What Makes a Good Kids Side by Side? How To Keep Them Safe
- on June 06, 2023
- Categories: Articles
Enjoying the great outdoors with your family is a great way to strengthen relationships. It’s also the perfect way to keep an eye on your kids and make sure they’re staying out of trouble. You can always have your kids ride with the adults on a full-sized UTV, but there may be times when they want to feel like they’re in control. For this reason, many parents choose to invest in a kids side by side or another type of motorized children’s vehicle.
It’s natural to get nervous when purchasing a side by side for kids. There are so many things that can go wrong when you’re off-roading. The good news is that kids UTVs are manufactured to be safe. There are also features you can look for in youth side by side vehicles to give you greater peace of mind.
What To Look for in a Kids Side by Side
When shopping for a side by side your kids can use, there are some things you should look for. These extra features can help keep your children safe while they ride.
4- or 5-Point Harnesses
For adults, a standard 3-point harness is just fine when riding in a UTV. This is the standard harness that crosses over your lap and chest and buckles to the side. But for children, a 4- or 5-point harness will provide better protection for their smaller frames because it is more secure than a 3-point harness.
The more advanced aftermarket harnesses are surprisingly easy to install if you want to add one after you buy the vehicle. But if you can find a UTV that already has this type of harness, it will save you time and money.
Whether you choose a 4- or 5-point harness, you'll make a rough ride in a kids side by side much more comfortable. Many parents love the peace of mind they get from knowing their children are riding as safely as possible with a highly secure safety harness. For extra comfort, look for harnesses with padded straps.
Child Safety Gear
While you’re shopping for a side by side for kids, don’t forget to invest in the appropriate safety gear at the same time. Kids are lightweight, which makes UTV rides much bumpier for them than for adults. To protect their heads from banging on the side of the UTV while they’re driving, invest in a good helmet. Look for a helmet that fits your child snuggly and secures under the chin. A helmet is also required by law in most states for drivers or passengers under 18. It could mean the difference between life and death if your child gets into an accident while riding their side by side.
There are other types of safety gear you may also want to consider. Though goggles aren’t required by law, they’re an essential piece of personal protection equipment because they protect the eyes and keep visibility clear (especially in dusty conditions). Gloves and boots are optional pieces of safety gear to purchase for your child.
UTV Handholds
When buying a side by side for kids, make sure there are UTV handholds available. These are handles located on the inside door of the vehicle. They are for passengers to hold onto when traveling over rough terrain so they don’t bounce around as much. If you don’t like the handholds that come with a kids' UTV, consider upgrading to a higher-quality aftermarket option.
Wrist Straps
Besides handholds, there are also kill switch wrist straps you can purchase to provide another layer of protection for your child. These wrist straps fasten to the child’s wrist with velcro. The other end attaches to the kill switch on the kids side by side. If the child falls off the vehicle, it triggers the kill switch and immediately shuts down the engine so the engine doesn’t continue to go.
Parental Controls
Parental controls are cutting-edge features that can now be found on some side by side models for kids. Parental controls give parents some degree of control over the child’s UTV, even if they aren’t right next to them. For example, parental controls might allow parents to set geofences so kids can only ride in specified areas. Geofences can turn the engine off if the driver strays outside of predetermined areas. Geofences can also help parents control the maximum speed the UTV will reach when a child is riding it.
Some parental controls give parents the ability to shut down the engine from a distance with a quick push of a button on a controller or smartphone app. This feature could come in handy if a child loses control of the side by side and doesn’t know how to shut it off. These features give parents unimaginable peace of mind while allowing their children the freedom to have fun and explore on their own, which helps them grow.
Helmet BlueTooth Capabilities
Some new side by side models for kids come with high-tech helmets with additional safety features. The helmets connect to the vehicle via Bluetooth technology. If the side by side detects that the helmet is not in the driver’s seat, it will turn off. This helps ensure children don’t ride without wearing a helmet at all times.
Additional Tips To Keep Kids Safe While Riding
In addition to buying a side by side that’s safe for kids to ride, there are other things you can do to keep your kids safe. They include:
- Learn and follow local ATV and UTV regulations
- Know the weight limit for your particular vehicle
- Choose a UTV that’s the right size and power for your child
- Ensure the harness fits appropriately
- Make sure your child only rides with adult supervision
