Opposition to N.J. Assembly Bill 2238

We the undersigned as individuals and as a group oppose Assembly, No.2238
Sponsored by Assemblyman Eric Munoz, District 21 (Essex, Morris, Somerset, Union).

The following is the "Statement" excerpt from the Assembly, No. 2238

"This bill would prohibit, by law, the use of all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes, off-road motorcycles, or any other similar off-road vehicles in State parks and forests. The bill would specifically prohibit the Department of Environmental Protection from granting a permit, or any other type of approval, authorizing the use of an all-terrain vehicle, dirt bike, off-road motorcycle, or any other similar off-road vehicle within any State park or forest.

Currently, the use of all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes, and off-road motorcycles in State parks and forests is prohibited by regulation of the Department of Environmental Protection, except that, pursuant to regulation, the department may grant a permit for organized "special events" to operate these vehicles under prescribed conditions.

This bill would also require the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles in the Department of Transportation to provide notice of the prohibition on the use of all-terrain vehicles in State parks and forests at the time the DMV issues a registration number or renewal to the owner of an all-terrain vehicle. Lastly, this bill would amend certain sections of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes that pertain to the use of all-terrain vehicles." (End of excerpt)

Specifically we are opposed to amending the Department of Environmental Protection agencys ability to grant a permit for organized "special events". New Jersey is home to a historic and vibrant off road motorcycle community. Currently there are 9 AMA chartered Enduro clubs in New Jersey with over 3000 members, encompassing a wide and diverse demographic of New Jersey taxpayers and registered voters. Some of these clubs have existed for over fifty years. The average age of the club members is roughly 30 to 55 years of age. These Enduro clubs have spawned National Champions, ISDE medallists, and many hours of family recreation and quality of life in New Jersey.

All club-sponsored events held on state land require that we are licensed, registered, and insured, we are all law-abiding citizens. The proceeds from these events go back to the surrounding community: commonly local Fire Departments, Ambulance Squads, Boy Scouts, and Forest restoration projects. We also support the local merchants in the towns where these races are held; canceling these events would only hurt these local small business establishments were as many as 400 riders converge for the event. All events in the forests are held on fire cuts and existing trail, with minimal disturbance of the surrounding area.
The proposed bill would eliminate all motorcycle activities in state forests. These special permit events are one-day only events and the individual state forests review the course layout ahead of time. We feel the key issue is not the ATVs and motorcycles that are registered, but the unregistered, unlicensed, and those who disregard the existing law. Our organizations promote and encourage legal riding on the approved trails for these events only. Enacting this bill will not deter those that already disregard the law, but those of us that follow it. We respect our forests and our neighbors; please do not take them away from us. Vote no on Bill 2238

Respectfully,