Rough Rides

With the Christmas wrapping off, the compact motorbikes with balloon tires must have sent visions of roughriding adventure revving through tiny heads. But youngsters who roar off on their shiny new all-terrain vehicles had better watch out: the three- and four-wheelers can be fatal.

* Since 1982 about 1.3 million ATVs, costing $1,000 to $3,700, have been sold in the U.S., often for use by teens and tykes. Injuries from ATVs have bounded from 8,600 in 1982 to 85,900 in 1985, and there have been 559 deaths. Of those hurt or killed, 46% were under 16, and almost half of these were younger than twelve. Citing these figures, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is asking for an end to models for riders under twelve. "Children lack the strength, motor skills and perception to operate ATVs," says Nick Marchica, head of the commission's ATV task force.

Manufacturers say the agency's proposal would put children at greater risk. Without smaller machines, argues Alan Isley, president of the industry's trade group, "parents will ride double with their children or allow their kids to ride the adult machines -- both very dangerous practices." The American Academy of Pediatrics has a different criticism of the nonbinding CPSC request. Last November it called for an outright ban of ATVs for those under age 16. "For crying out loud," says Dr. Joseph Greensher, who chaired the A.A.P.'s study committee. "If the product is bad enough to tell the manufacturers not to sell them, why allow them to remain in the marketplace at all?" Stronger roadblocks may soon be set up on the local level. Next week Tucson will hold a public hearing on whether the city should be off limits to all ATVs.