Hi seeler,

It depends upon the jurisdiction.  This document from 2012 can answer some of your questions.

http://www.parachutecanada.org/downloads/policy/All_Terrain_Vehicle_Legi...

I doubt it.  I think they are little more than portable death traps especially when children are operating them.

Grace and peace to you.

John

I think they have their place.  I have relatives in law that have them.  Some live on a farm, others an acreage.  They are almost neccessary at times.

My teenaged cousin drove my grandparents to the location for wedding photos.  Some of them would have had an extremely difficult time walking to them.  They all enjoyed the ride.

I think they can be used safely.  Rules and supervision are needed IMO.

Another term commonly used for them here - ATV (all terrian vehicle).  I think it's more official than 'quad' and you do hear people say they will go ATVing as well as quading.

I've been on one, but have never driven one myself.

Quad bikes are ER visits waiting to happen. They have impressive ground clearance, but the downside is this makes them top-heavy and prone to rollovers.

They also destroy trail systems. Quad bikes are the scourge of nature trail enthusiasts and mountain bikers. Mountain bikes can do a little damage in high traffic braking zones, but nothing like the trenches left by quad bikes. Here's a section of the Bruce Trail:

But, boys like them and talk about them all the time. I rode one years ago. They are fun, no doubt.

My personal philosophy is that any toy with an internal combustion engine is more trouble than it's worth. I can get in enough trouble with pedal power and gravity. My son will not be getting one. He will always have a good bicycle.

I put quads in the same category as snowmobiles, motorised trail bikes and high powered motor boats.  No doubt they each have uses - like pulling a trailer of farm produce - but they are not toys and I really think it should be illegal for children to use them.  Children just don't understand the dangers of high speeds - better for them tolearn that via a bicycle!

I miss our local trails and beauty spots that have been destroyed by these things.  I loathe having a peaceful trip to a lake ruined by folks playing with power boats and Seadoos.

I also grieve for the young people who have been killed or permanently injured when using a powerful 'toy'.  Once I almost hit an ATV that roared off a woodland trail while I was on a highway in a car.  It was being driven by a child of ten and had child passengers hanging on to it in a very dangerous way. Apparently it was a new gift for the driver's birthday. It is tempting to ask "Don't these kids have parents who love them?"

I agree Kay. I am pretty sure the Canadian paediatrics association has come out against them because of the extreme danger. I thought you needed to be 16to drive one. They can go so fast. Many kids killed by rolling them

That said I see them in the country driven by kids and I really cringe. If they are driving them as part of the family farm work, then it is slow and pulling stuff. But roaring through fields and trails they are dangerous

I'm also opposed - for all the reasons others state above.  I'm also against those "electric" cars for little kids - what do 3 and 4 year olds know about steering and cornering & braking - and anticipating hazards??  Why are we in such a rush to make adults of children?   Does not bode well I fear. 

On the upside Seeler - at least your grandson has the concept of saving figured out!  No doubt by the time he can afford a machine, he'll have moved on to other passions :-)  Quite possibly also involving engines!!

I agree with Chansen.

In PEI, youngsters used to hurtle around walking trails and even on edge-of-town streets on them. Their parents would sometimes amuse themselves by harassing wildlife with them, as if they were on snowmobiles.

One kid, doing around 50kph on the sidewalk, was killed when he rammed the side of a car backing from a driveway. Tthe driver was not charged but was blamed by many in the community for not looking. I think the parents should have been charged with deadly negligence. That's just my view.

In Ontario, we hear about the petrol-heads who run down geese on lakes with their jet-skis because they crap on their cottage lawns.

What is is with recreational power-toys in this country? Lakes, woods, trails… they roar in winter and summer, spring and fall with power bikes, power-boats, jet-skis, snowmobiles, quads, motorbikes…

There is a difference between ATVs and snowmobiles, though. Snowmobiles are inherently more stable. Snowmobiles merely kill their drivers when driven by morons over thin ice or into trees. ATVs/quad bikes are unsafe no matter the terrain. The difference is they feel safe, but they aren't. They give you a false sense of security because they are so easy to ride, but when they let go or tip, there is almost no warning.

People enjoy speed. I get that. I love flying down hills on skis or on bikes. The thrill is wonderful. I'm not a fan of the noise of a small engine (some V8s and larger sound terrific), but some like them. These toys have their place, and no amount of fist-shaking is going to get rid of them.

What you can do, is talk to local clubs about members and their habits. The offenders may not belong to a club, but word that they are being watched may filter down. Go talk to your town or local police as a last resort.