Alaska Safe Riders reminder: Stay alert

Alaska Safe Riders here bringing you all-purpose vehicle safety messages thanks to the MEA Charitable Foundation and your local hometown paper..

Remember Alaska is a wild place, and sometimes so is our weather. Make sure your ATV has working lights and reflectors, especially when riding on or crossing roads. Visibility matters, even in the backcountry. Stay lit, stay alert and be seen and safe.

July is ATV safety awareness month in Alaska. The state attracts residents and visitors from around the globe to enjoy world-class outdoor recreation, often by off-road vehicles. Because our state also has the highest rate of traumatic brain and other unintentional injuries and fatalities related to off-road vehicle use, Alaska’s Governor Mike Dunleavy has declared this ATV / All-Purpose Off-Road Vehicle Safety Awareness Month.

Take the time to learn the rules of the trails in the areas you like to ride. Plus how to operate your machine safely.

You’ll find online training along with a host of other training tips and opportunities at alaskasaferiders.org.

Always ride smart. Ride safe. Wear a helmet. Be sure to check back next week for more trail and safety tips right here.