On September 27, 2024, students from grades 1-12 gathered for a day filled with fun, learning, and important lessons during the Let’s Champion Rider Safety® Day. The event, hosted by RideSafe Powered by BRP and sponsored by Nationwide, aimed to educate young riders on how to operate All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs) safely, while highlighting the importance of wearing helmets and proper safety gear. This is particularly important for rural communities like Roadrunner Country because ATV / UTV accidents are the leading cause of child fatalities on America’s farms. We want all of our Roadrunners to be safe while operating these vehicles.
We have a gallery of photos from the event below.
About RideSafe and the Event
RideSafe, a national 501(c)3 organization co-founded by Kristen Almer in memory of her nephew Logan, who tragically lost his life in an ATV accident, has a mission to reduce powersport-related injuries and fatalities. Through this campaign, RideSafe and Nationwide teamed up to bring world-class athletes, law enforcement officials, and certified safety instructors directly to schools, ensuring that students and their families understand how to ride responsibly.
The Let’s Champion Rider Safety® Day was divided into two sessions—grades 7 through 12 in the morning and grades K through 6 in the afternoon. The day started with an indoor presentation featuring stories and critical safety insights from professionals in the powersport industry. I-35 students enjoyed the high-energy, interesting program, which is designed to keep students engaged and make learning about safety both fun and memorable.
Hands-on Safety Education
Following the presentation, students participated in six interactive stations, each designed to cover different aspects of ATV, UTV, and dirt bike safety. From understanding the importance of wearing a helmet to learning about the terrain risks and the dangers of operating adult-sized vehicles, students gained hands-on experience from certified safety instructors. Key topics included:
- ATV and UTV General Safety: Focusing on proper gear, certification, vehicle maintenance, and safe driving practices.
- ATV and UTV Terrain Safety: Exploring the challenges of different terrains, slopes, and roadways, with a particular emphasis on rollover prevention.
- Moto and Helmet Stations: Teaching students the importance of proper gear and helmet fitting to prevent injury while riding.
The Impact of the Day
As part of the event, students were encouraged to ask questions and interact with professionals, giving them a unique opportunity to engage directly with the machines and experts in the field. A pre- and post-event survey was conducted to measure students’ knowledge of safe riding habits, with the hope that these lessons would leave a lasting impact on their understanding of powersports safety.
Looking Ahead
Nationwide and RideSafe remain dedicated to protecting young riders and educating them about safety. Events like Let’s Champion Rider Safety® Day not only save lives but also foster a culture of responsibility among youth. As ATV and UTV accidents continue to be a leading cause of child fatalities in rural and farm settings, the school is proud to have partnered with RideSafe and Nationwide to host such an impactful event.
For more information about RideSafe or to access additional safety resources, please visit [www.ridesafefoundation.org](http://www.ridesafefoundation.org). You can also explore Nationwide’s Let’s Champion Rider Safety® campaign [here](https://www.nationwide.com/lc/resources/farm-and-agribusiness/articles/why-atv-safety).
Gallery
2024 ATV Safety Day Gallery by Interstate 35 CSD. Photos taken by Lissa Marsolek.