Over the years, I have witnessed numerous violations of trail etiquette by every single off-road group. From 4x4ers to dirt bikers, UTVers to ATV guys and everyone in between. I’m paying special attention to these people today, but know that campers, hikers, backpackers, hunters, fishermen and other non-motorized users are not without sin, too.
And I’ve advocated for being better on the trails, because when someone sees one of us doing something stupid, the rest of us pay the price. In the age of social media and attacks on our public lands, this brings disaster and gives those people ammunition to fight against us. This is not just a bad look, it can mean bad results in preserving the rights and access we still have.
That’s why I like the idea of treading lightly! And Can-Am is not only coming together to provide responsible rider/driver classes for free, but Can-Am will also donate $35 to the organization’s OHV stewardship projects for every rider who completes the brand’s Masterclass series. So you get good knowledge and training about supporting OHV access and trail conservation as well as not being a butthead.
win/win.
Donation will occur when someone Trades Lightly! will use Responsible Rider Masterclass ProgramIncluding a series of videos hosted by Can-Am’s brand ambassador, Terry Madden, and the late Ken Block’s daughter, Kira Block. According to the press release, the $35 Trade Lightly! Stewardship, which “supports on-the-ground stewardship projects across North America.”
There is one small caveat, as the donation will only apply to the first 2,000 attendees and will not go beyond that. That said, maybe we can bully the company into taking it forward, because not only does it support a great cause, i.e., OHV management, but it supports a great cause at a time when we need it most. And we need to hear from Can-Am, as well as Polaris, Honda, Kawasaki, CFMoto and other companies, because without our public lands and these projects on them, their consumers will have no place to go.
It seems that Can-Am wants the same, as Jeremy Doyon-Roach, global marketing director of Can-Am Off-Road, said, “As a leader in the off-road powersports industry, we have a responsibility to encourage our enthusiast community to ride responsibly. This way, riders can enjoy off-roading with their families and friends for generations to come,” he added, “As summer begins, we look forward to seeing riders of all brands. Want to encourage everyone to do the same. Have a great season enjoying the responsible rider masterclass and the outdoors.”
The class will cover rider and driver safety as well as safe use of the trails, environmental stewardship and not being a nuisance while using the trails, trail etiquette and much more, as it is a great introduction to making sure you don’t end up as the 10% in the 90/10 rule – 90% of any group follows the rules while the 10% don’t and those who make the news and people’s opinions about said group.
You Trade Lightly! You can sign up for a class now on OHV’s website, and not only get some useful information, but also help support our continued OHV access.
