Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

WHAT THE EXPERTS SA YABOUT YOa: YA WANNA SEe A MEMBER OF THE "ENEMY"? The following is a copy of a news from the News Bureau, release University of Southern California, University Park, los Angeles, California, 90007. Dated May 30, 1972. We received a photostatic copy from Olet Winter, the AMA's legislative Director. His answer, which follows the release, is dated July 11 ... USC News Release By Mike Briley LOS ANGELES, CAL. - The speed, range and noise of off-road vehicles bikes, dune buggies and trail mowmobiles - should be reduced if the character of our national forests is to be preserved, a University of Southern California research study shows. Contemporary off-road vehicles operating in the national forests use an oveIWhelmingly disporportionate share of this limited public resource," says Dr. E. Phillip Muntz of Pasadena, associate director of USC's Environmental Engineering Program. Muntz conducted the study recently with the help of two USC School of Engineering graduate students, T.L. Deglow of Santa Monica and D.H. Campbell of Glendale. He described the research as a preliminary effort designed to furnish a point of view on the complex and controversial question of off-road vehicle usage on public lands. "Our study suggests that the national forests arc a limited recreational resource that is unique only if the forests arc maintained for public enjoymen t in a condition approaching a natural state. "Our point is that because the forests arc limited, they must be used with the minimum disturbance that is consistent with a satisfying forest experience," Muntz said in an in terview. Muntz explained that there is a delicate balance between close accessible areas and the "back country." Given the present cbaracter of national forests, hikers walk a certain distance to attain the relative isolation and quiet of land close to the natural state. However, with the proliferation of long-range off-road vehicles, the hiker might walk for days and still be in the midst of crowds of motorcyclists. If we are to avoid this, thus maintaining the character of our national forests, either the impact of the vehicles must be reduced, or the forests would have to be expanded. "If we opt for the latter, the trails would have to be lengthened by about a factor of five. Such a lengthening suggests a required national forest area increase by a factor of 25. Such an expansion is highly unlikely," Muntz said. The USC researcher says also that more research is needed, particularly into the best ways of providing trails for vehicles consistent with safety and ecological considerations, such as erosion and exhaust damage of vegetation. Effects of vehicle noise on other recreationists, and the concep ts of an individual's upersonal space" in the forest also should be investigated, he urged. "We know at present, however, th.at the impact of an off-road vehicle is enormous compared to that of a hiker, primarily because of the vehicles' noise, range and speed," Muntz said in an interview. While it appears unacceptable to use off-road vehicles in their present configurations, Muntz noted that the vehicles do permit or induce many people to enjoy forest experiences. "One obvious approach, then, is to reduce the machines' forest impact to be equivalent to that of a hiker so the veh icles can be used withou t an excessive disturbance of the forest."For those who primarily enjoy the speed and noise of off-road vehicles, Jirnited areas could be set aside for this essen tially gymnastic aspect of their use." AMA RESPONSE Dear Mr. Briley: I was very disappointed in the News Release quoting Dr. E. Phillip Muntz on the subject of off-road recreational vehicles and our ecology. It is unfortunate that Dr. Muntz allowed his , dislike for off-road recreational vehicles to be reflected in his repons, as it puts limitations on the credibility of his statements. California state legislators recently asked the Department of Conservation and State Lands Commission to complete a study of the damage done by off-road recreational vehicles in that state. The results showed that lands used by recreational veh icles had suffered negligible damage, even though the lands were being used by motorcycles, four.wheeled recreation vehicles and snowmobiles. Further, they have found that present regulations, adopted in 1966, arc adequate to deal with any problems resulting from the use of nearly 89,000 acres of State Forest land by these off-road vehicles. I am not trying to say that ORRV's cannot do damage to any type of soil or terrain. We all know that they can. However, I feel that it is a problem we must face honestly. The only way to fmd solutions is to learn what harm is really caused by these vehicles. We have got to learn the types of soils and condi tions that cannot suppon this type of use. A clear and open mind must be maintained if such a study is to be conducted and reasonable results arc to be expected. Proper administration should enable public lands to accommodate all users of the land without conflict. Based on numbers of active enthusiasts alone, off-road recreational vehicles would probably be ranked first. The numbers game should only be a consideration, however, not an inflexible yardstick. President Nixon issued an Executive Order calling for a federal policy to govern the use of such vehicles on public lands. He stated that an "estimated five million' recreation vehicles are in usc in the United States today and their popularity continues to increase rapidly. The widespread use of such vehicles on public lands, often for legitimate purposes, but also in frequent conlliet with wise land and resource management practices, environmental values and other types of recreational activity, had demonstrated need for a unified federal policy." The AMA and the Motorcycle Industry Council have assumed a responsible position and are doing all that we can to assist in the implementation of the Executive Order. W. arc funding a study to be done this summer at the Land Between tho Lakes area of the Tennessee Valley Authority, which should reveal significant evidence of a soci~conomic nature about the two-wheeled vehicle enthusiast. Further studies are being planned th.at will include the impact of ORRV usc on plants and animals. Our sponsorship of these studies and assistance with the implementation of the Executive Order reflects the sincere concern that the American Motorcycle Association has for our ecology. I am enclosing a copy of the latest AMA NEWS supplement, which appeared in our July 1972 issue. It is entitled, "The Environmental Forums" supplement and contains a great deal of information which I hope you will find useful. If this Association can serve the University of Southern California in any responsible capacity, please don't besitate to call on me for such assistance. CHETWINTER AMA Legislative Director As we've stated in the past, we do not ·agree with the AMA or MIC in their endorsements of the Presidential Proclamation. At least the AMA is sticking by its own guns, so we applaud them for grit. We believe, however, that you have your own opinions which you should express, too. Support, oppose, middllHlf-the--road it if you must, but do something. Cyclists must stick together in some way and fight. Silence is endorsement; illogical but true. TEAM YAMAHA WINS DIFFBRAKE CUP SUMMER INTER-AMi MX SERIES MANUFAOURER'S TROPHY Team Yamaha has done it. The first All American Team to beat the Europeans in International competition. Team Riders Gary Jones, Jim Weinert and Marty Tripes matched their skills against some of Europe's best and certainly earned their wins. Gary Jones battled his way to Top Rider of the series. But trophies are not won just on race day. The determination of this team to win is shown by the daily physical training, riding practice, and machine preparation under the leadership of hard driving Coach Don ,Jones. This determination was backed up with the product faith of Yamaha International shown by full support throu!tl their ever present Motocross Supervisor Dennis Mahan and National Racing Manager Pete Schick. This was truly an All American Team effort and one to be justly proud of. ;: N .... en III ~ g. « '" ~ Z ~ (.) ~

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