Off-road vehicle safety

JIM ALTENBURG, right, instructs an off-road vehicle safety class sponsored by Michigan Trails and Recreation Alliance of Land and the Environment on Oct. 19 in Ontonagon. Altenburg, vice president of MI-TRALE, and group board member Kim Sims, taught four students from ages 9 to 24 ORV safety including state laws, requirements of riders, safety gear and inspections, techniques to ensure a safe ride and other aspects. The seven-hour course featured classroom instruction and a hands-on example of a pre-ride safety check. "I was delighted to have Sims' support conducting the class and to have such attentive students," Altenburg said. "It is so rewarding to be able to share knowledge about this sport that I enjoy with people who want to learn." All four students passed the class. MI-TRALE hopes to offer its next safety class in spring 2014. For more information, visit mi-trale.org.