IRVINE, Calif., May 26, 2006 -The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) and the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA) are providing resources to develop and conduct a series of workshops for U.S. Forest Service (USFS) personnel and OHV enthusiasts. The workshops are aimed at ensuring that the new OHV Route Designation Rule results in quality OHV trail systems that are adequate for demand, sustainable and fun. The "Travel Management; Designated Routes and Areas for Motor Vehicle Use Rule" requires each National Forest or ranger district to designate those roads, trails, and areas that are open to motor vehicles. The implementation of the rule will be a massive undertaking that will require individual forests to carry out an extensive process of route identification, evaluation, designation and mapping.
MIC, SVIA and Americans for Responsible Recreational Access (ARRA) are partnering with the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) to design the workshops, in collaboration with the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) and United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA). The workshops will be conducted by NOHVCC and held at selected locations throughout the country.
The curriculum for both the USFS personnel and OHV enthusiast workshops was developed at a collaborative summit in Salt Lake City in April. MIC, SVIA, ARRA and NOHVCC invited representatives from AMA, UFWDA, and BRC to meet over two days to generate outlines of course topics and content. Workshop objectives are to help USFS personnel better understand the needs of the OHV community, how to develop good trails systems, and how to facilitate OHV rider involvement. The enthusiast component will teach OHV riders how to effectively work with the USFS to help ensure their needs are met.
Workshop dates and locations have yet to be determined. NOHVCC anticipates that it will begin holding these workshops in the fall of 2006. Additional workshops will be held in 2007. Interested enthusiasts can be notified of workshops and other access related information in their area by registering with Americans for Responsible Recreational Access at http://www.arra-access.com/arra/join.htm.
The workshop concept grew from a number of discussions over the past year with U.S. Forest Service staff in Washington, DC regarding ways in which MIC and SVIA could work with the Forest Service to implement the OHV Route Designation Rule.
MIC's Senior Vice President for Government Relations Kathy Van Kleeck stated, "The importance of successful implementation of this Rule to the future of OHV recreation on our National Forests cannot be overstated. The Industry is committed to working with the United States Forest Service and the rider community over the next several years to achieve the goal of putting quality OHV trail systems in place."
About the Motorcycle Industry Council
The Motorcycle Industry Council is a not-for-profit, national trade association representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, scooters, motorcycle/ATV parts and accessories and members of allied trades, located in Irvine, California.
About the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America
Since 1983, the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America® has promoted the safe and responsible use of All-Terrain Vehicles through rider training programs, public awareness campaigns, and state legislation. The SVIA also serves as a resource for ATV research, statistics, and vehicle standards. The SVIA, based in Irvine, California, is a not-for-profit trade association sponsored by Arctic Cat, Bombardier, Bush Hog, Honda, John Deere, Kawasaki, Patriot, Polaris, Suzuki, Tomberlin and Yamaha. For membership information, call 949.727.3727; for safety information or to enroll in the ATV RiderCourseSM nearest you, visit www.atvsafety.org and click on "Online Enrollment," or call 800.887.2887.