Experince new sensations riding an ATV


Criticisms of ATVs

Bank erosion started by four wheelerinclude such engines starting with model
All-terrain vehicles, Yauhanna, Southyear 2006.
CarolinaSince the early 1990s, ATV useFuel Economy
has tripled across the United States.The EPA estimates that each ATV consumes
This has led to greater conflict betweenless than 59 gallons of fuel per year
ATV users and child-safety advocates,and obtains between 40 and 50 mpg,
rural landowners, fellow outdoormaking them not likely to fall under
recreationalists and environmentalists.future fuel economy regulations. (Ibid.
Safety IssuesEPA 1)
Since the expiration of the consentLand Usage
decrees between the major manufacturersSome ATV riders knowingly cross
and CPSC in April of 1998, theprivately owned property in rural areas
manufacturers have entered intoand travel over public/private
"voluntary action plans" that mimic theproperties where their use is explicitly
previously mandatory consent decrees.limited to trails. Subsequently,
However, despite the move from 3-wheelenvironmentalists criticize ATV riding
to 4-wheel models and the action plans,as a sport for excessive use in areas
some deaths and injuries still occur.environmental movement-friendly
Statistics released by CPSC show that inbiologists consider to be sensitive,
2004, there were an estimated 136,100especially wetlands and sand dunes.
injuries associated with ATVs treated inWhile the deep treads on some ATV tires
US hospital emergency rooms -- more thanare effective for navigating rocky,
double the number of injuries treated inmuddy, and root covered terrain, these
the last year of the consent decrees. Intreads also dig channels that may drain
2003, the latest year for whichboggy areas, increase sedimentation in
estimates are available, 740 people diedstreams at crossings and damage groomed
in ATV-associated incidents.snowmobile trails. Studies have also
The action plans in place with CPSCshown that ATVs may help in the spread
cover only certain manufacturers ofof invasive species such as knapweed.
ATVs. Other manufacturers that haveDespite some limited studies showing the
entered the market since the expirationimpacts of unregulated ORV use, the vast
of the consent decrees are not coveredmajority of ORV use on public lands is
by the action plans and so are not boundregulated. Moreover, running counter to
by the rules governing things such asthe popular misconception that ATV and
labelling and safe marketing practices,ORV use is a leading cause of damage to
and what ages a distributor maythe landscape and sensitive habitats in
recommend a particular sized ATV for.general, the overwhelming evidence of
These manufacturers and distributors,human growth patterns upon the landscape
most of whom originate from Asia andindicates damage to the sensitive
Italy, are completely exempt ofhabitats are caused by unmitigated
government oversight.[4]growth of single-family housing planning
Focus has shifted since the consentand extractive industries.
decrees ended to attention to machineTo address these land usage concerns,
size balanced with rider age. ManyATV advocacy groups have been organized
states have enacted legislationto purchase property and/or obtain
specifically governing the usage of ATVspermission of landowners, build and
on state run land categorized by agemaintain trails suitable for ATV riding
ranges and engine displacements - inand educate ATV riders about responsible
line with the consent decrees. ATVs areriding. Many states have also formed
mandated to be labelled from theseparate governing bodies that license
manufacturer that the use of machinesATVs separately than other ORVs. The
greater than 90cc by riders under themonies from these registrations are used
age of 16 is prohibited. Critics pointto secure trails to ride and perform
out that blanket policies concerning agegrooming and maintenance.
are not sufficient and often use asUnfortunately, the image of the great
example that early teen male childrenmajority of responsible riders is often
are physically larger and stronger thantainted by the actions of some who ride
many adult women riders. Some localitiesoff designated trails, on private land
have either banned minors (typicallywithout permission, and under the
those under 16 years of age) from usinginfluence of alcohol or drugs.
ATVs or are considering suchAdditionally, self-regulation has proven
legislation. Advocates of ATVs argueparticularly difficult considering that
that starting younger improves safety.the main public complaint against ATVs
They recommend that children can developis excessive noise. Although the
the necessary expertise by starting asmajority of ATVs comply with noise
young as 6 years of age instead ofregulations, there are those whose
waiting until age 16. The U.S. Consumerintentional violation can disturb the
Product Safety Commission approved theactivities of other recreational users
sale of sub-50cc ATVs for use byfor miles across open landscapes.
youngsters as young as age 6.Tampering with an ATVs exhaust silencer
In 1988, the All-terrain Vehicle Safetyand spark arrestor is illegal on all
Institute (ASI) was formed to providefederal lands and most state lands,
training and education for ATV riders.however enforcement is spotty. It is
The cost of attending the training isalso possible to install aftermarket
minimal and is free for purchasers ofexhaust systems that do not have spark
new machines. Successful completion ofarrestors.
training such as provided here is inFellow outdoor recreationists who have
many states a minimum requirement forexpressed concern about irresponsible
minor-age children to be grantedATV use include snowmobile users who
permission to ride on state lands.resent improper use of exclusive
EPA Concernssnowmobile trails, ATV trail riders
Emissionswhose trails have been damaged by
Due to the lack of emission controllingimproper use and hunters whose game has
hardware and software, for year 2000 allbeen driven off by those riding during
recreational spark ignited (SI) non-roadprime hunting times.
vehicles (of which ATVs are a subset)Nationally, the US Forest Service
contributed 8% of HC, .16% of NOx, 5% ofconsiders managed ATV use to be a
CO and .8% of PM emissions for thelegitmate activity in national forests,
entire non-road EPA family. The entireyet it also lists their unregulated use
range of non-road emissions accountedas one of the four greatest threats to
for 49% of engine produced emissions oflong term forest management. The US
all types. [5] While recreational SIForest Service recently released a
vehicles (of which ATVs are a subset)national travel management plan designed
produce an aggregate of <4% of all HCto minimize the negative environmental
emissions in the US, based on theimpacts of ATVs while providing a safe,
relatively small population of ATVssustainable and enjoyable opportunity
(<1.2M) and small annual usage (<350for ATV users.
hrs), EPA emission regulations now



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