your child from reaching outside of the vehicle.

Booster Seats

If your child needs a booster seat to ride in a UTV, they may be too young to ride at all. However, you can find booster seating that will fit in your UTV. Look for options with 4 or 5 point connections and harness belts for added security.

Harnesses

Many UTVs will have a 3-point harness seat belt already installed. Upgrading to a 4 or 5 point harness can be beneficial for young riders and the driver, too. They add comfort and increase safety. You can even look for models with extra cushioning!

Safety Gear

All riders should wear the correct gear while riding, but this is especially important for young passengers. They’ll need to wear the general gear, such as a helmet, eye protection, and gloves, but you may also consider having them wear a neck collar as well. UTV rides can be particularly bumpy, and a neck collar can reduce jostling and add protection in the case of an accident.

Set Rules and Teach Safety

Possibly the most important thing you can do to keep your child safe is to create UTV rules and teach them about safe riding practices. A few examples might include teaching about the importance of gear and following posted signs.

Trail riding can be a very fun family activity, especially when everyone stays safe. Visit us in Sioux Falls, SD, to learn more about safe riding. We proudly serve Watertown, Brookings, and Vermillion.