NOHVA Parade Guidelines
By Dan Nitzel, NOHVA Business Manager

Summer is just around the corner and it sounds like several of our chapters will be participating in a parade.  A parade is a great way to get some exposure in your local community.  It also provides an activity for ATV riders to participate in and is a great family activity. 

As with any kind of event and as with a parade, there must be a responsible person or persons in charge of the event.  The primary goals of any parade is to set a good example for others to follow in the community, and attract others to our organization. 

It is important to remember that state law allows ATVs to ride on a street or road to participate in a parade if a local government subdivision gives permission.  While ATV riders have permission to operate their ATV on a street in order to participate in the parade, this does not mean that they have free reign to ride anywhere before, during or after the parade. 
          Some times, riders who participate in parades think that it’s a great time to “show off” their skills to others in the community.  This can result in un-acceptable behavior. 

          In a parade, it is simply not appropriate to attempt feats of wonder and awe with your machine.  If you have the mistaken impression that someone may be impressed with your physical prowess or machine's ability to withstand abuse under the control of an idiot, then you should reconsider your participation in a parade.

          In any parade, it is very important for people to work together closely and cooperatively to achieve a safe and enjoyable experience, and to project an image of responsible behavior.  The less consideration for the safety and enjoyment of all participants there is on the part of individuals, the greater risk there is to all.

Fools who act as though they are accountable only to their own selfish desires of thrill and excitement are a blight to any group.  This is especially true of such participants in the ATV community.  Irresponsible actions by riders doing stunts such as wheelies, cookies and drag racing in parking areas and on the parade route, or may have an improper exhaust system, demonstrate a complete lack of safety and appropriate consideration for the community as a whole.

          While we want people to participate in parades, if the NOHVA banner is used or if the NOHVA name is to be the least bit associated with the event, here are the rules:

          Riders will NOT perform any stunts such as spinning cookies, performing wheelie’s, or stoppies.  This is not a place for people to “lay a patch of rubber” or spin tires.  Anyone who performs any stunts before, during or after the parade will be told to load up their machine.  If someone refuses to comply, then the offender should be arrested.

          There will be no drag racing or racing of any kind before, during and after the parade.  Remember that a parade is intended to set a good example to others and attract others to our organization.  Anyone who races or tries to exhibit unacceptable feats of speed or skill before, during or after the parade will be asked to load up their machine. 

          All machines should have decent exhausts and riders should keep the “revving of engines” to a minimum.

          All riders will wear appropriate helmets.  Riders will not be allowed to ride in shorts and sandals, and must have shirts on.  Please no shirts with profanity or pornographic images.  People should not be riding double unless the machine is specifically designed for two people.

          Small children should not be allowed to ride adult sized machines during the parade.  While they may be ‘cute’ on an ATV or dirtbike, if an accident should happen it will make state-wide news and our name and the event organizers name will be highlighted.   

If riders want to perform feats of wonder, wheelies, stunts, or race, then arrange a safe place for people to do this after the parade at a location away from the parade route.   This could be an organized event and spectators may be interested in watching.  A safe place to hold events of this kind is an area where people can ride and not crash into immovable objects such as trees and poles, and will not be able to crash into spectators.   The spectators need to be at least 30 feet away from events and a fence should be separating them.  For more information about events, check out the article in this newsletter concerning NOHVA chapter events guidelines. 

          If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me on the phone at 308-381-2143 or via email at danno@nohva.com .  

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This page was updated on Sunday, March 01, 2009