Offering freedom, adrenaline, and direct contact with nature, ATVs appeal to a generation looking to get away from screens and experience something real. Whether on quads or side-by-side vehicles, a new generation is discovering the pleasure of riding. On Quebec’s trails, forest paths, and gravel roads, more and more young adults are getting behind the handlebars. It’s a fast-paced leisure activity, but not just any old way.
A hobby that is gaining popularity
Quad riding is no longer reserved for veteran trail enthusiasts. In recent years, a new generation has emerged: us! Twenty-agers! Attracted by the freedom, adrenaline, and direct contact with nature, more and more young adults are discovering the pleasure of driving these vehicles. A quad is much more than an engine and tires; it’s a way to teach responsibility, respect for nature, and caution. We learn to maintain the vehicles, respect the trails, and collaborate with other ATV users in harmony with other citizens. Today’s teens and young adults aren’t just looking for speed. What we want is the whole experience: the mud, the scenery, the friends, and the feeling of belonging to a real community. Social media has also played a big part in this phenomenon.
On TikTok and Instagram, young ATV riders share their trips in the woods, their funny breakdowns, their improvised group outings in the mud, and their mechanical tips. It’s a lively community that’s proud to show that it wants to combine modernity and tradition. Many young enthusiasts combine ATV riding with other activities such as camping, fishing, or road trips between regions.
Contrary to what one might think, ATV riding is an increasingly popular leisure activity among women. Like me, they are interested in it, proud to master their machines and assert their place in this still predominantly male environment.
A leisure activity that comes at a price
On the other hand, we can all agree that not all young people in their twenties can afford to buy the latest model. Today, new machines start at a minimum of $10,000. So, we are turning massively to classified ad sites such as Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji to find the best deals. These sites feature machines that are a few years old, allowing us to avoid the financing payments that a new ATV might require. The prices are more affordable, around $4,000 to $5,000, and offer a good compromise between performance, maintenance costs, off-road capability, etc. It’s quite rare to see young people with touring-type ATVs; most opt for sport utility models, such as the Polaris Sportsman or the Can-Am Outlander, which combine adrenaline and adventure.
Safe riding
Furthermore, riding a quad also means taking on a share of responsibility. Each driver is primarily responsible for their own safety… and that of others. Most accidents on trails are not due to bad luck but to overconfidence, distraction, or failure to follow basic safety rules. Being safe means wearing the right equipment: an approved helmet, goggles, gloves, high boots, and long clothing when riding. It means obeying traffic regulations and right of way rules, and adapting your speed to the terrain. Safety doesn’t take the thrill out of riding; it allows us to enjoy it longer.
Conclusion
For most young enthusiasts, quad bikes are much more than just machines; they are a tool for freedom, a means of exploring and reconnecting with nature. Whether we ride for the adrenaline rush, the fun, or the adventure, safety remains paramount. We share the same hobby: feeling the wind, tasting the earth, and experiencing the vibration of the engine.
Élianne Miville
Columnist
