Hello,
My name is Eric. I am a local atv enthusiast from North Fairfield Ohio. We have an atv education problem here and need help.

I presented an idea at our last village council meeting of conducting an atv/ohv town meeting. I have acquired a gymnasium to hold the meeting. I suggested that we invite the local village attorney to read the ohio revised code concerning off highway vehicles. Also the county sheriff to give us some statistics from his office as well. The mother of a local man who lost his life while operating his atv on a roadway which led to his death. The North Fairfield Fire Chief to address the parents of our community about the importance of an atv safety education. And finally, I would like to have someone who can educate our community residents, landowners, and area riders within our county that there is a better way to coexist within our communities by having an atv club, and the benefits of supporting one.
Our problems seem to be a lack of education, parental guidance, and law enforcement. North Fairfield, Oh. does not have a police dept. Our law enforcement consist of periodic or on-demand enforcement from the county sheriff and state highway patrol offices. The mentality among some adult and teenage riders is...
"They have to catch me first".

Well, that mentality needs to change. Because N. Fairfield is such a small community; everyone knows who these problem riders are. Some people including myself have addressed the issues to parents without any results. If given the opportunity to develop an atv club; we would be able to police our local riding areas and the community would be able to police the streets with the help of photography and video surveillance. Too many times law enforcement has been thwarted by irresponsible atv riders just because they didn‘t catch them in the act. That was then, this is now. The atv riders are now at a disadvantage... Loud pipes! Seems like everyone of these wheelie poppin, throttle pumpers have loud pipes. Would be documentarians can have the camera at hand when they hear them coming. I’m sure this isn’t the first time anyone has thought of this. I just think it’s time to think of it more often now. Once we have a clear image of them on camera, it’s time to call in law enforcement. Pretty soon word will get around not to tear up the streets and township roads that law abiding atv users travel. And after a couple of successful prosecutions, the horseplay will begin to slow down, if not diminish altogether. The alternative discussed at village council was to hire a full-time police officer to handle the problem. This means higher taxes to support his or her wages all because of a few problem atv riders. I find that unexceptable! However; if a local police officer was to be hired, ohv riding among the 15 and under group would end anyway because the ohio law would be enforced anyways, and the local atv club members could assist police in identifying these riders.

Many of us older adults, 30 years and older want to keep our privilege to ride in town within the law. But this privilege is being threatened by some younger adults and teenagers for the most part; who do not care or care to understand why everyone is upset with them speeding up and down village streets sometimes with or without passengers, who ride at times with or without helmets, or riding wheelies in the same manner. The fear is that one more death, or life altering accident will drastically effect our community and law abiding community riders. The mayor and the village council have been more than patient, and are still willing to work with the atv riders in our community to protect their privilege to ride within the village corporation limits, within the confines of the law. But the rebel riding has to end first.

I have spoken with a few of the teen's parents about the complaints; they nod their heads as if they understand, some of them still let their teenagers run up and down the streets on their atvs. And the parents of the one's who continue to run the streets say they've told them, but they won't listen. I say pull the keys, or make the atv unrideable. It just that easy! If you don't, as parents you are enabling them to break the law. The teenagers I speak of that are under the age of 16 are not permitted to ride an atv off their property without their parents being with them along any street, road, or highway. However, the teenagers are not solely to blame. We have some younger adults who tear up the streets also. What does this show the teenagers? It shows them that "if it's okay for them to do it, why can't I?" This is why a club is needed to educate as many riders in our area to the importance of safe and responsible atv operation where ever they travel. I think once a club is developed, membership will increase and education will flourish among the club members. But we need to hold a town meeting to afford a forum in which everyone can be heard.

I have been educating myself to being a better safety conscientious atv rider, atv parent, and local atv club lobbyist for about a year now. I’ve spoken with landowners, farmers, community leaders, parents, and local citizens about my ideas. I have for the most part been pleased with their responses. There are always a few people out there who say, "It'll never work". That just makes me all the more determined to stick it out. I've been hoping that someone in this small town would jump at the opportunity to make a positive change for our recreation here. My hopes have been more a dream then a reality. No one is willing to stick their necks out for their recreation or the safety of their fellow neighbors until now. And the person who stuck their neck out is me. Some parents are unhappy with me as our their kids. That's alright! If I saved their lives even for one more day by "tattling" on them, then their unhappiness towards me is acceptable. I could have just as easily called the Sheriff's Department. But I have hopes that my kid's friend's parents would do the same for me if my kids were getting into trouble.

Most recently at the last village council meeting, I finally gave a presentation on how to curb some, if not all of the reckless and irresponsible riding practices that plague our small community. The idea of starting an atv club drew great responses from nearly every council member. Eventually, I hope to extend club memberships to the entire county riding community. I've been working with the village legal attorney, and a local journalist who submitted a short story in the local newspaper describing the atv problems and my ideas to help solve them. The story has other atv riders and residents in my area praising me for my ideas and efforts. I think an atv club will be an easier pitch then I originally predicted. I think our community just needed someone to get things started. We have great citizens here! Always willing to give a helping hand.

I think that a strong message to parents is a good place to start, noting that a lot of younger riders want the same freedom to ride without having to be emotionally mature enough to handle the responsibility, or the consequences for their actions. Up to this point I have been contacting the parents explaining to them that I am going out of my way... “sticking my neck out” to ensure our local atv recreation can continue here, and that their teenager threatens our privilege by their irresponsible riding. As I said earlier in this email...they nod as if they understand, but continue to let their teenager tear up the streets. Well, my next step will be photographs and or video to submit to the sheriff's office if it continues. I want to give every parent of an atv, mini bike, pocket rocket, or other ohv rider the opportunity to educate their sons and daughters at home first. As I said before, "I would expect the same from them if my kids were getting into trouble." If they don't know or understand the atv laws, then they need to find out what they are and what they mean. If they don't care to educate them, then we "the local atv community" will. But it may cost them in fines, impounding fees for the atv, and hostility from their neighbors and other local atv riders. I don't want the kids to get in trouble, I just want them to be respectful of their neighbors, friends, and families by riding safely and lawfully.
At this point, I don't think many of the 16 and under atv riders care much for my atv club propaganda. I’m sure they are going to suffer most from having to refrain from riding their atv’s like they would bicycles within the village limits. I think they feel they are being targeted. Right now they seem to be the problem of the moment. I hope to share with them that they can still have fun riding and be apart of the club. I plan on having a jr. club membership for riders 17 and under. It will be directed by the club, but it will give them a voice to be heard. It just doesn’t give them permission to tear up and down the village streets anymore. Most of these teenagers I speak of are relatively good young men, and they know where they can and cannot ride. I'm not saying they can't kick up some dirt or throw some mud out on the trail, just don't tear up and down the village streets. Being such a small town with virtually nothing to do recreationally, they are just trying to have fun. But at what cost? Their life, the lives of their passengers, or innocent bystanders? That's a price that's unexceptable. When we hear them coming down the street at high speed; we're just hoping no one gets hurt or killed this time. Or they could stop, and get involved in something that's safe and still fun whether they’re riding or not... An atv club.

Since speaking with the village council, my next step is to post an announcement on the village bulletin board for the atv town meeting. I will need to cast guest speakers. This is where I need your help. Would you be available September, 15th at 7:00p.m. to speak? It would be a great honor to have you. Maybe you could tell us more about what your organization was developed to do for motorcycle/atv riders. What our state government is planning or working on to address atv related issues. Suggestions for club development would be helpful also. And any safety related information that you may be able to share with us.

I appreciate you taking the time to read my email. I know it’s a bit lengthy, so thanks for hanging in there! Please let me know if you can help or offer any other suggestions. Thank You, Eric. 419-744-2297

 

hey there,
I think it's great what you are trying to do. Seems as though you are talking with a lot of people, but in my opinion, you failed to talk to an important one, or failed to mention it at least.

Something that appeals to everyone..saving money.
If there is a popular dealership, or local shop that everyone goes to, might I suggest trying to get with them to help Sponsor a club, and safety in general? Most dealers like to show that they are willing to give back to the community, and can even offer a certain % off of items they stock. Saving money appeals to almost everyone, so if you get some backing that will also save these teens some money, they might not feel as if they are being singled out. They could think hey, if I join, I can save some money. If I disobey the clubs rules, I get kicked out, and have to pay more. Or maybe even thier parents might say, hey, if I have to pay for this stuff for you, you are joining that club to save me money. When you pay for it yourself, you can make your own decision. The dealership would like it, because the more club members, the more customers they are going to be getting coming back into thier stores, even if it is at a 10% loss, they still are making money. Now, instead of just being able to afford some loud pipes, they can afford to get some better tires to tear things up, joking of course.


I know what my choice would be, but I'm in that older crowd.
Best of luck to you.

 

This is a parenting problem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Parents who care wont let their thugs run like that. Its a shame that we need to offer rewards to the kids to be legal. Take their machines and charge their parents to get em out of impound.

In Indiana you can register ($30/3years) to ride on non-highways. Get caught without registration, you lose yer quad to the impound lot. Most cops leave ya alone if yer respectful and operate in a safe, non-bothering, way.

 

is this the 90 and over club or what? were you guys never young? the more you theaten young peeps the more they are going to keep doing stuff like this. a club is a good way to show these boys they can have fun legally. as far riding a wheely down a street whats the big deal? you have alot of teenagers running into cars ? i dont think an intintion to hurt anyone, get hurt is ever in there minds, just trying to have fun. so lighten up and TEACH these kids something, dont just PREACH and MAKE THREATS.