From: Racer X Online Website 6-03-02

Legislation Requires State to Develop System of OHV Recreation Areas and Trails

Irvine, Calif., May 30, 2002 – Florida Governor Jeb Bush today signed into law the "T. Mark Schmidt Off-Highway Vehicle Safety and Recreation Act," legislation that requires the Division of Forestry to develop and maintain a system of OHV recreation areas and trails on public lands. This legislation, backed by the Motorcycle Industry Council, also calls for a report to be submitted to the governor and the Florida Legislature by Jan. 1, 2003 recommending five locations for public access and OHV recreational use. The division also must publish a guidebook to include laws and regulations relating to the program and maps of the system’s OHV areas and trails.

"Our efforts to enact the legislation have at times been frustrating, but in the end paid off with the passage of this milestone trails law in Florida," said MIC’s Vice President of Government Relations, Kathy Van Kleek. "I commend the Legislature for recognizing the need to provide OHV riding opportunities in the state and I commend the Florida Trail Riders for working so tirelessly to communicate this need to their elected officials."

Van Kleek sees the new legislation as a first step toward improving Florida OHV recreation. The law requires OHV titling fees be used to fund the program. However, OHV registration fees, which are paid annually and provide a larger base of revenue, are a preferred funding source, she said.

"Legislators were reluctant to impose additional fees, especially before the program is up and running and providing benefits to Florida riders," Van Kleek said.

This MIC-backed legislation is named in honor of the late Florida motorcycle dealer Mark Schmidt, who had ardently supported creation of a state trails program. For several years, MIC has taken the lead in advocating legislation to provide off-highway motorcycle and ATV riding opportunities in the state, in cooperation with the Florida Trail Riders and local dealers. The Florida Legislature passed House Bill 1681 on the last day of its 2002 session.

MIC President Tim Buche cites enactment of this law as an excellent example of MIC working together with rider and dealer groups to protect and enhance the future of OHV recreation.

"MIC will continue to work in the state to provide viable funding for ongoing development and maintenance of the trails system," he said.

The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) is a not-for-profit, national trade association representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, scooters, motorcycle parts and accessories and members of allied trades located in Irvine, Calif.

 

Finally, I have to drive 5 hours to Ocala to ride legally. Florida is the pits. I hope we see something out of this.

 

Great news! See what a Republican governor, house and senate can do! To all our repressed ATV brothers up in CA, see what can happen! Toss the greenies out. Bring in the true blue GOP.
Living here in Ocala we've got it made for FL quad riding, but all the good folks in south FL need some help. It's about time.
bobcatv8

 

Bobcatv8,,,,I'm surprised I haven't seen you in the Ocala National Forest(ONF). Do you ride in the south or north district? I'm making plans to volunteer some time with the US Forestry Service in inventorying UCRs (User Created Routes). Apparently they are hesitant in calling what we know as trails, trails, until they have been officially desiganted as trails. I was told by one of the officials that there are currently over 2,100 miles of UCRs in the ONF. Way more than will be designated as trails once inventorying is complete. The Lake George District (North End) is getting two Honda Rubicons. You can probably expect to see more 'In The Woods' patrolling once they get their machines. I usually ride between 40 and 50 miles each time I go out. Maybe we can hook up and do a ride sometime. If you're interested in volunteering some time in the ONF, give me an e-mail.

 

well,
I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing..
I'm up in the forgotten country..apalichicola NF. Lots of places to ride, but as far as the titling aspect, well lets just say that mine did not have to be titled, since it was off road, or registered. I'm all for IMPROVING places to ride, mind you, but not having existing places taken away. I get the feeling that something is taken away most every time I get in my boat..I used to be able to run trot lines, but that is a thing of the past..now the areas (a great part of..about 7/8, what I used to run are now idle speed & slow speed areas) it would'nt be so bad, but the signs posting it are not correct, the ones at the landing are reversed from the ones posted in the river..plus most of the time you don't see the manatees..well I guess that I should be happy about saving the enviroment, but what's next..no outboards?..I see the same thing coming for OHV..but the good thing is how can the state deny use of them when the guard plays with the tanks in the forest?..
as far as funding it, they need to change the way a OHV is sold, to get the titling in effect, as of last month it was not in place..but preacherman, good idea about mapping the trails..maybe it will give more area to ride in, or at least a choice of trails, while others are closed..

 

Preacherman, we almost always go to the Big Scrub area as we haven't seen all there is to see out that way. I can only get out 2 or 3 times a month {work and family responsibilities} and it seems like we are always showing a newbie the ropes out that way. I guess that is a good thing 'cause we always have a blast. I am the parts dept. manager at the local Lincoln-Mercury dealership and most of our riding gang are fellow employees and other guys in the auto business here in Ocala. We are mostly sport quad riders and mud aint one of our favorite things to do. Since me and one of our salesman got into ATVing, at least 4 other employees and friends have gotten quads too. We haven't gotten serious about mapping out or GPSing the area yet but I can tell we may have to. Man, that ONF is huge! For now we seem to be content finding the numerous sand pits and moderate hill climbing opportunities around. Fast relatively flat trails are great too. Lately the dust has been keeping us away but the rains have finally started as I'm sure you've noticed too. We rode one time last year at the area near forest rd. 88 & 75 and that was a good ride. The Big Scrub campground is only 30 miles from my house, I live about 2 miles south of Silver Springs Attraction near Sharpes Ferry Road and Baseline. I would love to expand my knowledge of all the riding areas in our great ONF. I feel like a "rent a quad" agency with all the guys I have taken out on my quads from work and other friends. Come by my work sometime and meet us or check out my website as that will be the truck and some combo of the quads you see there will be out and about if you are in the Big Scrub area. Looking foward to meeting you.
bobcatv8