We are in a fight for our dollars!

[Yetti]

We ARE in a FIGHT for our DOLLARS...
The govenor of Michigan has approved $$980,000.00 of your ORV funds to be used for trails development. So far nothing has happened in the way of putting trails on the ground. There are counties looking at opening right of road-ways for us ATVers and dirt bikes to use for getting to services, not included in the funding. Many people are involved to help make your riding experience the best in the north country. What you need to know is that trails don't go on the ground by government approval. If we want more trails, we have to make sure the dollars provided are the dollars used to make our sport better for us. We can control what we know but if we aren't paying attention, things can and will happen that will shape the ORV trail system to miniumize all the new trails for the ATV, RUV, dirt bikes and routes for truck use as well.
So far, there are approximately 1200 miles of 24 inch trails in Michigan. These trails are too small for most ORVs and even dirt bike riders don't prefer to use them with the exception of a few hundred die hards and club enthusiast. There is a strong organized movement to use your dollars to open more single use trails (24"). This is a qoute from a well known dirt bike mag:
"Petition to support preserving motorcycle single-track trails in Michigan."
Read between the lines folks. The trails and routes in Michigan, make up less than 3100 miles today. 1200 of it is single use trails. How many more miles of 24 inch trail do these guys need before they're happy? ATVs out sell dirt bikes by far. The trucks have far less riding areas than anyone and deserve a place to drive.
I expect to see many of my friends and other ATVers at the next ORV Advisory Board Meeting in November. We need to make a statement and do it before the new trails are decided. We will be getting 725 miles of new trails. Somebody is going to get the dollars to put trails on the ground. I won't stand by and watch the DNR look the other way again while 24 inch trails are being layed like I-75 goin' north. Come to the meeting and make a statement. Wear your club shirts and hats. If you're not a member of a ATV club, come anyway. We need your support!
Chuck Smith
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http://www.atvoffroad.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3703

[Trail_Fanatic]

I'll be there.

[Nick In Cali]

In spirit only, regretfully.

[Yetti]

Originally Posted by Chimp-O

In spirit only, regretfully.

thanks Chimp-o. it not like you don't have your share of trouble out west. theres always something some treehugger is tring to close.

[Nick In Cali]

Originally Posted by Yetti

thanks Chimp-o. it not like you don't have your share of trouble out west. theres always something some treehugger is tring to close.

A-men to that. We (4x4 clubs) have had to get very organized and unfortunately charge $40 to $70 per rig on some of the trail events in order to raise money to fight the bastards. But we're keeping our head above water by joining forces with the Sierra Club dinks occasionally, in fighting big corporations from taking over public lands etc. I think they're really starting to see that we care just as much for the environment as they do, we just like to enjoy it a little differently.

[EMTimZJ]

Originally Posted by Chimp-O

A-men to that. We (4x4 clubs) have had to get very organized and unfortunately charge $40 to $70 per rig on some of the trail events in order to raise money to fight the bastards. But we're keeping our head above water by joining forces with the Sierra Club dinks occasionally, in fighting big corporations from taking over public lands etc. I think they're really starting to see that we care just as much for the environment as they do, we just like to enjoy it a little differently.

I hope this continues!

[ScOoTeR]

I'd like to see where this article comes up with 1200 miles of 24" wide trails in Michigan. With the exception of some of the MCCCT and Evart, everything I've ridden in the LP has been ridden enough by ATVees so they fit (Tomahawk comes to mind)