The Time for Fence-Sitting is Over if We Want Motorized Trails in Our Future
By Del Albright, Sustainable Motorized Recreation Advocate
Do you feel like your off-road passion is idling in neutral?
Has it seemed like the trails, the clubs, and the fight for access are all in slow motion — and you’re just parked on the sidelines? Maybe you’ve been “sitting on the fence” about speaking up, showing up, or lending a hand. Maybe you’re feeling a little burned out; over-volunteered. Perhaps you’ve had too much club bickering or big group politics. Meanwhile, others are out there wielding shovels, leading rides, and defending the places we love… and you’re watching it happen from the bleachers.
It’s time to throw it in gear, climb down off that fence, and roll into action. Not tomorrow. Today.
Why Now Matters
While nothing about our world feels “normal” anymore, one thing is certain: if we wait, we lose.
For those of us in the motorized recreation community, every day we delay is another day trails can be closed, access restricted, and decisions made without our voices in the room. Humongous changes in federal agencies’ funding, staffing, and priorities have swept through the country like wildfire. Speaking of fire, yes, wildfires have destroyed so much of our OHV and designated routes it’s unbelievable. So all these changes add up to us getting off the fence and doing something now.
This isn’t about doing everything — it’s about doing something.
Easy Ways to Take Action
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel to make a difference. Here’s how you can start today:
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Support Your Clubs & Associations
Even if you can’t be in the field, your membership dues and donations keep the fight alive. Join whatever clubs, groups, associations make the most sense to you. Be more than just virtual; be a brick-n-mortar member of something! State Associations are the best place to start. Be sure to consider Regional and national groups as well. Congress-critters listen to real numbers on paper – memberships. -
Show Up (Virtually or In Person)
Online workshops, Zoom meetings, and club gatherings are a great way to re-engage. If you’ve been hesitating, just start showing up! -
Be the Spark
Help your friends and fellow riders get motivated too. Sometimes all they need is an invite or encouragement to take that first step. Be that spark!
Procrastination = Lost Ground
If you wait for the “perfect time,” you’ll be sitting there when the fence rots out from under you. Meanwhile, the world — and your favorite trails — will keep changing (maybe going away) without you.
And don’t forget to practice in general, my idea of MDL – keep Moving, Doing, and Learning. More on that here.
Just Do It
Grab that to-do list.
Make the call.
Send the email.
Show up to the meeting.
Whatever it is — just find something that gets you off that fence. Our trails, our access, and our future are worth it.
Get Del’s book on Shortcuts to Landuse and Volunteerism for more.
Del Albright – Land Use Advocate, Jeep Adventurer, and Retired Wildland Fire Chief