Griping about trail closures is a popular pastime

for motorcyclists, ATVers, rock crawlers, and even some mountain

bikers. It seems like legal places to ride always shrink, and never

grow. But it would be hypocritical to whine about restrictions if you

were just adding fuel to the fire. So I devised a simple checklist to

ensure that your land ethic is up to par. This list also serves as a

way to evaluate others you encounter. If you affirmatively answer all

the following questions, then you can protest with righteousness.

Otherwise, you need to shape up. Happy trails!

SAFETY

    1. Do I use a well-maintained vehicle and proper

riding gear, while bringing along a rain jacket, map, extra food and

water, tool kit, and first aid supplies? (don’t forget the TP)

    2. Do I use proper riding technique and stay in control? (saving the beer for afterwards)

    3. Do I look out for others in my group? (instead of playing your own episode of Survivor)

LEGALITY

    4. Does my muffler emit less than 96 decibels from 20 inches away? (and no sparks)

    5. Do I properly register my equipment? (including

the OHV sticker that funds trail work and education programs, not just

Johnny Law)

    6. Do I follow all applicable rules from federal, state, and local agencies? (no trespassing, either)

    7. Do I stay on designated or established trails,

where travel is restricted to them? (not just the “trail” made by the

guy in front of you)

    8. To ride off-trail, do I choose areas specifically

set aside for unrestricted use? (not just any place without a closed

sign)

ENVIRONMENT

    9. Do I stage in previously-used sites, and practice

minimum-impact camping? (the desert doesn’t generate enough wood for

personal fires)

    10. Do I stay precisely on trails that are wider

than my vehicle, following the most established path? (four wheels

don’t fit on singletrack)

    11. Do I park or turn around within the confines of

the trail, on slickrock or in active wash bottoms? (U-turns and

singletrack don’t mix)

    12. Do I avoid sensitive conditions, such as

mountains or clay-based soil when wet? (wheel spin and hills don’t mix)

    13. Do I yield to wildlife and livestock, viewing

them only from a distance? (they don’t need help getting exercise)

SOCIETY

    14. Am I respectful to other land users, in the

staging area and on the trail? (they’re not impressed by wheelies)

    15. When passing, do I slow down, minimize dust,

lower RPMs, say “hello,” and give others room? (without leaving the

trail bed, smarty pants)

    16. If encountering a horseman, do I shut off my

engine and ask the rider for instructions? (instead of playing Cowboys

& Indians)

ACTIVISM

    17. Do I educate others to “tread lightly”? (or let them continue to ruin your image)

    18. Do I pitch in with trail maintenance? (“I pay my taxes” is not enough)

    19. Do I support organizations that promote responsible recreation? (“they should do something”)

    20. Do I exercise my democratic voice in the management of public lands? (“dang bureaucrats”)

    Clif Koontz is the

program director for Ride with Respect, non-profit. Based in Moab, Ride

with Respect maintains recreational trails and educates visitors.