A Tragedy Turned Into a Mission: Kristen Almer and the Ride Safe Foundation

A Tragedy Turned Into a Mission: Kristen Almer and the Ride Safe Foundation

Motorsports and power sports create unforgettable memories for families across America. But for Kristen Almer and her family, one ATV accident changed everything forever.

On this episode of the Women’s Motorsports Network Podcast, Kristen shares the heartbreaking story of losing her 11-year-old nephew Logan in an ATV accident in Wisconsin. What followed was years of research, conversations with medical professionals, law enforcement, families, and industry experts that ultimately led to the creation of the Ride Safe Foundation.

Kristen explained that over 4,000 children under the age of 15 have died in ATV and UTV incidents in the United States since the early 1980s. Even more shocking, nearly all of those fatalities involved adult-sized machines, lack of training, or missing safety equipment like helmets.

One of the most important takeaways from the episode is that these tragedies are preventable.

Kristen believes the motorsports community itself holds the solution. Racetracks, dealerships, racers, and local organizations can help teach children how to safely operate machines before dangerous habits develop. She compares the solution to quarter midget “try-and-rides,” where kids safely learn the fundamentals with trained adults and proper equipment.

The Ride Safe Foundation has already directly reached more than 41,000 children through safety education programs across the country. Their goal is not to eliminate power sports, but to create a culture where safety becomes automatic.

As Memorial Day weekend approaches — one of the deadliest weekends of the year for ATV and UTV accidents — Kristen urges families to take safety seriously:

·       Always wear helmets

·       Never allow children on adult-sized machines

·       Avoid riding on roads

·       Never drink and drive

·       Seek proper safety training

This episode is emotional, educational, and incredibly important for every motorsports family to hear.