Protecting Public OHV Off-Road Land Access
Unfair Stereotypes are threating the future of Public ATV & SxS Trails

Instantly I realize that I’ve painted a certain picture of myself to these people. 
And it isn’t a flattering portrait. 

Contrary to common stereo types, most off-road enthusiasts respect nature & enjoy the beautiful views that being outdoors offers

You see, even normally rational, even-keeled members of our society have been trained to think of off-roaders as heedless hayseeds hell-bent on destruction; the mind immediately conjures up an image of a ridiculous redneck with a wad of Copenhagen protruding from his lip, spinning donuts in a meadow, tearing up the ecosystem while some poor orphaned fawn looks on in bewilderment.

It’s a stigma that just won’t seem to go away. And it’s tremendously frustrating, particularly because I know that it is completely contrary to reality.

In truth, the vast majority of off-road enthusiasts are “Tread Lightly” adherents who respect nature and treasure the land that affords them so much joy and pleasure. 

The term "Tread Lightly" is practiced throughout the world to preserve and respect the land that off-road riding if offered for future off-road enthusiasts

But sadly, this accurate picture is not what the masses see and the unfair caricature described above is continually used as justification for the further shuttering of our national forests – closing trails, obliterating roads, gating off access points, etc.

The deck is stacked against outdoor recreation lovers, because the hardcore environmental zealots are well-organized and have much invested in perpetuating this negative stereotype.  Over the years they have managed to obtain political momentum and now federal and state policy reflects their position in an all-too-increasing fashion.

Well, there are a number of approaches we can take to combat the frequent attacks on public land access, but we have to ask ourselves what will be the most effective.  And I can tell you right now that the average off-roader who is angry about land management decisions in their backyard is not reacting in an effective fashion.

There are many state parks and government owned OHV riding area that that is open to public off-road riding including Sand Hollow State Park in St. George, Utah that offers beautiful views a great mixute of terrain to ride on

The typical response, sadly, is to “howl at the moon” so to speak, incessantly complaining about the big bad government or the big bad environmental lobby.  And for all our bluster, roads continue to be closed and massive parcels of public land continue to become effectively off-limits to American citizens, particularly older Americans or disabled veterans who now suffer from limited mobility.

Here’s a hint, folks: bitching isn’t a strategy; whining isn’t a tactic.  Our political opponents have taken control because they didn’t sit around grumbling.  They acted.  They organized.