March 26th, 2008
Senate Bill to Overturn Ban on Youth ATVs and Dirt Bikes Introduced!
Weigh in to Have Your Voice Heard!
Youth sized ATVs and dirt bikes are still banned. We need your help to =
continue to build enough pressure to get the ban overturned. It is =
unlikely that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) will act to =
approve the Motorcycle Industry Council=E2=80=99s petition to grant =
regulatory relief. This means we need Congress to act.=20
Senator Tester (D-MT) has introduced legislation, S. 608 that would stop =
the ban. Please click the Send This Message button below to urge your =
Senators and Members of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation =
Committee to support this bill.
ARRA members have responded in huge numbers on this issue already, but =
it is important that you continue to have your voice heard.
After you weigh in, please use the Tell-A-Friend feature, located in the =
left tool bar, to forward this alert to everyone you know that rides. =
It is imperative that the voice of every rider be heard!
For more information visit
www.stopthebannow.com.
March 25th, 2008
CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE APPROVES BILL TO PROTECT HEALTH INSURANCE FOR RIDERS
On March 4, by voice vote, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed
bipartisan legislation to strengthen health insurance coverage for injuries
incurred while participating in legal recreational and transportation
activities, such as motorcycling, riding ATVs, snowmobiling and horseback
riding.
"This bill requires health insurance companies to be up front and honest
with their policy holders when limitations or restrictions are placed on
benefits," said Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) who introduced the measure with Rep.
Michael Burgess (R-TX).. "Many Americans are unaware that their health
insurance may not cover injuries resulting from certain recreational
activities because their policy is unclear or overly broad."
H.R. 1253, the "Health Insurance Restrictions and Limitations Clarification
Act of 2009", would establish new disclosure rules requiring health
insurance plans to provide a description of limitations and exclusions in
their policies. Specifically, the bill requires that coverage exclusions
must be "explicit and clear" and that they must be disclosed to plan
sponsors in advance of the point of sale. The bill further requires that
plan sponsors and insurers must disclose such coverage exclusions to
enrollees "in a form that is easily understandable" both before enrollment
and upon their enrollment at the earliest opportunity that other materials
are provided.
In January 2001, a rule was issued that created an inadvertent loophole in
the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Because of
the way the rule was written, it has allowed insurers to deny health
benefits for a covered injury resulting from participation in recreational
activities such as skiing, horseback riding, ATV riding, snowmobiling and
motorcycling.
In many situations the exclusions are unclear or overly broad, creating
confusion for individuals who may ride motorcycles, horses, snowmobiles,
ATVs or participate in other legal activities that could result in an
injury.
"Passing this straight forward legislation would protect those across the
country who ride motorcycles, horses, snowmobiles, ATVs or participate in
other recreational activities from being caught by surprise," Stupak said.
Stupak is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which
has jurisdiction over health policy. H.R. 1253 awaits consideration by the
full House of Representatives, which previously approved the legislation in
September 2008, but the bill was not considered by the Senate in the 110th
Congress.
KIDDIE BIKE BAN COULD COST BILLIONS
The new lead-content rules that have banned the sales of many youth
motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles could cost the industry over $1 billion
in lost economic value this year, predicts the Motorcycle Industry Council.
Last year, more than 100,000 of the youth-oriented vehicles were sold.
Today, more than 13,000 dealers nationwide are stuck holding onto millions
of dollars in inventory as the off-road industry now finds itself crippled
and rather confused in the destructive wake of the CPSIA in an already harsh
economy.
Motorcycle dealers across the country are fuming, saying the ban couldn't
have come at a worse time, making sluggish sales in a tough economy even
tougher. Powersports manufacturers are advising their dealers to pull the
banned models off the sales floor or risk heavy fines under the Consumer
Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, which went into force February 10th.
Intentionally or otherwise, the CPSIA has effectively banned the production,
importing and sale of kids' motorcycles and ATVs because certain parts of
the vehicles unavoidably contain more lead than is deemed allowable on
children's products - for instance, on the battery terminals, brake
components and valve stems - and the CPSC has interpreted this to mean that
OHVs (off-highway vehicles) present a lead-poisoning threat to children 12
and under. Not only can they not sell the new vehicles, but they're not even
allowed to sell parts for them!
Dealers from every corner of the country and other concerned individuals
have flooded the CPSC and Congress with calls, e-mails and more than 100,000
letters complaining about the new law and urging support for exclusions from
the act for powersports vehicles, parts and accessories.
They claim in part that the lead present in their products pose no health
risk to children because the only interaction would be by hand, not mouth,
and that a toxicologist study reveals that exposure is substantially less
than the intake of lead from food and water.
UTAH MAY REWARD HELMET WEARERS
In a unique and interesting twist to mandatory helmet laws, the state of
Utah is considering a bill that would reward riders who break the law while
wearing a helmet.
The House Transportation Committee unanimously approved a proposal from Rep.
Ronda Rudd Menlove (R-Garland) that would knock $10 off of the fine for
motorcyclists cited for traffic violations if they are wearing a helmet at
the time.
"Instead of just punishment, why not give an incentive for people to use a
helmet?," Menlove told the Standard-Examiner newspaper.
The committee also unanimously tabled a bill that would mandate helmet use
for all riders in Utah's largest cities.&nb sp; Additionally, the measure
would have increased the age limit at which motorcycle riders in Utah are
required to wear helmets from 18 to 21; require anyone riding with a
passenger under 21 to wear a helmet; and require riders of any age operating
on a learning permit to wear a helmet.
A contingent of bikers came to the committee meeting to voice their
opposition to the bill. Eric Stine, education coordinator for ABATE Utah,
said the focus of motorcycle safety should be on educating the public about
watching for motorcyclists while driving. "We believe in accident
prevention, not safer crashes. Many sports and activities are more dangerous
than motorcycle riding. We will never be able to legislate the risk out of
living."
SHOW-ME FREEDOM
Missouri is the latest state looking to give adult motorcycle riders the
choice of wearing a helmet while riding. The Missouri Senate has endorsed
legislation that, if signed into law, would repeal their decades-old helmet
law and allow motorcyclists 21 and older the option to ride without a
helmet.
Many feel the bill stands a good chance of passing because Senators this
year tacked the helmet provisions onto a larger bill regarding motorcycle
insurance. The bill, sponsored by State Senator Luann Ridgeway of District
17, was approved with little debate and is expected to pass easily in the
House, whic h generally has been more receptive to efforts to repeal helmet
requirements for adults. According to Freedom of Road Riders (FORR-MO), a
non-profit motorcyclists' advocacy group, the change in legislation would be
a welcome one.
In the meantime, several other states are reviewing motorcycle helmet laws,
including Arkansas where a proposal to require motorcyclists to wear a
helmet or carry thousands of dollars in health insurance failed to make it
out of committee.
Senate Bill 29 by Sen. Kim Hendren (R-Gravette) would have compelled
motorcyclists to provide proof of at least $10,000 in health insu rance
coverage if they opted to not wear a helmet, but the proposal failed to get
a motion recommending its passage and died in the Senate Transportation,
Technology and Legislative Affairs Committee. Legislators were overwhelmed
by calls to committee members from motorcycle enthusiasts, lead by ABATE of
Arkansas, who argued that the measure would unfairly target them, negatively
impact tourism, and would drive business away from the state's motorcycle
dealers.
In Nevada, Assemblyman Don Gustavson (R-Sparks) has introduced AB300 to
repeal state law which has mandated helmet usage since 1971. In seeking to
modify current law to allow choice for motorcyclists 21 years or older with
at least one year experience, Gustavson is citing studies which prove that
mandated helmet laws injure the economy while doing little to increase
safety. Using California as an example, Gustavson said the death rate was 2%
higher after passage of mandated helmet usage, while revenues continually
declined due to loss of registration fees and sales taxes from weakened
motorcycle sales. "Our neighbor suffered a 26% drop in new motorcycle sales
in 1992-93 after passage of their mandatory helmet law resulting in job loss
and costing the state nearly $17 million in lost tax & fee revenue."
Gustavson said that tourism will increase in Nevada after the law is
modified. Using Pennsylvania as an example, Gustavson pointed out that
"Thunder in the Valley" saw attendance jump from 70,000 to over 100,000 the
very first year after their law was modified.
Gustavson also emphasized that repeal of current law will add jobs and
multiply revenues to Nevada through additional sales and payroll taxes
without increasing any new fees or taxes. After Florida reformed their
helmet law, motorcycle sales jumped 143% in Florida in five years generating
$166 million in sales tax revenue.
Last November, Assemblyman Gustavson was selected by the NCOM Board of
Directors to receive the Silver Spoke Award for Government at the upcoming
NCOM Convention, May 7-10, 2009 at the Nugget Casino & Resort in Reno,
Nevada. For more information, call the National Coalition of Motorcyclists
at (800) 525-5355 or visit www.ON-A-BIKE.com.
RIDE SMART - MOTORCYCLES IMPROVE BRAIN FUNCTION Riding motorcycles helps
keep drivers young by invigorating their brains, the scientist behind
popular "Brain Training" computer software said recently, citing a new
scientific study. "The driver's brain gets activated by riding motorbikes"
in part because it requires heightened alertness, Japanese neuroscientist
Ryuta Kawashima said after his research team and Yamaha Motor conducted a
string of experiments involving middle-aged men.
"In a convenient and easy environment, the human mind and body get used to
setting the hurdle low," he warned. "Our final conclusion is that riding
motorcycles can lead to smart ageing."
Kawashima is the designer of "Brain Training" software, which incorporates
quizzes and other games and is available on the Nintendo DS game console
under the name "Brain Age".
A self-professed motorcycle fan, 49-year-old Kawashima cited a new study
conducted jointly by Yamaha and Tohoku University, for which he works.
One experiment involved 22 men in their 40s and 50s who held motorcycle
licenses but had not operated a cycle for at least a decade. They were
randomly split into two groups, with one asked to resume riding motorcycles
in everyday life for two months, and another that kept using bicycles or
cars. Kawashima says research showed the motorcycle-riding team demonstrated
improvements in memory, space recognition and other functions of the
prefrontal area. The area covers memory, information processing and
concentration functions.
"The group that rode motorbikes posted higher marks in cognitive function
tests," Kawashima said.
In a test requiring the men to remember a set of numbers in reverse order,
the riders' scores jumped by more than 50 percent in two months, while the
non-riders' marks deteriorated slightly, he said.
The riders also said they made fewer mistakes at work and felt happier.
"Mental care is a very big issue in modern society," said Kawashima. "I
think we made an interesting stir here as data showed you can improve your
mental condition simply by using motorbikes to commute."
In 2003, Kawashima authored "Train Your Brain: 60 Days to a Better Brain".
More recently, he teamed with Toyota to help develop intelligent cars
designed to help seniors drive safely.
QUOTABLE QUOTE: "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the
things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines,
Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream."
Mark Twain (aka Samuel Clemens,1835-1910), American writer & humorist
March 25th, 2008
AMA News and Notes
April 2009
News & Notes is a monthly publication compiled and edited by the American
Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Government Relations Department. Designed to
inform motorcyclists of 'rights'-related issues and events around the world,
News and Notes welcomes your input. Suggestions and contributions can be
sent to Sheila Andrews, AMA Legislative Assistant, by e-mail at
sandrews@ama-cycle.org.
Sign up and stay informed: AMA's electronic Action Alerts and
News & Notes will keep you informed on hot topics, news affecting the
motorcycling community, and opportunities to communicate with your elected
officials. By signing up to receive AMA Action Alerts, you will be notified
by e-mail when you can make a difference on important issues.
Click
here to see the most recent Action Alerts, and
click
here to sign up.
In addition to signing up for our Action Alerts, you can sign up to receive
AMA's monthly electronic edition of News & Notes. News & Notes will keep you
informed on motorcycle-related issues and events around the world.
Click
here and check the "Sign me up for AMA's Government Relations News & Notes"
box at the bottom of the page.
All Youth OHV Sales Halted: Consumer Product Safety Improvement
Act (CSPIA) shuts down all sales of youth model off-highway vehicles (OHVs).
Citing a law that regulates lead levels in children's products, the Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has effectively banned the sale of all
youth OHVs as of Feb. 10, 2009. The AMA is calling on everyone to take
action now to help reverse the potentially devastating effect this could
have on OHV recreation. Go to:
http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/story.asp?id=629 to see the full story. To
read the AMA's comments to the CPSC visit:
http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/story.asp?id=595
Omnibus Public Lands Bill (S22): A major wilderness bill that
was supposed to be a quick victory for the new congressional majority is now
on hold due to a lack of support in the House of Representatives. The
measure, Senate Bill 22, also known as the Omnibus Public Lands Bill, is
actually a package of more than 160 bills that were melded together to
create a single bill of more than 1,300 pages in length.
Every AMA member, off-highway motorcyclist, all-terrain vehicle
(ATV) rider and anyone who supports responsible outdoor recreation is urged
to continue contacting their senators and representatives and ask them to
reject this bill. The measure would ban motorized recreation on 2.1 million
acres of public land and inappropriately designate it as Wilderness. The
procedure used for fast-tracking this bill through the U.S. Senate and House
clearly violates the spirit of open and democratic government. For the full
release and a link to a rapid response letter on this issue go to:
http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/story.asp?id=592
Illinois Bill Would Prohibit Youth Riding: House Bill 3914,
introduced by Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago), would make it illegal for
anyone under the age of 16 to operate an ATV or off-highway motorcycle
(OHM). Further, the proposed legislation would make it illegal to transport
a passenger on an ATV or OHM regardless of whether the vehicle is configured
for a passenger. The bill would also require ATV and OHM riders to have a
valid driver's license and wear a helmet. This legislation was referred to
the Committee on Rules on February 26. The text of HB-3914 is available on
the "Rights" page of
http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com. Additional updates will be posted as
they become available.
AMA, others blast pending OHV study as flawed. Nine national
off-highway vehicle (OHV) groups, including the AMA, recently sent a letter
to the federal Government Accountability Office (GAO) noting that an ongoing
GAO study on OHV use is flawed in such a way that any findings will be
skewed against OHV use on federal lands.
A principal component of the study is a survey of federal land
managers that ostensibly seeks to determine trends in the amount of OHV use,
potential environmental and human health and safety impacts and how federal
agencies are managing OHV use and enforcing OHV regulations. Managers from
the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service and the U.S. Forest
Service received the survey and were asked to respond.
This letter was signed by representatives of Americans for
Responsible Recreational Access, the AMA, The BlueRibbon Coalition,
Motorcycle Industry Council, National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation
Council, Off-Road Business Association, Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle
Association, Specialty Vehicle Institute of America and the United Four
Wheel Drive Associations.
The letter noted that GAO's survey questions ignore ongoing
federal management activities and are ambiguous, subjective and lack
context. Both the BLM and the USFS are currently engaged in multi-year
efforts to improve OHV management by designating which trails are open for
motorized use on each unit and forest.
Source:
http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/story.asp?id=600
The National 4-H Headquarters, in collaboration between National
4-H Council and the ATV Safety Institute, has announced a request for
proposals for its 2009 ATV Safety grants. Please contact your local county
4-H office if you are interested in partnering with them to promote ATV
safety. The application Deadline is Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 5PM, EST
Information and the grant application can be found at
www.atv-youth.org. If you have any questions, contact Sheila Chaconas, 4-H
ATV Safety Account Manage, at 301-961-2858.
California bill proposes emissions testing for motorcycles.
Recently, California State Senator Fran Pavley introduced legislation that
would "amend Section 44011 of, and to add Section 44012.5 to, the Health and
Safety Code, relating to air pollution." If passed this legislation would
require motorcycle owners in California to get smog checks for their
motorcycles once every two years. The law would take effect January 1, 2012
and cover all on-highway motorcycles model year 2000 or newer. A majority
vote would be required to pass this new legislation into law and could occur
any time after March 28. Visit
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/sen/sb_0401-0450/sb_435_bill_200902
26_introduced.html to see the full text of the bill. Opponents of the bill
say that that it is simply a thinly veiled attempt to levy yet another fee
to offset the states record budget deficit and point to last month's raid of
the OHV trust fund of $90 million dollars for non-OHV related expenditures.
The bikes potentially affected are in fact the cleanest in the nation,
having already been required to meet the stricter CA emissions standards
years prior to similar requirements being adopted by the EPA.
Motorcyclists benefit from historic economic stimulus bill.
Language that provides a tax deduction for the purchase of a motorcycle has
been added to the recent economic stimulus bill. The AMA, in conjunction
with other stakeholders, worked diligently to secure the motorcycle
provision within the measure.
Specifically, motorcycles are included as "qualified vehicles"
in Section 1008 of the legislation. Those purchasing a new motorcycle will
be able to deduct the sales and excise taxes on their 2009 tax returns.
Prior to the actions taken by the AMA, Harley Davidson and others, the
deductions applied only to the purchase of a new car or light truck. Details
of the deduction, which are currently being developed by the Treasury
Department, will be provided in a future News and Notes.
Source:
http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/story.asp?id=627
The AMA is looking for Public Service Announcements (PSAs) that
have been produced by state motorcyclists' rights organizations and request
that links to or copies of PSAs be sent to the AMA for inclusion in a
resources library. Recently, at the 12th annual Hoosier Motorcyclist
Roundtable, attendees were made aware of eight online PSAs produced by ABATE
of Indiana. These videos, and others like them, are excellent examples of
what is being done in the field to promote motorcycle safety, awareness, and
rider education. Visit
http://www.igot2know.com/index.php?videoid=1752&partnerid=71 to view the
videos.
The AMA has announced the creation of three separate one
million-dollar endowments for the AMA's Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the
Association's government relations activities and its amateur racing
programs. AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman made the announcement at a press
conference preceding the opening of the annual Dealernews International
Powersports Dealer Expo in Indianapolis.
"We are very pleased to be able to make these substantial commitments to
three of the AMA's most cherished activities: the Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Museum, the advocacy efforts of our Government Relations Department, and the
amateur racing series and championships enjoyed by tens of thousands of AMA
members," Dingman said.
Source:
http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/story.asp?id=616
North Port, Florida: City leaders discuss cancelling an OHV
ordinance that prohibits ATV use and camping on city-owned land and private
property. North Port's tracts of undeveloped land historically drew many OHV
users, but some area residents complained about noise and feared the
activity would hurt property values. Recently city commission chairwoman
Vanessa Carusone, an ATV rider herself, said the law is flawed and said a
group of citizens asked her to propose its repeal. People who break the
camping-ATV law repeatedly face up to a $1,000 fine or 90 days in jail.
Source:
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090303/ARTICLE/903030389
Ohio: Public forums will help guide future of off-highway
recreation. Ohio is one of the most popular states in the country for
off-highway vehicle sales and recreation. To identify the issues and needs
of motorized users of the state's public trails systems, the Ohio Department
of Natural Resources Office of Trails will hold meetings in four locations
around the state, including one sponsored by the AMA and held near the
Association's offices in Pickerington. The meetings will help the Office of
Trails as it compiles the standalone Motorized Trails Plan for Ohio, which
will provide a vision for the next three to five years that will guide the
Office as it addresses the needs of Ohio's trail users.
Source:
http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/story.asp?id=668
NAPLES, Florida: Collier and Miami-Dade County officials are
considering whether to turn an old airport into an OHV park. The property is
mostly located in Collier County and was originally a 13,000-foot runway.
Officials think they can create 20 miles of trail for OHVs such as ATVs and
dirt bikes. Camping, fishing, piers and possibly an archery range are also
being considered.
Source:
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/search/content/gen/ap/FL_Off_Road_Park.html
London, England: Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI)
announces Code of Conduct as London launches City-Wide Experimental Bus Lane
Access for Powered Two Wheelers. To coincide with the recent opening of
London's primary route bus lanes to motorcyclists, the MCI has announced a
new Code of Conduct for motorcyclists who will be enjoying the new freedom
to use bus lanes. The Code has been developed in partnership with the London
Police and is supported by motorcycle riders' groups, the media and
motorcycle dealerships.
The Code contains guidance and gives information to
motorcyclists about the safe and responsible use of bus lanes. The most
important point is that bus lanes are shared road space and are also used by
other vulnerable road users such as cyclists.
Source:
http://www.acem.eu/NWSL/newsl18/buslanes.htm
France: Motorcycle riders are protesting a new motorcycle
specific law that takes effect in April. This law will allow a law
enforcement officer to order any motorcycle towed for an inspection to
ensure legal conformity. Further angering riders is the fact that the law
does not stipulate any requirements for the person inspecting the
motorcycle.
After the owner has completed any required "repairs" the bike
must again be verified. Adding insult to injury, any owner whose bike is
inspected and found to be in compliance will still be required to pay any
costs associated with the inspection.
Source:
http://www.motosportsbusiness.com/new-french-motorcycle-laws-protest-nest-pa
s/
Championed by the KMA/KBA (Kentucky Motorcycle Association /
Kentucky Bikers Association), on March 5 the Kentucky Senate adopted Senate
Resolution 86, designating May 2009 as Motorcycle Awareness Month. SR-86
urges all Kentuckians to share the road and keep motorcycle safety in mind
as they travel the Commonwealth's streets and highways.
June 6th, 2008
Ouachita National Forest Receives Extension on Travel Management Decision
Route Designations to Take Effect in Spring 2009
HOT SPRINGS, AR -- The Ouachita National Forest has received an extension for implementing travel management proposals in Arkansas and Oklahoma. The request was submitted in March of this year. A number of other national forests across the country have also received extensions for a variety of reasons.
According to Ouachita National Forest Supervisor Norm Wagoner, the extension will allow forest managers more time to evaluate the more than 800 comments received during the official comment period. A decision is anticipated by December 2008 and publication of the motor vehicle use maps is anticipated by April 2009. The published maps will display where motor vehicle uses will be allowed on public land managed by the Forest Service.
“It became clear to us that the original proposed timeline would not allow us to conduct an adequate analysis of the public comments,” he said. “We felt it was important to do this right the first time, whether we were able to meet our initial deadline or not.”
The travel management proposal recommends approximately 3,300 miles of forest roads be open for motorized use. The proposed action also includes corridors that would allow motorized access to dispersed camping sites or for retrieving large game during hunting seasons.
“One of the most important things the extension will allow us to do is to continue our dialogue with the public,” said Wagoner. “We want people who travel in the Ouachita National Forest to understand why motor vehicle use must be managed. The additional time the extension affords us will allow more opportunities to cultivate that two-way conversation.”
Wagoner added that the extension also allows contact with hunters through one more deer season before the new designations take effect. “Hunters and recreational riders have worked with us throughout this entire process. I sincerely appreciate their participation and active involvement, as well as that of our elected officials.”
For more information on travel management proposals in the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas and Oklahoma, contact the nearest Ranger District office, the Supervisor’s Office at (501) 321-5202 or log on to www.aokforests.com.
March 15, 2008
The Ninth annual Razorback Ramble returns to Superlift Off-Road Park in Hot springs. If you have never been to Superlift Park, check out the photos from previous events. The park sits just outside Hot Springs National Park, and within a short drive of Lakes Catherine, Hamilton and Ouachita. Superlift is privately owned, and the folks there have worked extremely hard to make it one of the premiere wheeling spots in the state, with MILES of well marked and well maintained trails for the novice and hardcore alike.
The fee for entering the park is normally $25.00 per day. However, when you register for the Razorback Ramble you get two and a half days of access, several organized runs of your choice, a Ramble T-shirt, one driver's raffle ticket for the Grand Prize drawing, and one meal ticket for Saturday dinner... all for only $80.00 per vehicle!
But wait!! There's more! Your Razorback Ramble entry fee also includes a one year Premiere Membership to Superlift Park! That means that you can return to the park for just $10 a day for a year. There is normally a one time fee of $48 for Premiere Memberships, but Superlift Park is waiving the fee for all registered Ramble participants.
The Razorback Ramble is a TLCA Sanctioned Toyota-only event and will be limited to a maximum of 75 vehicles. Registration info will be available here soon, or look for an applicaiton in upcoming Issues of TLCA's Toyota Trails magazine.
Sign up on-line today!
Check-in will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, June 6st, and will continue throughout the weekend at Superlift Park. A variety of guided runs will be held on Friday, but you are also welcome to explore the park on your own. We'll spend all day Saturday hitting the trails, and after we've had our fill of great food the raffle will commence around a nice, cozy campfire (you must be present to win). If conditions permit, we will make a night run to view the city lights of Hot Springs from atop the hills. Those of us who just have to have some last-minute wheeling will be welcome to stay for half a day Sunday, but there will not be any organized runs and additional time beyond noon Sunday will require paying Superlift the normal use fee ($10).
If you have never been to Hot Springs, you should definitley try to stay long enough to take in some of the great scenery, shops and attractions. Superlift Park is only a few minurtes from historic downtown and the famous Bath House Row. Hot Springs is surrounded by beautiful lakes, clear winding streams and sweeping vistas.
Limited primitive camping is available at Superlift Park, and the nearby KOA Kampground offers even more great campsites and cabins.
Safety is extremely important. All trucks must meet minimum equipment guidelines and comply with TLCA and Superlift Park rules and regulations. Each truck will be inspected before hitting the trails. Note: Any RLC officer or appointed trail guide can disqualify a vehicle as a result of the the driver's behavior or vehicle's inability to complete the trail. No alcohol will be permitted on the trail. All vehicles must have a roll bar or hard top, seat belts, tow strap, and must be licensed and insured. A CB or GMRS/FRS radio and Hi-Lift jack are recommended.
For more Info Visit
Feb. 5, 2008
Ouachita National Forest Schedules Extended Hours for Public
Hot Springs, AR — Members of the public will have an opportunity to meet with District personnel and discuss the Ouachita National Forest’s proposals for designated routes for motorized vehicle use, including use by off-highway vehicles at Extended Hours Sessions scheduled at District offices in Arkansas over the next two weeks.
Maps of the proposed routes on the Districts will be available at that time for inspection and comment. Additionally District personnel will be available to discuss conditions under which motorized vehicles could be used to retrieve large game or access dispersed camping sites. Open House sessions were held in Oklahoma earlier this year.
Under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Travel Management Rule, a system of roads and trails for public use of motorized vehicles, including Off Highway Vehicles (OHVs) will be designated and motorized vehicles will be limited to those designated roads and trails. Motor vehicle use off designated routes and outside designated areas will be prohibited after a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) is published. The anticipated publication date of the MVUM is October 2008.
Forest managers considered previous public comments and additional information obtained from time spent on the ground to develop the current proposal. This will be the third set of public forums within 12 months during which the public has had a chance to voice their comments to forest managers.
The Extended Hours Sessions will allow participants to review the latest proposal and discuss issues with Forest personnel. Participants will also gain information on how to submit written comments on the detailed proposed action to designate routes and corridors for motor vehicle use once the official comment period begins later in February 2008.
(more)
Travel Management Extended Hours Sessions
Page 2
The Extended Hours Sessions will run from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in a “come and go” format at the following locations:
Tuesday, February 12th Jessieville, AR Jessieville Ranger District Office
8607 Hwy. 7 North
Jessieville, AR
(501) 984-5313
Wednesday, February 13th Danville, AR Fourche Ranger District Office
Hwy. 10 East
Danville, AR
(479) 495-2844
Wednesday, February 13th Mt. Ida, AR Womble Ranger District Office
1523 Hwy. 270 East
Mt. Ida, AR
(870) 867-2101
Thursday, February 14th Waldron, AR Poteau Ranger District Office
Jct. of Hwy. 71 & 248
Waldron, AR
(479) 637-4174
Tuesday, February 19th Mena, AR* Mena Ranger District Office
1603 Hwy. 71 North
Mena, AR
(479) 394-2382
*The Mena Office will be open until 7:30 p.m.
Additional information can be obtained at www.fs.fed.us/r8/ouachita or by contacting the district offices.
Dec 13, 2007
Aftermarket Company Teams Up With Central Coast Motorcycle Club To Protect Access
COALINGA, CA—Billet Racing Products (BRP) and the Salinas Ramblers Motorcycle Club (SRMC) hosted the "1st Annual BRP Save Clear Creek Fun Ride" on December 7-9, 2007. Over 250 riders from northern and southern California, many from AMA Districts 36 and 37 member clubs, attended the event to help raise funds to protect OHV access to the Clear Creek Management Area via the BlueRibbon Coalition's Legal Defense Fund.
The charity ride was the brainchild of BRP president, Jim Rios, and SRMC's Frank Rogers and Manuel Datan. The event was held on the club's 320 acre facility which is also the home base for the Picacho Creek Challenge National Hare Scrambles in February 2008. A donation of $6,000 was presented to the BlueRibbon Coalition's Legal Defense Fund at a special ceremony on December 9.
Jim Rios, president of BRP, stated, "This event was a true grassroots success. It not only raised funds for legal efforts to protect riding at Clear Creek but it also helped educate the participants about the need to be advocates for our sport."
"BRP is proud to have been given the opportunity to team up with SRMC at this first ever Fun Ride. It was made possible by the club's hard work and also support from numerous sponsors and affiliated organizations. A special thanks as well to the trail guides from the TimeKeepers Motorcycle Club. I know we are all looking forward to making this an annual event," Rios concluded.
Dec 7, 2007
Bill targets off-road vehicles
Associated Press
TRENTON - The 300,000 New Jerseyans who drive off-road vehicles would face harsh penalties for riding them in state parks under a bill pushed forward yesterday by Assembly legislators.
The proposal was endorsed by environmentalists, who say the vehicles are destroying pristine areas and endangering park staff and visitors.
Gylla MacGregor of the New Jersey Audobon Society said: "I've seen ATVs ride right through habitats, pulling up timbers that we put in place and riding right over where the snakes are."
Off-road vehicle users say they are being targeted for the shoddy actions of a few. They also say the state should provide more areas where they can ride legally.
The bill would amend a 1973 law that imposes a maximum fine of $200 for taking off-road vehicles onto state land. The new law would allow authorities to impound the vehicle for at least 48 hours and to charge owners $500, plus towing and storage.
It also would permit authorities to impose a two-year driver's license suspension on anyone who operates an off-road vehicle in a state park.
source - http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20071207_Bill_targets_off-road_vehicles.html
November 15, 2007
Recreation Management degree lets you combine your work and your passion
Off-highway vehicle recreation has finally gained some legitimacy in the academic world.
How is that? Well, at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, students can graduate with a degree in OHV Recreation Management. These are specific college-level courses for the folks who will be making a career (or who may already be engaged in one) of implementing and managing the hundreds of OHV public trail systems throughout the country. Previously, many of land managers in those positions did not have any experience at all with off-highway recreation and were taking on the task blindly.
The Park and Recreational Resources program at Marshal University offers a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in parks and conservation and you can now major in OHV Recreation Management.
"This is a great new opportunity for anyone who is considering a career in parks or recreation and who also happens to be an OHV enthusiast," says National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council Communications Director Steve Casper. "It is a dream of most of us to be able join our work and play in some capacity, and having a college degree in OHV Recreation Management can do just that. With that on a resume, you will be looked up to as an expert in that field and will likely get the position you really want."
Students and land managers throughout the country can now take the OHV recreation management course curricula via the Internet. No campus visits are required to complete the distance-learning courses.
Complete admission and enrollment information for online courses is available at the Marshall University website. You can also get more information by contacting Professor Raymond L. Busbee, Park and Recreation Resources, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25755, or call (304) 696-2922.
|
