Tread Lightly!, the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association, and the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council are working together to support Train for the Trail – the theme of this year’s Off-Road Safety Week, May 14-23.
Summer riding season is fast approaching, and Off-Road Safety Week provides a great opportunity to highlight safe and responsible motorized recreation. We encourage you to not only participate by getting out and riding or driving during the week, but also help promote the week by issuing the press release below from your agency or club.
Off-Road Safety Week is also a great reason to host an event. Please feel free to put one together promoting safe and responsible use of ORVs and let us know about it ([email protected]). If you have events already planned during May 14-23, please consider highlighting Off-Road Safety Week to participants before and during the event.
The attached press release has a place in the first line to add your organization’s name to the list of groups promoting Off-Road Safety Week. After adding your organization’s name, please send it through your normal press network, put it out on social media, or add it to your next newsletter.
If you have questions or want to do more to support Off-Road Safety Week, contact us at [email protected].
Press release below – or click here to download.
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TRAIN FOR THE TRAIL, OFF-ROAD SAFETY WEEK, MAY 14-23
[INSERT CITY, STATE], April XX, 2022 — Summer riding season is here and it is time to Train for the Trail [Insert organization name] is collaborating with leading outdoor recreation organizations —Tread Lightly!, the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association, and the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council — to build awareness for off-road safety, training, and fun through Train for the Trail, the theme of this year’s Off-Road Safety Week, May 14-23.
“As families gear up to explore the great outdoors on their ATVs, dirt bikes, and side-by-sides, it’s important to be prepared and know what to expect by training for the trails,” said Matt Caldwell, Tread Lightly! executive director. “In addition to learning about responsible trail use, proper etiquette, and wearing all the proper safety gear, every rider and driver can benefit from a hands-on safety course. If you can’t make it to a hands-on class, it’s easy to review safety tips through an online course, like those offered by the MSF, SVIA, and ROHVA.”
“Just like athletes have spring training, riders and drivers need to brush up and practice their skills before going out on the trails,” said Jun Villegas, field operations manager, Specialty Vehicle Institute of America. “The better your skills, the more fun you’ll have. And if your vehicle has been parked for a few months, be sure to do a proper pre-ride or drive inspection.”
More off-road safety tips, including how to inspect your vehicle, can be downloaded for free here:Tips & Practice Guide for the All-Terrain Vehicle RiderTips & Practice Guide for the Off-Highway MotorcyclistDriving Tips for ROVs
[FOR CA only: California riders and drivers interested in taking a free hands-on class can check availability and enroll at https://outdoorrecreationfoundation.org/. Riders and drivers elsewhere can sign up for free online ATV and ROV safety courses at atvsafety.org and rohva.org. To check availability of hands-on dirt bike, ATV, and ROV courses, please visit Getting Started/Safety Training – NOHVCC. Costs vary by location.]
[FOR OTHER STATES: Riders and drivers can sign up for free online ATV and ROV safety courses at atvsafety.org and rohva.org. To check availability of hands-on dirt bike, ATV, and ROV courses, please visit Getting Started/Safety Training – NOHVCC. Costs vary by location.]
[insert organization boiler]
Tread Lightly!
Tread Lightly! is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to promote responsible recreation through stewardship programs and ethics education. Tread Lightly!’s educational message, along with its unique training and restoration initiatives are strategically designed to instill an ethic of responsibility in outdoor enthusiasts and the industries that serve them. The program is long-term in scope with a goal to balance the needs of the people who enjoy outdoor recreation with our need to maintain a healthy environment. Tread Lightly!’s award-winning materials, programs and services are solutions to some of the nation’s most pressing recreation issues. Individuals and businesses can commit to Tread Lightly! and protect outdoor access by becoming a member at www.treadlightly.org.
Specialty Vehicle Institute of AmericaThe Specialty Vehicle Institute of America is the not-for-profit national industry association promoting safe and responsible use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) through rider training, public awareness campaigns, and state legislation. The SVIA also works to preserve access to off-road riding areas and expand riding opportunities. Accredited by the American National Standards Institute, the SVIA develops standards for equipment, configuration, and performance requirements of ATVs. Based in Irvine, Calif., the SVIA is sponsored by American Honda Motor Co., Inc.; BRP, Inc.; CFMOTO Powersports, Inc.; Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.; Polaris Inc.; Suzuki Motor USA, LLC; Textron Specialized Vehicles; and Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. Visit SVIA.org. For safety information or to enroll in the ATV RiderCourse nearest you, visit ATVSafety.org or call (800) 887-2887.
Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association
The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association is the not-for-profit national industry association promoting safe and responsible use of ROVs (also called side-by-sides or UTVs). Accredited by the American National Standards Institute, ROHVA develops standards for the equipment, configuration, and performance requirements of ROVs. Based in Irvine, Calif., ROHVA is sponsored by American Honda Motor Co., Inc.; BRP, Inc.; Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.; Mahindra Vehicle Sales and Services, Inc.; Polaris Inc.; Textron Specialized Vehicles; and Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. For more information visit rohva.org.
Motorcycle Safety Foundation
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation promotes safety through rider training and education, operator licensing tests, and public information programs. MSF works with the federal government, state agencies, the military, and others to offer training for all skill levels so riders can enjoy a lifetime of safe, responsible motorcycling. Standards established by MSF have been recognized worldwide since 1973. The MSF is a not-for-profit organization endorsed by American Honda Motor Co., Inc.; BMW Motorrad USA; BRP, Inc.; Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Inc.; Indian Motorcycle; Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.; KTM North America, Inc.; Suzuki Motor USA, LLC; Triumph Motorcycles America; and Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. For safety information or to enroll in an MSF Basic RiderCourse near you, or to learn more about the many other MSF course offerings, visit MSF-USA.org or call (800) 446-9227. Follow @msf__usa to keep up with the MSF on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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Below are some of NOHVCC’s tools that can help new and veteran enthusiasts alike:
https://nohvcc.org/education/rider-education/safety-ethic/
https://nohvcc.org/education/rider-education/safety-training/
https://nohvcc.org/my-first-ride-website-is-a-great-introduction-for-new-ohv-enthusiasts/
Getting to and from the riding area requires safe practices as well. For trailer safety information, check out these pages:
https://nohvcc.org/national-trailer-safety-week-from-polaris-how-to-properly-load-and-haul-your-utv/
https://nohvcc.org/national-trailer-safety-week-from-polaris-choosing-the-correct-loading-ramp-for-your-atv-or-utv/
If you are looking for OHV maps:
https://nohvcc.org/mapping-apps/
