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Photo by Laurence Chen, UNEP and Peter Arnold, Inc.

RECENT NEWS

Bill would put curbs on ATV use
The Boston Globe, 08/24/2008

Environmental Police crack down on ATV use
The Milford Daily News, 08/23/2008

The Threat from ATVs
The Washington Post, 08/20/2008

Taking away some terrain from all-terrain vehicles
The Bristol Press, 08/20/2008

Closing of ATV park in Burlington Co. leaves riders stalled
Philadelphia Daily News, 08/19/2008

More Media Coverage >

THE DAMAGING RESULTS OF RECKLESS RIDING

This time series of disturbance in Dove Springs Open Area in the Mojave Desert California shows the proliferation of ORV trails from 1965 to 2001.

Backlash Against Illegal Off-Roading Grows

From coast to coast, there is a backlash against reckless off-road vehicle riding that is deeply troubling. Without effective deterrents, conflicts between reckless riders and private property owners are already spinning out of control, and in some cases costing lives.

The Washington Posts' report on 'Off-Road Rage' highlights this dangerous trend, finding that:

"As more and more Americans light out for backcountry trails, officials are seeing a parallel rise in episodes of "off-road rage": unpleasant, even violent encounters between drivers of all-terrain vehicles and hikers, mountain bikers and others."

The New Haven Register's reporting on 'vengeful acts' against illegal riders, illustrates the consequences of further escalation.

"When 13-year-old Nicholas Parisot died aboard his off-road motorbike in June, ATV enthusiast Dan Salomone was sickened and saddened, but not shocked. Nicholas, of Wilton, was killed when he struck a rope tied between trees across a private trail where he was riding, Wilton Police Capt. Michael Lombardo said. Nicholas died of neck injuries. Many ATV riders like Salomone, though, said they see Nicholas' death as an example of what can happen when tensions between riders and property owners escalate."

For more on this disturbing trend, please click here to read about incidents of reckless behavior involving ORVs and the backlash it is unfortunately creating.

About Responsible Trails America

Thousands of Americans responsibly use off-road vehicles for work and recreation. But a growing number of reckless riders damage public and private land, get themselves hurt, burden law enforcement, and ruin hunting, fishing and hiking experiences for the rest of us. Their actions are creating a backlash from sportsmen, property owners, ranchers, safety advocates, and taxpayers tired of paying to clean up the mess from irresponsible riders.

Responsible Trails America (RTA) is a broad coalition of Americans, who enjoy the outdoors both with and without off-roads, and want to handle this problem with some basic, common-sense steps. | Read more

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