Tips for Riding ATVs & UTVs Responsibly

For many, riding ATVs and side-by-sides is all about having fun offroad adventures. But with that fun should also come a sense of responsibility to yourself, to others and to the environment you ride in. 

When riding offroad, doing it safely is of course the most important part of your responsibility. However, there’s a little more to it than just safety to consider. Here are some tips for riding ATVs and UTV’s responsibly.

Wear Offroad Safety Gear

Safety and responsibility go hand-in-hand, so wearing the appropriate riding safety gear is of course one of the many ways to ride any offroad vehicle responsibly. 

That includes wearing a helmet to protect your head from collisions, falls and branches, and goggles to protect your eyes from dirt, mud and flying debris. You’ll also want to protect yourself with other offroad riding gear like gloves, boots, and chest and back protectors. 

Know Your Trails

Knowing where you’re going and what you may find along the way is essential to riding ATVs and side-by-sides responsibly, particularly when it comes to navigating rough terrain.

If you’re not sure what you’re getting yourself into with a particular trail, it’s best to avoid it altogether. Riding a trail you know nothing about can get you stuck, lost or who knows what else. You’ll want to know what kinds of obstacles you may encounter, such as dangerous river crossings, wildlife and vegetation. Find out what’s up first, or find somewhere else to ride.

Ride Carefully 

When tackling slopes or uneven terrain, it’s important to know how to approach it, and what maneuvers to make or avoid to prevent your ATV or UTV from tipping or rolling over. 

Keep a slow, steady speed with both feet firmly placed on the footrests, and lean into inclines to balance your center of gravity. Don’t make any drastic changes in your direction and speed, as this can increase the likelihood of throwing your vehicle (and you with it) off. When riding uphill while seated, shift your weight forward and when going downhill, shift your weight to the rear. If your vehicle starts to tip or roll over and you can’t course correct, jump off as far away from it as possible, not in front of or directly beside it.

Overloading an ATV or side-by-side is a common cause of accidents. Weight distribution is crucial to a safe ride, so when you load up cargo, make sure the weight of everything (including yourself and/or your passengers) is evenly distributed to maintain balance.

Don’t Ride on Paved Roads

ATVs and UTVs are built strictly for off-road use. So unless your machine is DOT-approved, never ride it on a paved or public road other than when necessary at trail crossings. 

ATV and UTV tires aren’t designed for riding on pavement, and doing so could potentially put you and others in danger. Pavement negatively affects vehicle handling, and the deeper and wider grooves of offroad tires aren’t meant to ride over that type of surface. Riding on public roads also increases the possibility of colliding with other vehicles, so be a responsible rider and abide by local regulations about using public roads. 

Don’t Attempt to Ride Beyond Your Abilities

Inexperience is one of the most common causes of offroad riding accidents, since there’s a tendency for amateurs to try to show off before they’ve mastered the controls and handling of their machine. 

Don’t be that show-off going too fast over unfamiliar terrain, or trying to pull off dangerous stunts to impress friends. Just because a UTV has a similar setup to a car or truck with a steering wheel, and one pedal for accelerating and one for braking, doesn’t mean you’ll automatically know what you’re doing. Whether it’s a UTV or ATV, you should get plenty of experience learning how to handle one safely on private property before venturing out on public trails.

Riding through terrain you and/or your offroad machine aren’t equipped to handle is incredibly irresponsible and dangerous. That’s especially true for racing ATVs and side-by-sides and trying to do tricks on them, so leave the stunt driving to the pros.

Ride Carefully in the Dark

Going offroad in the dark makes it hard to see obstacles such as trees and rocks, as well as other vehicles. Check that the headlights and spotlights on your machine work before you go riding at night.  

To avoid collisions in the dark, ride at a slow and steady speed. You always want to pay attention to the path directly in front of you, especially in the dark, as your line of sight is drastically reduced. 

Always keep your ATV or side-by-side’s headlights clean so you’ll be able to stop within the distance provided by the beam. And only ride trails you’re familiar with so you can anticipate obstacles. It’s also recommended you wear reflective apparel to make yourself more visible to others.

Practice Trail Etiquette

When sharing a public trail, being a responsible rider includes not only taking into consideration the safety of others, but also having courtesy. If you’re going to pass other riders, make sure you warn them first. And if another rider intends to pass you, slow down, keep to the right and allow them to pass.

Courtesy isn’t limited to just other riders. Trail etiquette should also be extended to private property owners, trail visitors and campers. If you’re going pass through private property, always ask permission from the owner first before proceeding. As for others, never ride around camping, picnicking, or residential areas. If you come across unexpected crowds or camp sites, keep your vehicle’s speed, noise and general disturbance to a minimum.

To reduce noise, four-wheelers should be tuned up, and have mufflers, spark arrestors and any other silencers installed. Excess noise can disturb wildlife, private property owners and recreational visitors alike, so be a responsible rider and make your ATV or UTV as quiet as possible. 

Additional Tips for Responsible ATV/UTV Riding

• Obey all trail markers and closure signs, no matter what. If the sign(s) say stay out, then stay out.
• Keep wheel spins to a minimum to avoid tearing up the track or trail. 
• Use the buddy system for backup in case you get lost, or your machine gets stuck or breaks down. 
• When using a tree as an anchor for winching, use a tree saver strap to avoid damaging the trunk.
• Don’t drink and drive. You already know it’s illegal, irresponsible and dangerous, but what you may not know is that you may also be charged with a DUI on an ATV or side by side.
• Stay on designated paths, and avoid riding in or near protected wildlife areas.
• Avoid spooking horses, cattle, and any other animals that could injure you or others while scared.
• Get familiar with local laws and regulations, which vary from state-to-state, to avoid any legal issues.

Finally, carry trash bags on your vehicle to properly dispose of your own waste and any garbage left behind by others. It’s always good trail etiquette and responsible riding to leave the area you’re using just as clean or even cleaner than you found it.