Forget basketball, we have seen some real March Madness on the Nation’s OHV trails! More new folks availing themselves of our hard earned rights to recreate has had the unintended consequence of off riders not knowing off-road basics. Enthusiasts in California are on the right track courtesy of the 2024 “SHARE THE TRAIL” themed Spring OHV Safety Week that runs March 23-31. The educational goal for this event is to help new owners of OHVs better understand the responsibility they have to drive in a safe manner since there is often two-way traffic on public land roads and trails.
“OHV Safety Week is March 23-31 in California, so we want to emphasize the opportunity for people to get free training, whether you want to learn new skills or brush up on your techniques,” said Scott Schloegel, acting President and CEO of ASI, MSF and ROHVA. Schloegel goes beyond March Madness with his own sports analogy: “Baseball players use spring training to get back into shape, and so does the off-road community.”
“It’s important that everyone in the OHV community understands that they share the responsibility for safety,” added OHMVR Division Chief Callan McLaughlin. “We share our trails with many types of off-road vehicles and people of different skill levels, so everyone has the opportunity to enjoy our public lands.” The Spring OHV Safety Week provides an excellent opportunity for all riders, both experienced and newcomers, to enhance their knowledge, skills, and awareness of safe OHV practices by taking safety courses and following simple rules. Training teaches everyone to “Share the Trails” by:
• Staying to the right: Practice proper trail etiquette by always staying to the right side of any trail.
• Show Yourself: Use a whip and flag at least 8 feet from the ground and wear high-visibility clothing.
• Share your Skills: Take a FREE safety class, which can help you become a more experienced rider, then share what you’ve learned with others.
During this year’s OHV Safety Week, several state vehicular recreation areas (SVRAs) will host free safety training classes for OHV riders. For those interested in participating in these free classes, schedules and sign-up information is available on the California Outdoor Recreation Foundation website: https://outdoorrecreationfoundation.org/