'No helmet, no ride': How an ATV group is putting safety first - Action News
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NLFatal Fun

'No helmet, no ride': How an ATV group is putting safety first

While Fatal Fun, a CBC investigation into all-terrain vehicle deaths, has shown that the machines can be dangerous, a group of riders in eastern Newfoundland says it's possible to enjoy ATVs safely by taking certain precautions.

Group founder Dean Layman says the rules and regulations reign supreme with Avalon ATV

Dean Layman, the founder of Avalon ATV, says people have to wear helmets to ride with his group. (Sherry Vivian/CBC)

On a sunny morning in late October, about a dozen all-terrain vehicle riders from eastern Newfoundland got ready for a family-fun ride in the woods.

For the Avalon ATV Facebook group, it's all about safety first.

"I started this in September, to just get out and enjoy the countryside," said group founder Dean Layman.

He says for a run like this, they'll plan for a particular day and time, post it online in the group, and whoever shows up,shows up.

Layman says he loves the feeling of freedom when he's out in the wilderness on his ATV. (Sherry Vivian/CBC)

"We see some water, we play in it. We see some mud, we play in it. We get dirty. Have fun. Like a kid at a candy store," Layman said.

For this ride, the group planned to take some kids along, and to take it easy: a ride from Northern Pond Road, across from Paddy's Pond just outside of St. John's along some muddy trails and into the woods near Cochrane Pond, for a boil-up in a little clearing.

Midday, with the sun beating down amongthe tall trees, Layman says this is why he started Avalon ATV.

"Enjoying it with my boy, with friends, [and making] new ones," he said."Have a laugh."

Riders from Avalon ATV take a pit stop for a boil-up in the woods, with hamburgers and hot dogs, beans, bacon and tea. (Jen White/CBC)

But it's not all fun and games when using these machines. Layman says he knows first-hand how they can be dangerous.

He's seen accidentsthat he says could be caused by any number of factors: speed, a tire blowing out, or someone not knowing the road or how to properly handle an ATV.

Avalon ATV puts safety first

6 years ago
Duration 2:10
As you've heard throughout Fatal Fun, a CBC investigation into ATV accidents in Atlantic Canada, the machines can be dangerous. But a group of riders from eastern Newfoundland is making safety its main priority.

But Layman says it ispossible to enjoy ATVssafely if you take certain precautions.

There is one main point that is steadfast for Avalon ATV.

"[Wearing a] helmet is a big thing: no helmet, no ride," Layman said, noting that he has turned riders away from a planned run if they showed up without one.

"That's the rules and regulations over everything. You got to have a helmet.People [are] after dying on them, for the simple fact: no helmet."

Some of the Avalon ATV riders have the group's logo on their machines. (Sherry Vivian/CBC)

Safety first

Wearing a helmet and bright safety vest, rider Kim Kelly is new to ATVs and the group.

Safety is, first and foremost, a priority for her.

"For me personally, it's definitely a determining factor for joining the group," she said.

Fatal Fun, a CBC investigation into ATV accidents in Atlantic Canada,found that over the past six years, there have been more than 178 fatalities from ATV or snowmobile accidents.

"It's frightening. It's jarring. There are so many ATV accidents that you hear about," Kelly said.

"For people who are new riders, as I am if you're with people who can teach them how to ride, keeping in mind speed and the factors and the terrain that you're riding on practise safe practices, wear your helmet,you can be safe on a bike."

'Pure joy'

Being out on her ATV for a run out in the elements, away from technology is "pure joy," saidKelly.

"We're at an age where there's so much information coming at us all the time, that you're out there, and you're just taking it all in. Breathing the fresh air. It's beautiful. I love it. Absolutely love it," she said.

New rider Kim Kelly says she loves getting out for a ride on her ATV. (Sherry Vivian/CBC)

"The wind, the rain, the dirt, the mud. It's absolutely awesome."

Layman, meanwhile, says he loves the feeling of freedom out in the wilderness.

He has some some advice for anyone going out on an ATV ride.

"Know where you're going, and be prepared," Layman said.

"Any run I go on, I have a first aid kit. You don't know what could happen."

Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador