DATE:     10/15/02  
CONTACT:  Randy Cubbage, (803) 484-5416; rcbbge@clemson.edu  
WRITER:   Tom Lollis, (803) 284-3343; tlollis@clemson.edu  

Extension and industry to show  
how to ride ATVs, bicycles safely  

     BISHOPVILLE -- An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or a bicycle can be an
accident waiting to happen, no matter how careful the rider is.
     "Some attention paid up front, however, can go a long way toward
possibly saving a life or preventing an injury," said Randy Cubbage,
Clemson Extension agent in Lee County.
     To show young people and adults how to ride ATVs and bicycles
safely, Extension offices in Lee, Kershaw and Sumter counties have
scheduled an event for Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the I-20 Motor
Sports Facility south of I-20 on U.S. Highway 15 in Lee County.
     "We will have a Quad Wars demonstration - races featuring riders
on ATVs that have been souped up for speed," said Cubbage. A group of
8-10 ATV riders representing Renegade Racing in Camden will perform in
several segments.
     "We'll have three short races and skits, while others will do
stunt riding," he said. "We won't turn anyone away. Folks from all over
the state are invited."
     Joe Ard of the law enforcement division of the Department of
Natural Resources will be on hand to talk about safety with ATVs.
     For youngsters not interested in ATVs, Extension 4-H agents and
volunteers will run a bicycle safety rodeo concurrently with the ATV
event.
     "We don't want anyone to bring their own ATV or bicycle on Nov.
16," said Cubbage. "We will provide all the four-wheelers and
two-wheelers that will be used during the event."
     Admission is free and refreshments will be available at a nominal
charge.
     "I encourage parents to bring youngsters who will be riding ATVs
and bicycles to this event," said Charles Privette III, Extension farm
safety specialist. "The more they learn about proper procedures, the
less likely they are to be injured."
     He pointed out that injuries and deaths on ATVs have been on the
rise ever since the vehicles came to market more than 30 years ago. The
Consumer Federation of America has reported that more than 111,000
Americans were injured while riding ATVs between 1993 and 2001, 34,800
of them under the age of 16. About 4,500 Americans were killed, at
least 1,700 of them children under 16.
     Conducting the safety event are: Clemson Extension, local law
enforcement, Lee County EMS, the Department of Natural Resources, and
the Ashwood Fire Department. Sponsors include: Extreme Sports of
Sumter, Honda of Florence and Woody's Cycles of Florence.
     In case of rain, the makeup date will be Nov. 23 at the same
location.
     For more information, call Extreme Sports in Sumter at (803)
905-7766. Ask for Dick Davis or Tony Smith.
                              END