I hope that this message gets a bit of attention because I need help in this regard. I write concerning the land and environment issues that are posted here. I have read a few and I must say that I agree with most of the comments written. However, WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT! I mean, when comments suggest that "They" are trying to fight for our right to ride, or to keep areas, and trails open, why isn't it "We". It's time we take some action. I'm just getting into this myself, so I'm learning. Maybe if we get involved and circulate what we know to this group of Off-road enthusiasts on this web site and many others, it truly can be "US" fighting the fight. I don't want my riding areas or privledges taken from me either. But if I'm sitting on my duff not getting my voice heard or becoming involved, then I might as well be counted in the majority that voices their opinion againts us. Silence is our worst enemy. We need to become active. If you have any information that will benefit our cause, let us know here. I think we should be able to fill this forum with as many or more comments and suggestions as the various other forums listed on this web site. If you think about it. The more we get involved and get our voice heard, the more opportunities we'll have to discuss the intricacies of a two-stroke vs. a 4-stroke, interesting places to visit, or even who's wheeler is better. But consider the alternative if we just sit and expect other to do our work. ($4000-$6000 shop ornament?)
Help me learn about how "We" can change things, and then pass it along. How do you think the oppostion is doing it?

 

May i sugest you set your "Show Messages Posted In The Last". To one year, And take a deep tour of the site.
Their is plenty to see and learn....Also check out the links section.

Member-34

 

Lv2ride:
Nice job! I have something similar to this topic concerning gun control in the Hunting section of the post. I'm happy to see YOU want to get involved, rather than let every one else do it for you. That's what a lot of the problem is with most of the people these days. They all figure that they can just sit back and let somebody else worry about it, or that somebody else will fix the problem. As a result, they do nothing about it, yet when what they want is taken away from them, who do you think bitches the loudest? That's right, not the one out fighting, but rather, the one who was sitting on his duff, expecting everyone else to fight for him. You are exactly right. Individually, we are nothing, yet together, nothing can stop us. The voice of one is often over heard, yet it is the thunderous roar of the majority that demands the attention and gets things done. Getting involved with groups such as "Tread Lightly" or the "Blue Ribbon Coalition" are good places to start, but also, contacting all your state representatives and senators is also a wise thing to do. That way, they get the individual peoples opinion, and the more they receive, the more they will listen. While these types of posts do not get near the attention, or the reply's that I would personally like to see, I truelly hope that everyone is actually doing something about it behind the scenes of this forum. If we expect anything to be done, we need to come together as a whole, stand fast, and fight for our ground!

 

I live in Southern Indiana and I would like to help but I don't know were to start. I have been a member to other foundations and clubs to help hunting and animal protection. Is there anything like this for ATV’s? I know there is the Blue Ribbon and some other foundations, but we also need to get a lot more people involved with our cause. I believe if we got something together and had banquets and events to get more people involved and make it fun for the whole family. I know they have some events in other states but I don’t want to drive a 1000-mile to get there. I guess what I am trying to say can we get other chapters of these foundations started locally? Please let me know if there is anything I can do that will help keeps off roading alive. I am new to this sport and I would really like to be able to have it around when ever I have kids so they can ride and enjoy this sport also.

 

May I also sugest
www.nohvcc.com

 

Hey lv2ride, it's good to see someone wants to become involved! Take a look at off-road.com That site places a much priority on environmental issues. I have contacted the administrators of this site about using some kind of environmental action alerts which might bring more attention to our plight. Not too many people even look in this forum. You will have a thousand members read a post on "how to wash your quad", but few members even look in the Land issues forum. I am a member of Blue Ribbon Coalition and also support NOHVCC. I would like to join the AMA if they would give ATV's equal representation as motorcycles. As ATV riders it would be great if we had some kind of National representation like the motorcyclists have in the AMA. The AMA will be happy to take the money from ATV riders, but look at their huge web site, you won't see a single quad there. The atv magazines say that for every motorcycle sold (street or dirt) there are FOUR ATV's sold! Keep fighting the good fight, keep in touch with your state representatives, join an ATV club and rally support to save our trails from the eco-*****.

Bruce
2000 Banshee
99 400ex
99 wolverine
Blue Ribbon Member

 

hey bruce -- all very good points. might i suggest another thing to look at as well: the snowmobiling industry. while we, as atver's compare ourselves to the motorcycle industry and concern ourselves with how we stack up, the snowmobiling lobby plods along and gets things done. they are huge. they have great participation. they are a team. snowmobiles rule the north country of my home state of michigan during the winter. try riding an atv into a gas station or along the side of the road like you would a snowmobile.... the snowmobiling lobby is actually a pretty good model for us to follow.

the shame of it is, most atver's don't concern themselves with the BIG issues affecting the future of the sport: land managment (or mis-managment) and emissions (2 vs. 4-stroke, etc). they both sound boring, but if we lose sight of those two cornerstones, the "what are the best nerf bars" and "artic cat sucks" posts won't mean much will they??

 

Y'all should listen to a radio show out of Pittsburg. Jim Quinns Morning Show talks about the government land grabs now & then and also talks about how it fits into the "big picture". You can listen to the show live or in archived form via downloadable mp3s. Go to www.warroom.com and visit the archive page for further links.

 

Good post....I've been fighting with St. Paul pioneer press in Minn. to quit writing 1 sided ,un documented stuff against us.
Their outdoor editor is a grouse hunter who believes 4 wheelers are ruining the outdoors!!
My current battle is in Wasburn county Wis,where the county has shut down 4 wheeelers on OUR trails from April 1st-- May 31st ... for QUIET time so deer can have their babbies in peace...Honest!!
This weekend several riders got tickets ($140) for riding 1 mile ..from their resort to Douglas Co. where 4 Wheeling was legal.No SIGNS POSTING ...you were suppossed to know the law...many riders were from outside the area !
Mean while ..while this is going on... loggers are clear cutting in the same exact areas..their trucks are leaving 3 ft. DEEP RUTS in area roads..and quess who's getting the blame?
I quess its time to quit bashing Lawyers ...maybe someone who rides ..would like to start a class action against the county..???
Well ...I'm off to start a letter to the governor of Wis.
EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS !!

 

I understand the problem, it is going on here too.
here is what I am doing about it. It is small now but I hope it helps. check my website.
www.tourmankato.com/atv.htm