The ATV Safety Institute hosted its first-ever Autumn ATV Safety Week event yesterday near Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, giving national media outlets the opportunity to experience the nationally recognized, hands-on ATV RiderCourse and speak with key staff members.

ASI instructors and ASI Executive Vice President Paul Vitrano were on hand with several ATVs, two riding ranges, and a scenic trail located on the green rolling hills of a small farm in Sykesville, Md. Joining national media outlets were a local father and his two daughters, demonstrating a pair of age-specific, youth-model ATVs.

"The ASI looks forward to making this an annual safety-promoting event, and to instituting a yearly Spring ATV Safety Week as well, delivering key safety messages at times of the year when ATV sales and riding traditionally go up," said Vitrano.  "ATV Safety Week will further the ASI's primary goal of promoting the safe and responsible use of ATVs, thereby reducing crashes and injuries that result from improper operation by the rider."  This is the latest in a number of public awareness initiatives conducted by ASI since 1988.
 
The ASI launched this week-long campaign as yet another opportunity to spread ASI member company safety messages to existing and potential ATV riders through national and local media outlets. In addition to yesterday’s RiderCourse, the ASI is mounting a multi-faceted, social media outreach that will highlight the importance of taking the ATV RiderCourse, the ASI’s free online eCourse, and the ASI’s Golden Rules of ATV Riding, with links to ATV safety videos, PSAs and collateral, links to ASI’s “Do The Ride Thing” contest submission videos and more.
 
The ASI looks forward to making this an annual safety-promoting event, and to instituting a yearly Spring ATV Safety Week as well, with the idea of delivering key safety messages at times of the year when ATV sales and riding traditionally go up. This is the latest in a number of public awareness initiatives conducted by the ASI going back to 1988.
 
"Experiencing the 16 exercises of the ASI RiderCourse under the guidance of highly experienced licensed instructors provides a first-hand perspective about the importance of making your first ride an ASI RiderCourse and to make the right choices when out on the trails," Vitrano said. “It was great to have our guests go from being somewhat apprehensive to having fun on the ATVs, after getting the proper safety instruction. We hope to provide the hands-on experience of the ASI ATV RiderCourse to as many mainstream media as we can to help spread the word about the importance of training."
 
The Specialty Vehicle Institute of America promotes the safe and responsible use of all-terrain vehicles through rider training, public awareness campaigns and state legislation. Additionally, the SVIA works to preserve access to off-road lands and expand riding opportunities. The SVIA is a resource for ATV research, statistics and vehicle standards. Accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the SVIA develops standards for the equipment, configuration and performance requirements of ATVs.

Based in Irvine, Calif., the SVIA is a not-for-profit industry association sponsored by Arctic Cat, BRP, Honda, Kawasaki, KYMCO, Polaris, Suzuki and Yamaha. Visit the SVIA online at www.svia.org. For safety information or to enroll in the ATV RiderCourseSM nearest you, visit www.atvsafety.org or call (800) 887-2887.

The All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute develops rider training programs and promotes the safe and responsible use of ATVs. The ASI works to reduce crashes and injuries resulting from improper ATV use. Formed in 1988, the ASI is a not-for-profit division of the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America. For safety information or to enroll in the ATV RiderCourse nearest you, visit www.atvsafety.org or call (800) 887-2887.