Motorized Used Advocacy - on TV

[C.P.]

It appears the motorized use advocates and manufacturers are making more publisized efforts to get folks involved at local government level to get trail advocacy projects moved forward. I was watching the idiot box last night - and caught a program on speedvision channel "2 wheeled tuesday"

They had a BIG segment that focussed on how to get involved in your local town/state government to get trails open for motorized use. They had a spokesperson who was advocating the 200 page "cookbook" of how to get trails in your area previously closed to motorized use opened again.
The spokeperson was from www.nohvcc.org , and had mentions from http://www.arra-access.com/arra/home.html

It appears funding for these groups specifically comes from manufacturers - makes sense...from discussions I've seen on the forum, it appears it's a tough battle in this state (MA) to get motorized use legal where previously not, but it seems like other states that have more open space like Maine and NH have programs that seem to be working for motorized users - that also mesh well with the use/care of the land they use.

Personally, I don't have ANY problems with well planned and maintained motorized use, where it "meshes" well with the lay of the land and it's intended use...What are the chances of motorized use becoming more legal in the surrounding areas? Looks like a motorized advocacy use group could be working to get access to a good riding spot near you.

On a side note: They snowmobilers got a huge punch in the nose last night when high court ruled that clintons law to ban snowmobilers from Jellystone by next winter is to stay in effect - putting the damper on the bush camp to reverse that law, and double the amount of users in this winter...

[Rich]

CP, God forbid the ATVers are allowed in Borderland anytime soon. I was riding Trail of tears this Sunday and had an experience with two ATVs. The first encounter was on a dirt road with a town of Barnstable cop on an ATV, complete with Darth Vader helmet and face mask. He said he was out looking for motorized users in the ToT area where it is forbidden. Said he catches quite a few of them- gives out citations, fines, maybe impounds their machines.

The second encounter was with a man and a young boy on tight singletrack. Singletrack their ATV would soon turn into double-track. I didn't get into it with the dad, but I wish I had at least asked him if he knew what he was doing was illegal.

Bottom line: more ATVs being sold = more need to ride them someplace fun.....

[mtbtom]

I was down at Otis too a few weeks back and several trails that I remember being singletrack where turned into wide quad track. Also, a lof of the fun twisting turns around trees were blown into straight lines.

This has happened up at Dogtown as well - only singletrack that's left is near the old commons. The long singletrack that used to lead to the quarry is now a wide quad track.

[fellsbiker]

Anyone ever notice that Mountain Bikers complaining about ATV's sound just like Hikers complaining about Mountain Bikes? We have to keep an open mind, or else we are no better than all those groups that want to ban US from these same woods.

[huff'npuff]

I have no gripe with motorized recreational vehicles using the land. I DO have a gripe about them using the single tracks and ruining them. It's not a fun experience to meet one coming around a turn.
I like "Separate but Equal". Trails should be well marked,so that neither ends up on the other's.Let them have their trails,and let us have ours. "...and ne'er the twain shall meet."

[fellsbiker]

I have no gripe with motorized recreational vehicles using the land. I DO have a gripe about them using the single tracks and ruining them. It's not a fun experience to meet one coming around a turn.
I like "Separate but Equal". Trails should be well marked,so that neither ends up on the other's.Let them have their trails,and let us have ours. "...and ne'er the twain shall meet."


Without agreeing or disagreeing with what you are saying, it sounds all too familiar. Put yourself in their shoes. How would you like it if groups want you off their trails. Oh wait they do. They think they are perfectly justified wanting us off their trails, and we think they suck because of it. I'm sure you think you're perfectly justified wanting those "annoying" ATV's off your trails. The situations are nearly identical, and Mountain Bikers have the unique position of being on both ends of the stick in each situation. I certainly don't think that the Skyline trail needs more 4 wheelers, but it is definitely a very touchy topic for bikers, suddenly the tables are turned around 100%

[C.P.]

Somehow this is already headed in the wrong direction.

My orgiginal intent was to inform the masses about motorized advocacy groups, and the fact that they are organizing and possibly already lobbying to get motorized use legal where currently it's NOT... (and keep in mind - currently any motorized use where legal in MA has only included dirtbikes - not ATVs.)

As far as ATV's go they aren't legal to ride on any public land anywhere in MA as it is...so let's not start an argument about "put yourself in their shoes" others have simply stated that where they are riding - ILLEGALLY - they are widening a singletrack trail to double the width - which has NO comparison to hikers vs mtn bikers...c'mon!! stop it here!

[AA]

(and keep in mind - currently any motorized use where legal in MA has only included dirtbikes - not ATVs.)

As far as ATV's go they aren't legal to ride on any public land anywhere in MA as it is...so let's not start an argument about "put yourself in their shoes"

ATV's are allowed on some state properties....

http://www.state.ma.us/dem/recreate/orv.htm

I agree that there is a world of difference between a motorcycle & an ATV. Frankly I hate ATV's. Some properties can sustain motorcycle use because there arent a lot of users and there are large trail networks. Many smaller areas (like the ones most of us ride) just cant handle the motorized use.

[C.P.]

Hey AA - Thanks for pointing that out...I ought to check my sources more thoroughly.

[huff'npuff]

I like "Separate but Equal". Trails should be well marked,so that neither ends up on the other's.Let them have their trails,and let us have ours. "...and ne'er the twain shall meet."


Fellsbiker, if you notice, some places do have separate trails. Some in F.Gilbert Hill and Borderland are for hikers only. I'm not looking to argue either. :)
I can live with that.As I stated, I don't begrudge the use of public land for their purpose - I just would rather see trails designated for specific uses,ie hiking,biking,and motorized.
I was almost run down in Foxboro a few years ago,and another time was showered with gravel by an inconsiderate motorbiker that came onto the gravel road from single track and turned hard on the road....So I'm a dreamer.....sue me........lol

[knucklebuste]

I DON'T FEEL A BIT SORRY FOR THEM OR BEING A HIPOCRIT (HYPOCRIT) (WHATEVER)
I USE TO RIDE ATV'S DIRTBIKES, EVERYTHING.
POINT #1
THERE IS NO WHERE TO RIDE IN MASSACHUSETTS SO DO AS I DID AND GIVE IT UP AND BUY A MTB. I BOUGHT A MOUNTAIN BIKE, SO SOON THAT WILL BE ILLEGAL TOO
MERRY F'N XMAS

Knuck

[dnostibbi]

C.P. is right on about ATV manufactuers having a strong political lobby. Their voice does get heard by the policy makers. That's why it is important for us to not only to support NEMBA but to also support our political voice in Washington IMBA. As IMBA's membership rises so does its political clout. There is power in numbers. Convince the people you ride with to not only join NEMBA, but IMBA as well.
As far as the ATV issue here goes it is only going to get worse. The increase in number of these vehicles being sold is dramatic. Uninformed parents see these machines as being "safer" than off road motorcycles. That along with buyers ignorance about places to ride these things has contributed to the destruction of miles of local singletrack. If a potential buyer walked into your local ATV distributer and asked just one question, "Is there anywhere I can ride legally?", and the salesperson is honest we would be seeing a lot less of these things sold.

[GTIDRVR]

This is just to inform trail user that your favorite riding, if it's in a state park namely NH, it is not safe from ATV access, We a collolective group of trail users have been protecting Bear Brook for three years, with it's Historic value,protected areas and now it comes down to this


The 2004 Legislative Session has arrived. The bill that is most relevant to ATVs in Bear Brook is SB349, which proposes to shrink the ATV exclusion zone around public water supplies from a 4000 ft radius to a 400 ft radius (a 100-fold decrease in the size of the protected area). The proposal also exempts existing trails from the setback criteria around waterbodies. These changes are important because a large proportion of Bear Brook SP is covered by wellhead protection areas, which is the main impediment to allowing ATVs in the park. The text of the bill is available at:



http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2004/SB0349.html



From what I can tell, the bill has been referred to the Transportation Committee. No hearings are scheduled. I will keep you posted as I learn more.



For those who are interested, there are many other ATV-related bills before the legislature this session. To see them, visit the Legislature’s website and do a search on “OHRV” or other relevant keywords.



http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/index/