Enter Idaho OHV sweepstakes to win a new Polaris Sportsman 500 ATV; contest open only to Idaho residents

Hi all,

For the spring campaign of the Idaho OHV Public Outreach Campaign, we're dangling a very cool carrot to make sure OHV users are aware of our campaign and web site, http://stayontrails.com.

The carrot is an ATV sweepstakes that's launching today and running through June 1, 2013. The winner will receive a brand new Polaris Sportsman 500 ATV, a great all-around trail machine and one of the best-selling ATVs available on the market today. The Polaris Sportsman 500 ATV retails for $6,299.

If you'd like to participate, go to our Facebook page and click on the ATV Sweepstakes tab or click on the photo of the Yellow Sign that says "Enter to Win" and follow the web link to the sweepstakes entry page.

Follow the directions to enter the contest. You must "like" the Facebook page to participate in the contest, then you fill out your name and information, and click "Enter Now" to submit your entry.

Among other things, the contest rules indicate that:
1. You must be an Idaho resident to participate in the contest.
2. You have to be 18 years of age or older to participate.
3. Contest entries are limited to one entry per person.
4. Employees of the agencies involved in the Idaho OHV Public Outreach Campaign can not participate in the contest.

We hope that you'll consider participating in the contest! Tell your friends! And remember to do your part by riding safe and responsibly out there on Idaho's public lands and stay on designated trails.

We want to thank Carl's Cycles for being our sweepstakes partner for this year's contest.

The contest winner will be announced soon after the contest ends on June 1. The winner will be able to choose the color of the Polaris 500 they wish to receive. The Polaris 500 is available in white, red and sage green.

Thanks!

$10,000 up for grabs in "Do the Ride Thing" video contest

How creative are you with a video camera? How about your kids?

With the busy summer riding season upon us, the ATV Safety Institute (ASI) is sponsoring a “Do the Ride Thing” video contest, open to kids aged 6-18. The deadline for entries is Sept. 6, 2010. Ten prizes are up for grabs totaling $10,000 in value.

The winning videos will be used as 30-second and 60-second public service announcements (PSAs) by ASI.

Here's an example of a 60-second PSA on ASI's web site.

"What better way to motivate and inform people – especially kids and their parents – about the safe and responsible use of all-terrain vehicles than to have kids create videos that highlight one or more of the ATV Safety Institute’s Golden Rules?” said Paul Vitrano, executive vice president of ASI.

“By harnessing the social networking power of YouTube, it gives kids the opportunity to ‘Do the Ride Thing’ and help other kids ride safe/ride smart."

To enter, kids should create a 30- or 60-second video/PSA, upload it to YouTube, and submit an entry form on the ASI website. For official video content requirements, rules and entry forms, visit the ASI web site.

First-place winners will earn $1,100, and there is a grand prize of $2,500 for the best overall video.

Background:There are nearly 10 million ATVs in use across the United States, being operated by more than 35 million Americans. Many ATV owners share their ATVs so it is essential that riders and non-riders alike understand the importance of the safe and responsible use of ATVs.

This summer season is a time when children have more free time to enjoy many activities, including riding ATVs. Nearly 90 percent of youth ATV-related injury incidents occur when a youth is operating an ATV manufactured and intended for use by an adult.

Parental supervision is a key element to a child's safety. Children under the age of 16 must be supervised at all times when operating an ATV. Parents literally hold the key to their children’s safety, ASI officials said. Every ATV has an ignition key, and when a parent or guardian controls the key, they control the use.

Consumer Product Safety Commission data show that 92 percent of all ATV-related fatalities are the result of warned-against behaviors. The ATV Safety Institute has eight Golden Rules of ATV safety that address these behaviors and apply to all riders.

If you submit a video, it should be focused on one of the golden rules.

The ATV Safety Institute's Golden Rules:
1. Always wear a helmet and other protective gear.

2. Never ride on public roads -- another vehicle could hit you.*
3. Never ride under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
4. Never carry a passenger on a single-rider vehicle, nor more than an operator and passenger on an ATV designed for two persons.
5. Ride an ATV that's suitable for your age.
6. Supervise riders younger than 16; ATVs are not toys.
7. Ride only on designated trails and at a safe speed.
8. Take an ATV safety course. The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation offers safety courses throughout the year.

*The ASI recognizes that some states, such as Idaho, allow ATVs to ride on public roads in national forests.

Best of luck in the contest!
- SS