As winter approaches, lakes freeze and snow falls on Minnesota's 20,000 miles of public and private snowmobile trails will soon became a heaven for snowmobiles across the state.

This riding season, however, riders must first hit the books on safety classes before heating the trails.

A legislation enacted five years ago took effect on Oct 1.

"People ignore the law until it affects them. This legislation has been out there for five years," said Capt. Jeff Thielen, Department of Natural Resources enforcement education coordinator.

This year, adults born after Dec. 31, 1976 are required to take a snowmobile safety training course in order to earn a snowmobile safety certificate to ride in Minnesota.

In the winter of 1996 and 1997, after 32 people died in snowmobile accidents, the legislature passed a bill requiring young riders to take a training course. The same bill, stated that by the 2002-03 riding season, any resident born after Dec. 31, 1976 would need to take a safety course.

"I think is always good to have the education … and it is in that age group that we constantly see in accidents," said Mower County Chief Deputy Terese Amazi.

The DNR provides two different safety courses. An 11-hour introductory course for young and young adults is available for ages 12-17 who may have little or no experience operating snowmobiles.

The four-hour adult course, teaches riders 16 and over about safe stopping techniques, reaction times, group riding and the effects of long-term injuries.

Thielen said data compiled from previous accidents in the past few years is used to design the safety classes.

Eldon Norland, a certified volunteer instructor who has been teaching since 1974, is one of the four instructors from the Spamtown snowdrifters offering training courses for riders 12 years and older.

A class for adults were offered last year but not many people attended.

"If we can get enough people interested, we will set a class for adults," Norland said.

The legislation is bound to stir mixed feelings for snowmobilers who fall under the new requirements.

"I think if you are 18, you shouldn't need to take the class. But at the same time, it all depends on the experience the person has," said Brendan Shaw.

Shaw took the safety training when he was 14 and has been riding for about five years. "It is important for the younger kids. It was interesting when I took the class,"

For information on snowmobile safety classes, call Dennis Lewis at 582-3390, Norland at 437-1930, Trimbles Cycle Center at 437-1713 or visit www.dnr.state.mn.us for the new requirements or location and times for classes.

Roxana Orellana can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at roxana.orellana@austindailyherald.com