A recent study prepared by the Forest Service showed that OHV/ATVs have been the number one growing recreation group in the United States. This not only includes ATVs but dirt bikes as well, however ATVs were the fastest growing subdivision of this study.
OHV use is one of the fastest growing outdoor activities in the United States and use grew from 16% to nearly 24%. That is a huge increase in ATV and OHV recreational users. The Federal Land Management office acknowledge the need for more ATV trails for riders and the lack of trails was contributing to the erosion of some lands designated for ATV use.
Most Federal Land Management offices have created streamlined guidelines for ATV users on federal lands to avoid a negative OHV impact on these lands. Additionally, this rapid growth in ATV use could lead to a rash of injuries among new ATV riders unless proper training is given. Most Federal Land Management offices have beefed up their promotion of safe riding techniques, and the taking of ATV riders' courses for any ATV rider so they may learn proper handling and navigation techniques to insure that not only do they have a good time with the ATV, they have a safe time as well.
Great rider education for newer ATVers is being touted and also safety campaigns to promote helmet and other safety gear use, especially the use of protective eye gear which is one of the number one injuries now for ATV users due to flying debris. There are an estimated 36 million OHV enthusiasts in America and that number is growing. There are more and more ATV owners and greater numbers of younger riders are appearing in the sport with each passing month.
