So much for law abiding ATV users
ATV riders like to say that only a few bad apples go off trail and do damage. They like to bill themselves as law abiding citizens out enjoying the public lands.
So, what should we make of comments by Michael Swenson, executive director of Utah Shared Access Alliance, to The Tribune’s Robert Gehrke last week? Swenson said off-roaders have an obligation to obey the law IN MOST CASES.
What?
“There are many cases where there is not a travel plan in place or there is one that was put together in such a fashion that the recreation community just can’t support it,” he said.
Is the leader of one of the top ATV advocate organizations saying that ignoring the law when riders feel it is unjustified is OK? Is he really advocating riding illegally off-trail if riders don’t agree with a land management agency’s policy?
So much for the argument that ATV users are law abiding citizens. Either you follow the rules or you don’t. It’s this kind of attitude that results in public lands being closed due to damage caused by arrogant yahoos who can’t be bothered to stay on the trail.
— Tom
So, what should we make of comments by Michael Swenson, executive director of Utah Shared Access Alliance, to The Tribune’s Robert Gehrke last week? Swenson said off-roaders have an obligation to obey the law IN MOST CASES.
What?
“There are many cases where there is not a travel plan in place or there is one that was put together in such a fashion that the recreation community just can’t support it,” he said.
Is the leader of one of the top ATV advocate organizations saying that ignoring the law when riders feel it is unjustified is OK? Is he really advocating riding illegally off-trail if riders don’t agree with a land management agency’s policy?
So much for the argument that ATV users are law abiding citizens. Either you follow the rules or you don’t. It’s this kind of attitude that results in public lands being closed due to damage caused by arrogant yahoos who can’t be bothered to stay on the trail.
— Tom
posted by Brett @ 3:16 PM |
1 Comments:
Not everyone in the OHV community agrees with the comments of USA-ALL as reported in the Trib article from last week. After contacting USA-ALL to voice concern over these comments, I have been informed that the words of Michael Swenson were taken out of context and misinterpreted by Gehrke. I have requested a copy of the letter sent in response to this artcicle, and i hope to be able to post it here in response. Let's hope that the record can be set straight one way or the other.
As an active member of the 4x4 community in Utah, I can attest that the OHV community in general does not support any kind of off-trail riding/driving in those areas where such activities are not allowed by law. Irresponsible OHV behavior is a problem that negatively affects the OHV community and the environment.
Irresponsible OHV behavior IS an abomination and an embarassment. I would like to challenge SUWA to help stop this behavior by pledging resources to enforcement and education programs on public land. Support volunteer peer enforcement activities already being conducted by responsible OHV users across the state.
Responsible motorized recreation is a valid use of public lands. Please join us in our efforts to stamp out irresponsible OHV behavior so everyone can benefit.
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