Keeping Your Powersports Activities Green
Posted by The Powersports Team in Environment Issues, Power Sports 101
The Green Movement has permeated the entire world and many extremist activists are fighting the use of motorcycles, ATVs, watercraft and snowmobiles on public lands and waters. They seem to have this image that we are tearing up the environment and bringing Planet Earth to an end. Not so.
It is easy to see how they have this image, as only the negative effects of the powersporting community are ever highlighted. We all know that most of our outdoor adventures are innocuous and not damaging to the environment. Some people abuse Mother Nature with their power toys, but most love the outdoors and treat it with respect.
On the flip side, most environmentalistsare not extreme and believe we can have our toys and protect the natural environment as well. The Earth is a big place, and our tiny footprints don’t leave much of a mark on the earth in the grand scheme.
Become a Green Powersports Enthusiast
Just because we enjoy the unlimited fun of internal combustion toys, that doesn’t mean we can’t do our small part to keep the Earth naturally beautiful and healthy. Here are some useful guidelines:
- Ditch the Two Stroke Engines: Although they are a blast to ride on the trails and in the water, it is well known that they are major polluters next to four stroke engines. I noticed that Venice has mandated 4-stroke engines to help clean up those precious waterways.
- Respect Nature and Others on the Trails: When you are out there, only travel on the marked trails and roadways. There is a reason that forest managers regulate these areas to protect the natural areas for all people to enjoy. When we go off trail, we damage sensitive ecosystems and cause erosion.
- Camp Responsibly & Respectfully: Just like everyone else out there…riders need to pick up their garbage, minimize campfire impacts, and protect waterways by not camping close to them. You should aim to leave nature the way you found it (if not a little better). We all love the outdoors, so we should do our part to keep it naturally clean and beautiful.
- Respect the Wildlife and Plant Life: These guys were here long before us and will be here long after us…so show a little respect. Just our mere presence is a bit stressful, so do your part to minimize it by slowing down for wildlife.
- Teach the Young Ones to Respect Nature: We all know the kids are watching us to see how to behave. This is your chance to lead by example and show them how to have our power toys without being detrimental to our beloved natural areas. Be a shining example of responsible riding.
We don’t have to be at odds with the environmentalists if we keep our end of the bargain. There will always be extremists on both sides causing trouble, but it is easy to ride the middle ground and do your part to keep the planet healthy - while enjoying powersports!
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