California's Off-Highway Vehicle Program Reformed October 1, 2002 For Immediate Release Contact: Bill Kresnak Phone: (614) 856-1900 Fax: (614) 856-1920 PICKERINGTON, Ohio - A new state law should help ensure that off-highway motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) users have places to ride in California in the future, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports. The law, co-sponsored by Assembly Speaker pro tem Fred Keeley (D-Boulder Creek) and Assemblyman Mark Wyland (R-Del Mar), includes many of the suggestions of the Stakeholders Roundtable, a group put together by the state's Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division. The group includes AMA Government Relations Department staff as well as other off-highway vehicle enthusiasts, environmentalists, property owners, law enforcement personnel and others. Among other things, the new law requires comprehensive planning to improve the chances of developing off-highway vehicle recreation areas, and calls for studies to understand the need for developing off-road sports complexes. The new law also requires the state Department of Parks and Recreation to create a voluntary off-road rider safety training program by January 2005. In addition, the new law requires that all the fuel taxes attributed to unregistered off-highway vehicles-estimated to be $21 million a year-go for land conservation, restoration of land damaged by off-road use, and for law enforcement. Plus, the law reduces the legal noise limit for off-highway vehicles from 101 decibels to 96 decibels to bring the limit in line with federal standards for manufacturers. Nick Haris, the AMA's western states representative, said the law "is important legislation and will be of great benefit to the growing number of off-road enthusiasts in California. The American Motorcyclist Association is a nonprofit organization with more than 250,000 members. Established in 1924, the Association's purpose is to pursue, protect and promote the interests of motorcyclists, while serving the needs of its members. For more information, visit the AMA website at www.AMADirectlink.com.