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August 22, 2002
For Immediate Release
Contact: Tom Lindsay
Phone: (614) 856-1900
Fax: (614) 856-1920
AMA/ATVA Challenge Attacks on All-Terrain Vehicles
 PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Groups that are attacking the safety
record of all-terrain vehicles are ignoring vital data
concerning these popular off-highway vehicles, reports the
American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and All-Terrain
Vehicle Association (ATVA). And in doing so, ATV critics have
tried to make an improving safety record look like just the
opposite.
A coalition of groups made up of the Consumer Federation of
America, the Natural Trails and Waters Coalition, the
Bluewater Network and others has called for tighter federal
and state regulation of ATVs, including a total ban on all ATV
use by riders under the age of 16, saying that there has been
a "hidden epidemic" of ATV-related injuries. But in fact, the
numbers cited by the groups actually show that ATV use is
getting safer.
In a press conference and orchestrated media campaign, the
anti-ATV groups charged that between 1993 and 2001, the number
of injuries related to ATV use more than doubled. But the
group failed to note that during that same period, the number
of ATVs in use in the United States nearly tripled, to about 7
million today. That means an individual ATV operator was
actually much less likely to be injured in 2001.
"These groups are conveniently ignoring the remarkable growth
in ATV sales in recent years," said ATVA Director Doug Morris.
"Simply put, there's been a tremendous increase in the number
of people riding ATVs, and on a per-rider basis, the sport is
much safer today than it was a decade or more ago."
Morris noted that in 1988, the ATV industry entered into a
consent decree with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) that the federal agency said would result in
"far-reaching and comprehensive relief designed to reduce the
risk of injury associated with ATV usage." That agreement
included an end to the sale of three-wheeled ATVs, age
restrictions for those operating ATVs, safety information on
the vehicle as well as in the owner's manual and an ATV safety
public awareness campaign. Most importantly, though, it
resulted in the creation of a nationwide rider-training
program available free of charge to all new ATV buyers. And
even though the consent decree expired in 1998, ATV
manufacturers voluntarily continue to follow the agreement.
In calling for the nationwide ban on ATV use by those under
the age of 16, the anti-ATV groups charged that this sweeping
measure is necessary because of problems that result when
children attempt to handle larger, more powerful ATVs. But
Morris pointed out that under the longstanding agreement
between the ATV industry and the federal agency, only the
smallest ATVs--those with engines displacing 90cc or
less--have been sold for use by riders in that age group.
In addition, Morris questioned the motivation behind some of
the groups involved in this attack on ATVs. He noted that the
Natural Trails and Waters Coalition and the Bluewater Network
have never had any involvement with or interest in ATV safety.
Instead, their agenda is to block access to public lands for
ATV riders and others involved in motorized recreation.
"Including these anti-access organizations in this coalition
makes for an odd alliance at the very least," said Morris,
"since the interests of two of the coalition partners are in
eliminating ATVs, not making them safer."
Morris noted that the AMA, the ATVA and other
motorized-recreation groups will continue to support the ATV
industry's ongoing efforts to make ATV riding safer.
"The ATVA is a strong supporter of riders getting training,
wearing proper riding gear and obeying all laws as part of a
comprehensive safety effort," Morris said. "The ATVA also very
strongly supports close adult supervision of children riding
proper-sized ATVs. I invite groups concerned about ATV safety
to work with the ATVA to take steps that improve safety."
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