Dear OHV Enthusiast,

Effective OHV advocacy requires us to be substantively engaged in stakeholder groups, on-site projects, volunteerism, trail ethics, politics, legal, and the administrative process.

As you know, I am a contractor to the BlueRibbon Coalition and have served as their Western Representative for over 19 years. In that capacity, I have had lead roles on behalf of the organization on critical access issues such as the Clinton-Gore Roadless Initiative, the Sierra Nevada Framework, and their related legal and administrative challenges.

Environmental responsibility is a key element of OHV recreation on state and federal lands. It is important to know that many units are working hard in a collaborative manner with various stakeholder groups to address conservation issues associated with motorized recreation so that those OHV opportunities are preserved for future generations.

As owners of Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles (ROVs) get ready to hit many popular OHV riding areas in California, it is important to remember that helmets are required to be worn by the operators and passengers when traveling on public roads, trails, and areas designated for such use.

Effective January 1, 2013, the California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 38601 requires all passengers and the operator to wear a safety helmet while operating an ROV which are also known as Side by Sides, Recreational Utility Vehicles, or Utility Terrain Vehicles.