Dirt bike ban for kids?
Should children be banned from riding dirt bikes and mini quads? Child advocates and doctors say there should be an age limitOn a balmy weekend in mid September, 2011, the Princess Margaret Hospital in Perth saw 11 children hospitalised after incidents involving dirt bikes and ATVs.
One of the senior doctors at the children's hospital, Dr Gary Geelhoed, said that children don't have the strength to ride dirt bikes and ATVs. He stated that there should be an age limit for kids who want to ride, or at least tougher constraints.
Sue Wicks, general manager for Kidsafe WA, believes kids should be banned outright from riding. She told the West Australian newspaper that children aged 16 or younger should not be allowed to operate dirt bikes or ATVs - even though it is currently legal to do so on private property.
Wicks added that the ban on kids riding motorised off-road vehicles should also extend to competitive riding and motorsport events.
What are your thoughts on kids riding off-road bikes or ATVs? Would you buy your child a dirt bike or is the risk too great? Have your say in the comments section below.
The Princess Margaret Hospital's Dr Geelhoed revealed that this year alone, more than 80 children had been admitted to the Princess Margaret Hospital in Perth after suffering injuries from dirt bike of ATV related incidents.
Kids as young as four had been taken to the Perth-based children's hospital with injuries and Dr Geelhoed believes the numbers are too high.
Nevertheless, 'fun' bikes, mini quads and ATVs are selling strongly in Australia, and are some of the best-selling vehicles in their respective market segments.
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