"After visiting EJS 2005" by Bill Burke

[sanjuancruiser]

That's a good idea. The problem seems to be mostly lack of education w/regards to taking care of our trails. Giving people a way to learn more ad encouragement could go a long way.

[65swb45]

Let's try it! I posted on the Rubithon thread on Pirate a request for a volunteer to hand out Tread Lightly literature Memorial Weekend at Little Sluice.

How do think that will go over?

[desertdude]

This is a great thread - Why? because of the dialog back and forth. Ideas and solutions.

Anything that can spread awareness will help. At every group event there needs to be a driver meeting and at the meeting is where the education should be offered as well. The more times reminders are made the better the chances of a ground swell of interest.

[cruzila]

Originally Posted by 65swb45

I've been mulling this thread over for a couple of weeks now, and I think the next logical question here is to ask yourself, 'how far would YOU go to be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem?

First off, since I am 6'3 and 200# plus, I have a certain comfort level in approaching a total stranger about trail etiquette that others might not. That said, I would still prolly approach my run leader about a group intervention, as there is something in numbers that helps drive a point home. On the other hand, I can think of times where a group confrontation just makes the infringer more defensive, not more cooperative. Hmmm

Next question, if you had a camera with you, and you could take pictures, would you? Closeups with licence plate numbers? Who would you give them too?
I personally would have NO PROBLEM with letting the infringer[s] know that 'evidence'was being collected, but I would have to think very hard about turning it over to the authorities. I say that because as part of the public record, I could just see the eco-nazis using my jpegs to lock me out of my own public lands.

Would you consider disabling the vehicle in question? I have heard of an instance or two where an asshat was so drunk that someone had the sense to take the guy's keys away. This definitely requires a group effort to accomplish safely. You basically tell the guy the keys will be turned in to the local authorities as a simple lost and found, and that he better be sober when he goes in to pick them up!


Where do you stand?

I would discourage physical confrontations. Unless you know them.

Actually, as far as the Rubicon is concerned, Law Enforcement by way of citizen type arrest has been going on for about two years now. I know of a few cases that have gone to court. The concept of turning in a fellow wheeler has been holding many back I am sure, but now more than ever pictures are being taken and turned over to authorities with eyewitness accounts.

If you do want to turn in someone for off trail type violations get the liscence, pictues, and line up your witnesses. If it is Rubicon related, you can forward to me and I will get it to the right agency. The El Dorado FS is willing to prosecute in Federal court and is even willing to take county violations that way too. Bigger fines and easier to convict.

Scott Johnston

[timbercruiser]

Originally Posted by desertdude

This is a great thread - Why? because of the dialog back and forth. Ideas and solutions.

Anything that can spread awareness will help. At every group event there needs to be a driver meeting and at the meeting is where the education should be offered as well. The more times reminders are made the better the chances of a ground swell of interest.

He's right. Our club hosts an event every year, and our driver's meeting includes telling people to wheel right. We walk the walk, too, by driving the right way at each obstacle!