TIPS FOR RESPONSIBLE ATV RIDING
Knowing how to minimize your impact on the environment when you ride is critical. Below are some quick tips on responsible ATV riding in the great outdoors using the TREAD principles.
TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY
Travel responsibly on designated roads, trails or areas.
Travel only in areas open to all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use.
Minimize wheel spin. On switchbacks, avoid roosting around the apex of the turn when climbing or brake-sliding during descent, both of which gouge the trail.
Drive over, not around obstacles to avoid widening the trail.
Slow down when sight lines are poor.
Cross streams only at designated fording points, where the trail crosses the stream.
Comply with all signs and respect barriers.
Buddy up with two or three riders, reducing vulnerability if you have an accident or breakdown. Designate meeting areas in case of separation.
Don’t mix riding with alcohol or drugs.
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DO YOUR PART
Do your part by modeling appropriate behavior, leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of waste, minimizing the use of fire, avoiding the spread of invasive species, and restoring degraded areas.
Carry a trash bag on your vehicle and pick up litter left by others.
Pack out what you pack in. Practice minimum impact camping by using established sites, camping 200 feet from water resources and trails.
Observe proper sanitary waste disposal or pack your waste out.
Spark arrestors are required on all OHVs traveling on public lands.
Prevent unnecessary noise created by a poorly tuned vehicle or revving your engine without need. Use proper silencers that meet regulatory decibel levels on exhausts.
Before and after a ride, wash your ATV and support vehicle to reduce the spread of invasive species.
Build a trail community. Get to know other types of recreationists that share your favorite trail.
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