DIRT BLOG: Trail Access Requires Your Involvement

Riding areas are the lifeblood of recreational powersports. I know people buy their ATVs for a variety of reasons, but those of us who like to trail ride or otherwise recreate on our four-wheelers must always keep in mind how fragile our infrastructure is.

            Want proof? Earlier today a co-worker posted a story to our primary web site – http://www.atvmagonline.com/ – about how riding access had been restored to an area in Montana that was under the gun due to federal lawsuits. As followers of such situations, there is always a collective “Yeah” in our office when we’re able to post such positive articles.

            But literally while that article was being posted, I was on the phone with a gentleman from northern Alabama, who called seeking advice on what to do about the closure of a big riding area in his neck of the woods. According to the caller, the area in question had been used by locals for decades for off-roading recreation. It is now scheduled to be closed off starting August 1. It seems the land, which had formerly been under state jurisdiction, had been changed over to a federal preserve in recent years. And, after initially being told they rules wouldn’t change with the switch, riders are now being told the forest and logging roads they had ridden for generations are going to be off limits starting in nine days.

Getting organized can help keep vital riding areas open.

           And there ends our celebration of the Montana victory!

            One step forward, one step back — on a national level, sometimes it sort of evens out. But the folks in northern Alabama could care less about the Montana situation – all they know is their local riding area is gone, and now if you own an ATV in the area, you’re screwed.  

            At ATV Magazine, we like to pride ourselves on being cheerleaders for trail systems and riding areas – so when new riding areas are being developed or opened, we want to shine some light on those positive examples. In fact, the issue of ATV Magazine that mails to readers starting this week and hits newsstands on August 3 features a story by Managing Editor Tom Kaiser highlighting an evolving riding area in Kentucky. And new riding areas should be celebrated, but we’ve also got to make sure we keep the riding areas we already have.

            In this case, I tried to encourage the Alabama caller and provide him with what little information a dumb guy like me has. I also shared with him contact information for the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC), a fabulous organization that can often help people form groups and setup clubs and association that can create trail systems and/or help protect riding areas.

            Bottom line: If you want to be a part of a success like the Montana group instead of finding yourself behind the proverbial eight-ball like the Alabama group (through no fault of their own), I’d encourage you to think ahead, join a local club or organization and do what it takes to protect local riding areas and potentially build new ones.

            Once you find the joys of local trail riding, it will be something you never want to lose.

Last 5 posts by John Prusak

• DIRT BLOG: ATV or UTV? Suddenly, It's A Tough Call! - August 27th, 2010
• DIRT BLOG: Take The Time To Humiliate Your Friends! - August 20th, 2010
• DIRT BLOG: How do you use your utility ATV? - August 12th, 2010
• DIRT BLOG: New Honda ATVs Are Here, And They're Begging For Attention - August 6th, 2010
• DIRT BLOG: Does what wins on Sunday truly sell on Monday? - July 30th, 2010

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