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AMA Communications
American Motorcyclist Association
American Motorcyclist Association
08/12/2008 - 07:57 AM
Pickerington, Ohio
News & Notes is a monthly publication compiled and edited by the AMA's Government Relations Department. Designed to inform motorcyclists of ‘rights'-related issues and events around the world, we welcome your news & views. Suggestions and contributions can be sent to Sheila Andrews, Legislative Assistant, American Motorcyclist Association, by e-mail at sandrews@ama-cycle.org.
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) thanked U.S. Forest Service Chief Abigail Kimbell for asking media outlets to stop airing a Smokey Bear public service announcement (PSA) that unintentionally implied all all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) pose a fire hazard in national forests.
Kimbell made the request after off-highway vehicle (OHV) organizations, including the AMA, complained that the video not only implied to non-riders that ATVs start forest fires, but also sent a message to OHV riders that they should stay out of the forests during the summer.
"The Advertising Council, U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters put the public service announcement together to educate riders about fire safety," said Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations. "But the PSA completely missed the mark and questioned the intentions of responsible OHV riders everywhere."
The PSA in question showed a woman riding an off-road bicycle, approaching two ATV riders at a trailhead. The video then morphed the woman into Smokey Bear, who suggested to the riders that they go home so that they didn't risk starting a forest fire with their machines.
Concerned OHV groups told Kimbell that the PSA should have educated riders about having U.S. Forest Service-approved spark arresters on their machines, and staying on designated trails as ways to prevent forest fires. Spark
AMA Government Affairs Manager Royce Wood and Duane Taylor, government relations specialist with the Motorcycle Industry Council, had a face-to-face meeting with Kimbell's staff to discuss the PSA. Other groups that expressed concerns to the U.S. Forest Service included the BlueRibbon Coalition, the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council, and the Off-Road Business Association.
"Chief Kimbell is to be commended for listening to the concerns of the OHV community," said Moreland. "We support public service announcements that promote responsible riding, and we have asked the U.S. Forest Service to consult with OHV experts when producing OHV-related PSAs in the future. The OHV community is certainly willing to help.
To that end, members of the Americans For Responsible Recreational Access (ARRA), which includes the AMA, delivered a letter to Kimbell on Monday, August 4, endorsing the proper use of a USDA-approved spark arrester on all OHV vehicles and offering assistance in the development of a PSA that educates riders about the importance using such a device, as well as the need to stay on designated trails.
"Our common interest with the Forest Service makes it imperative that we work cooperatively on all initiatives intended to address responsible OHV use and the prevention of wildfires," Moreland said.
US Secretary of Transportation, Mary Peters, recently unveiled the Bush Administration's plan for the future of transportation in America. Accompanied by a video presentation from Secretary Peters on their Department of Transportation operated website, www.fightgridlocknow.gov, the plan is titled Refocus. Reform. Renew. A New Transportation Approach in America.
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