Born To Ride News

Online beta program was launched June 2009 to provide an additional learning experience that enhances ATV rider safety

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 20, 2010 – Last June, the ATV Safety Institute (ASI) unveiled a suite of free interactive online safety courses on its website (http://www.atvsafety.org/).   Since then, more than 5,000 all-terrain vehicle riders and prospective enthusiasts went online to participate in the beta training program.  The online courses will move from beta to production at the end of Q1 2010.

The ASI ATV Safety Online courses are custom-designed for specific target audiences: adult, teen (12-15 years old) and youth (6-11 years old). The adult e-course also includes tips and advice for parents and guardians to coach and supervise youth throughout their ongoing learning process.

In the first six months of the beta program ending December 2009, enrollees in the e-courses included 3,672 adults, 1,009 teens and 445 children. ASI’s goal in providing the interactive online courses is to complement traditional ASI training offerings with a convenient, 24/7 Internet option.

“We realize how critical the Internet is to the educational process, and what an essential communications tool it is for American families today,” said Paul Vitrano, executive vice president, ASI. “We’re very pleased with the strong response to the beta-launch of ASI’s e-Learning courses. Day or night, weekdays or weekends, adults, teens and children can prepare in advance for the hands-on ATV RiderCourse or brush up on skills and safety information after taking the course. The combination of the ATV RiderCourse and online e-courses provides an expanded learning experience that enhances rider safety.”

Each self-paced ATV Safety Online course runs about two hours and focuses on ASI’s Golden Rules and the fundamentals of the ATV itself and riding, with an emphasis on risk management and avoidance. The online courses include real-riding-experience videos from a rider’s point of view, animation, and interactive learning exercises and quizzes to self-test knowledge gained

To engage teenagers and children 6 to 11 years of age, the ASI e-courses are introduced by avid ATV riders Christopher and Kyle Massey, stars of the Disney Channel TV shows “That’s So Raven” and “Cory in the House” and the Nickelodeon show “Zoey 101.” Their mother, Angel Massey, implores parents and guardians in the adult e-course to supervise their children while riding, as she does when riding with Christopher and Kyle. 

The ASI online safety courses were designed in conjunction with CraneMorley (http://www.cranemorley.com/) and the current beta versions have won three international awards in the creative industry.

The ATV Safety Institute’s Golden Rules:
1. Always wear a helmet and other protective gear.
2. Never ride on public roads — another vehicle could hit you.
3. Never ride under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
4. Never carry a passenger on a single-rider vehicle.
5. Ride an ATV that’s right for your age.
6. Supervise riders younger than 16; ATVs are not toys.
7. Ride only on designated trails and at a safe speed.
8. Take an ATV RiderCourse; call toll-free at 800.887.2887, and take the free E-Course at www.atvsafety.org.

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^SM nearest you, visit www.atvsafety.org or call (800) 887-2887.

#  #  #

If you never been you owe it to yourself to go at least once … Rolling Thunder.

There are lots of ways to get there. There is the Ride to the Wall-Southern Style, the Auto-Train, ship your bike and fly, ride up with my Chapter. We usually stay overnight in Florence, SC on Thursday night and ride into DC on Friday. The candlelight vigil is Friday night, Saturday can be as full of things to do as you like. We usually participate in the TAPs program for the children. There are visits to Ft Washington Harley, Arlington, Walter Reed, there is a program at the Lincoln Memorial; there is a vendor area near the Viet Nam Wall, lots of places to see and things to do. Sunday is ride day. It starts in the Pentagon Parking lot with a family reunion with about 500,000 of your favorite relatives and ends at the reflection pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial. That’s after the ride over Memorial Bridge and down Constitution Avenue, all this for a 15-20 minute ride. Why you say?  Because we are there to tell our elected officials we will never forget those still missing and unaccounted for. We will hold them accountable until the last one is accounted for.

Several folks are staying at the Crowne Plaza in Crystal City because Bo McCormick has worked a deal for free parking; and talking to the chef about a buffet setup for Saturday morning, Saturday evening and Sunday morning, like he did last year. I can’t remember what price he negotiated, but it was around $100 a night. If you double up it would only be $50. When you call ask for Rolling Thunder rates. The food costs are above the room costs, but were reasonable.

Our Chapter will be leaving early Thursday morning 27 May. Usually we head back on Monday morning (Memorial Day). I’m not sure if we are going over to ride the Dragon or head straight back. Regardless, you can’t get lost. Just point south and keep going til you see Tampa. I’ve ridden 301 a couple of times. It takes a little longer, but beats the Interstate.

It’s a great ride and a ton of fun. You won’t regret it. You have plenty of time to plan for it.

v/r

Jim Linesberry

President

Rolling Thunder

Florida Chapter 11

www.RollingThunderFL11.com