Care About Your Environment When Motorcycle Off-Roading

Riding responsibly off-road means caring about your environment. It’s the right thing to do. And if you don’t, you’ll soon find your riding area shut down and out of bounds. You can be a responsible rider by adhering to these guidelines.

BE RESPECTFUL Travel only on designated roads and trails or in permitted areas. Respect the rights of others, including private property owners and campers. Keep speeds low around crowds and in camping areas. If crossing private property, be sure to ask permission from the landowner(s), and leave gates as you find them.

MAINTAIN CONTROL On slick trails, moderate the throttle and minimize wheelspin. Ride over, not around, obstacles to avoid widening the trail. Yield the right of way to those passing you or traveling uphill, and give way to mountain bikers, hikers and people on horseback.

KEEP NOISE DOWN Less sound equals more ground: Make sure your bike has a quiet exhaust system and a spark arrestor. Avoid spooking livestock and wildlife you encounter, and be sure to keep your distance.

TAKE CARE Avoid sensitive areas such as meadows, lakeshores, wetlands, and streams. Leave the area better than you found it: Properly dispose of waste (and pick up litter left by others) and minimize the use of fire. Help to avoid the spread of invasive species, and restore degraded areas. Consider joining a local environmental organization.