I've both seen it with my own two eyes, and heard about it in the comments section here at RideApart. There are a lot of off-roaders, whether they're 4x4 drivers or UTV drivers, ATV'ers, dirt bikers, or others, that just don't care about staying on the trail, leaving it better, or generally acting like full-grown adults.
Instead, they pretend they're on a closed course, in their own homes, leave their trash and broken parts along the trail, and generally cause a ruckus for everyone out enjoying these beautiful outdoors. Not only is that not being good stewards, but it's also being trash neighbors and it gives the politicians and corporate interests attempting to take away those lands all the ammunition they need to point the finger and nab themselves a scapegoat as to why they have the right to sell these lands off.
Most of all, however, it just is bad manners.
In an effort to combat such tendencies, Tread Lightly! and Can-Am's parent company BRP, have partnered to bring new and old off-roaders a Masterclass on how to be a conscientious off-roader. Essentially, it's a How Not to Be an Off-Road A-Hole 101, and it's free. I wish it were mandatory.
Dubbed "Responsible Rider," the free set of classes aim to give both newcomers and old hats courses "on safety, environmental awareness and riding etiquette," as well as new skills and how to "ride responsibly while protecting our playgrounds." The idea is to give folks a base to work off, as well as instill a sense of stewardship within new riders that'll help them be less of an ass-hat when they get behind the wheel or whatever powersport machine they pick up.
The idea is to create responsible riders, hence the name.
The Tread Lightly! site states, "Whether you ride on trails, roads, water or snow, the Responsible Rider Masterclass, powered by BRP is your map to master safety, build your community and protect our playgrounds." And indeed, there'll be Responsible Rider classes for off-roaders, snowmobilers, as well as those who enjoy PWCs, the very machines BRP creates with Can-Am, Ski-Doo, and Sea-Doo.
And the whole thing is an admirable goal, as there's far too much conflict between the groups of outdoor recreators at present. You have hikers made at dirt bikers, dirt bikers mad at 4x4'rs, 4x4'rs mad at UTV'rs, and UTV'ers mad at others. But we should all be coming together, being better neighbors, and reducing the risk of losing the lands we love. Cause the Feds are after them.
Only we can stop that from happening, and that all starts by internally making some changes, including taking these free classes, or just not being buttheads to one another.
