EDITORIAL
By Don AmadorAugust 21, 2013
*Permission to
reprint or publish is hereby granted
I believe that OHV club events are culturally significant
and are a foundational component of motorized recreation. Amateur events such enduros, poker-runs, and
dual-sport rides have become an important part of the recreational opportunity
spectrum on state and federal lands.
They strengthen the family, create a sense of stewardship, and provide
an economic benefit to the local community.
Amateur events are where the entire family usually attends
to participate and/or support that relative who has signed up to ride. Vacations are often planned to coincide with
the event. Vehicle and equipment
preparation is where many valuable lessons are handed down from parent to
child.
Long standing events such as the Oakland Motorcycle Club’s
Jackhammer Enduro have taken place on Forest Service lands for over 40
years. I believe these club “legacy events”
creates generational ownership, pride, and stewardship of affected public
lands.
Amateur events can also stimulate the local economy as
riders patronize area restaurants, grocery stores, hotels, and gas stations.
In California, amateur event participants contribute
directly to the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division’s grant program
via their vehicle registration fees and fuel taxes. Those trust funds are then used to support
public land-related trail maintenance, law enforcement, environmental
restoration, and safety.
I believe that public land agencies should be encouraging
club events as a way to strengthen partnerships, support family togetherness, stimulate
volunteerism at the club level, and to provide an economic benefit to the local
community.
# # #
Don Amador writes
on environmental and land-use issues from his office in Oakley, CA. He may be
reached via email at: damador@quietwarriorracing.com
