Editorial Voices

Editorial boards across America are expressing concern over the growing problem of reckless ORV riding and are looking for common-sense solutions like visible identification and stronger penalties for illegal riding. Read what they’re saying:

"But it's been our observation that ATV riders who disregard rules governing where they are allowed to go are more likely to also disregard rules of courtesy and outdoor etiquette — and in ATVers' cases it's pretty obvious who did the disregarding. That creates a very directed backlash that affects all riders, responsible or not." -- Great Falls Tribune Editorial Board, "Time for the annual reminder: Be a responsible ATV rider", Great Falls Tribune (10/9/09)

"We've written quite a few editorials over the years condemning the destruction in the Pine Barrens and other natural areas caused by people riding all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes and other off-road vehicles. Yet the destruction caused by this illegal riding continues unabated... the state has coddled these outlaws long enough. The Legislature should revisit the bill approved in January and come up with something far tougher." -- Press of Atlantic City Editorial Board, "Off-roaders in the Pinelands/Destruction continues", Press of Atlantic City (9/7/10)

"It's fine to close superfluous roads, for example, but given the enormous number of people who use the area, wouldn't it make sense to increase the number of rangers to make sure the public observes the rules? That's been one of the real sore points in the recent debate over road closures in both of northern New Mexico's national forests: Responsible off-road vehicle enthusiasts and committed nonmotorized recreationalists alike question the Forest Service's ability to enforce any regulations, whether strict or lax." -- Albuquerque Journal Editorial Board, "Jemenez Forests Could Use TLC", Albuquerque Journal (8/25/10)

"We believe off-roaders deserve legal access to public land designated for that purpose — as long as they recreate safely and prudently." -- San Luis Obispo Tribune Editorial Board, "Public health must trump recreation", San Luis Obispo Tribune (7/28/10)

"On May 11, 2007, a state water conservation officer confronted an ATV driver and his passenger, beers in hand, in Hickory Run State Park, where ATV riding is illegal. When the WCO stood in front of the yellow off-road vehicle and put in a call to park rangers, instead of complying with the officer, the ATV driver gunned his engine and took off. He drove straight into the officer, entangling his clothing and dragging him nearly a quarter of a mile from the access road to Drakes Creek Road. When the officer finally got loose and fell off, the ATV sped off...Flouting the rules is far from rare among some ATV users. These scofflaws all too often display a disdain for others, pushing the boundaries of approved trails, trespassing on public lands and private property and creating noise and erosion nuisances. Not all ATV drivers do these things, of course, but enough do to give respectful ATV-ers an undeserved bad reputation." -- Pocono Record Editorial Board, "Bring outlaw ATV driver to justice," Pocono Record (9/16/08)

"Unfortunately, it's usually the minority that makes rules and regulations necessary for the majority, and this would be a case of that. Peer pressure just won't do it. As we've seen in the past, it doesn't take too many irresponsible off-road vehicle users to do serious damage to the forest. Because of that, a fee should be in place to provide for enforcement of the trail rules. And when damage does occur as a result of irresponsible riders, the fee should cover repairs." -- Rapid City Journal Editorial Board, "Off-road fee has merit," Rapid City Journal (10/22/08)

"As the county has cut back on law enforcement, the effects are readily visible. East of Discovery Park on a recent weekday, a trio of men could be seen illegally riding their all- terrain vehicles near the foot and bike path." -- Sacramento Bee Editorial Board, "Is parkway beloved, or a burden?", Sacramento Bee (9/2/10)

"Just as fees from hunters and anglers go to enforcing laws aimed to prevent abuses within those groups, off-highway vehicle enthusiasts need to recognize that problem and kick in to bolster enforcement and restoration efforts their sport needs." -- Durango Herald Editorial Board, "OHV fees, Reallocation, not increase, makes sense", Durango Herald (1/27/10)

"Johnston and others who lead groups of ATV users should do more to guarantee that their members will use the vehicles responsibly before they demand more extensive access."-- Salt Lake Tribune Editorial Board, "Land debate", Salt Lake Tribune (8/5/10)

"...an all-terrain vehicle operator who flouts the law by going off of authorized roads and trails will make things tougher for other riders in the long run. Such an ATV rider may get away with his destructive scofflaw activities for now, if only because authorities can't come even close to patrolling all of the millions of acres of public land and thousands of miles of roads and trails in Montana...But over the long haul, instances such as those cited in last Thursday's Outdoors section of the Tribune are likely to create a backlash among folks who might otherwise not care if an ATV rider wants to enjoy public lands with them." -- Great Falls Tribune Editorial Board, "ATV riders: Don't be the bad apples who spoil it for all," Great Falls Tribune (10/7/08)

"The thrill of playing in the mud is apparently hard for some people to resist. Nothing else can explain the frequency with which riders of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) stray off designated trails to churn pristine wetlands into ugly rutted mudholes...But stiffer fines and penalties, including the confiscation of the machines of purposeful offenders, would likely be a more effective deterrent to riders tempted to play in the mud." -- Minneapolis Star Tribune Editorial Board, "Stiffer fines in order for ATV renegades," Minneapolis Star Tribune (9/17/08)

"As is often the case, a small population of off-road riders have generated enough complaints and concerns to warrant action - both from the forest service and local enthusiasts. The forest service efforts in trail management and the private efforts to manage the growing off-road vehicle industry are positive moves that will result in more enjoyment for riders and a better managed national forest." -- Rapid City Journal Editorial, "Off-road efforts good for all users", Rapid City Journal (10/21/09)

"Racing through the woods on these machines destroys vegetation and habitat and tears up trail beds. Under this measure, violators will be easier to identify due to the requirement that these vehicles be both registered and numbered." -- Press of Atlantic City Editorial Board, "Regulating ATVs / Better than nothing", Press of Atlantic City (1/19/10)

"Simply enforcing the existing rules, with stiff fines as the hammer, might just do it." -- Bakersfield Californian Editorial Board, "Enforce current rules for desert off-road racing", Bakersfield Californian (8/19/10)

"The popularity of quads has resulted in a seven-fold explosion of use in the past decade. The Tonto (National Forest) now has more ORV users than any other forest in the country. Forest officials had no choice but to try to contain the carnage, and every responsible user must support that effort." -- Editorial, Payson Roundup (10/27/09)

" The public's interest is in enforcing the law to protect public and private property, not inviting more destruction." -- Lexington Herald-Leader Editorial Board, "Keep ATVs in their place," Lexington Herald-Leader (8/22/08)

"Although permits are required and rules say [ATV] riders must stay on trails, observe safety rules and avoid damage to the land, riders routinely go off-trail, ripping up hillsides and hastening erosion... ATV riders also have a history of ignoring private-property signs and riding onto adjoining private forests, continuing the damage there...Many riders are law-abiding, but the bad actors have done harm that might be irreparable." -- The Columbus Dispatch Editorial Board, "Watch the woods," The Columbus Dispatch (4/3/09)

"A few years ago, the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation commissioned Utah State University to survey riders. The poll found that almost half of ATV riders prefer to ride off established trails...The survey also suggested that the fear of getting caught and ticketed was a far bigger concern for riders than preserving the environment...ORV enthusiasts have to take the lead on this. They have to admit that it isn't just a "few bad apples," but a significant portion of riders who go off trails and damage wilderness areas. We urge all riders to give this all more thought, and take more care to stay on the trails and preserve Utah's superb landscape." -- Daily Herald Editorial Board, "ORV riders must take lead," Daily Herald (10/9/08)

"George Washington and Jefferson National Forests officials are right to crack down on free-wheeling scofflaws who illegally ride on federal land, particularly when the Forest Service has taken steps to accommodate all-terrain vehicles and off-road motorcycles with designated trails." -- Editorial Board, "A Welcome Crackdown on ATVs in the Forests," Roanoke Times (1/14/07)

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites