PTRA

To all those who registered for the 2020 7 Mtns Dual Sport, Thank You!

If you missed out, we are sorry to hear that. Click Here to be put on our wait list.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 18, 2020

DCNR Announces Opening of ATV Trails in State Forests

Harrisburg, PA– Today, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced that opening day statewide for all All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) trails in state forests will be Tuesday, May 19.

Dunn noted this is occurring several days before the start of the normal season – typically the Friday before the Memorial Day holiday – to reduce opening weekend crowding and provide more opportunities for social distancing.

“In most years, the opening weekend and other holiday weekends throughout the summer tend to draw large amounts of ATV enthusiasts to trails,” Dunn said. “While ATV riders ride on separate machines at distances farther apart than six feet, the parking areas will be crowded on the bigger weekends, including the opener.

“DCNR is opening the trails several days early to spread out the crowds and allow for greater social distancing practices as part of COVID-19 mitigation efforts,” Dunn said.

The opening date also applies to designated motorcycle trails in Bald Eagle State Forest, including a dual sport trail running through the Seven Mountains region and a trail for off-highway motorcycles on Shade Mountain.

ATV riding is only permitted on designated trails in Pennsylvania state forests. State forest roads, state parks, and state game lands are not open to ATV riding.

The DCNR website has thelocations of the 11 ATV trail systems on state forest lands.

All ATVs in Pennsylvania — except ATVs used solely for business or agricultural purposes — need to beregistered and titled. There are approximately 170,000 registered ATVs in Pennsylvania. All ATV registrations scheduled to expire through May 31 have been extended until June 30, 2020.

Rangers and forest district staff are actively patrolling and will enforce regulations.

People who live in areas still under stay-at-home orders should not travel long distances for outdoor recreation, and instead should look for opportunities close to home. ATV riders are encouraged to use the trail system closest to their home and to keep riding opportunities on private recreation areas in mind as well.

To help avoid exposure to COVID-19 and protect others, and still enjoy the outdoors:

• Don’t recreate in groups – go with those under the same roof, and adhere to social distancing (stay 6 feet apart)
• Wear a mask if you will encounter other people
• Take hand sanitizer with you and use it regularly
• Avoid touching your face, eyes, and nose
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with a tissue or flexed elbow
• If you are sick, stay home

Pennsylvania has 121 state parks, and 20 forest districts.

Information aboutATV riding in state parks and forests is available on the DCNR website. Updates also are being provided on DCNR’sFacebook and Twitter accounts.

MEDIA CONTACT: Terry Brady,717-877-6315

# # #

Due to the restrictions put in place to reduce the spread of Covid-19, the work day scheduled for April 18th has been canceled.

We will send out more information about future work days as restrictions start to change over the summer months.

Riders,
   We need everyone to please take action today to ensure HB 1706 moves forward.  This is the furthest we have ever gotten with a Dirt Bike Registration Bill to allow OHM (Off-high motorcycles) access to DCNR ATV trails. This has the potential to be a huge gain in trail access for dirt bikes in PA.

Rep. Gabler feels that now we have rider support and the Bill has moved to the Tourism and Recreational Development Committee of the House on February 5th. We need to act prior to the House going back into session on March 16th

The AMA has setup a link with a prewritten letter and instructions for us to send to our representatives.

Just follow the link below.  Please pass this along to everyone you know.  We have never been closer to making this happen then now!

https://cqrcengage.com/amacycle/app/write-a-letter?0&engagementId=506256

See you on the trail,
      – PaTRA

Riders,

 Our friends at DVTR (Delaware Valley Trail Riders) have started a petition to support (HB 1706) amending the current vehicle code to allow OHM access on DCNR public ATV trails.

Please sign this petition! We have to stand up and be heard if we want change!

 The introduction of the Gabler bill (HB 1706) would amend Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes and provide a means to optionally register off-highway motorcycles, such as dual sports and enduros, with the DCNR for use on public ATV trails. Opening registration to OHMs will provide revenue for further trail development and maintenance, which translates to better trails and more riding opportunities for all, NOT just motorcyclists. Each of us can make a difference!

Here’s how you can help:

We urge all riders in support of the Gabler bill to firstly sign this petition.

https://www.change.org/p/pennsylvania-state-house-off-road-equity-for-pennsylvania-motorcyclists

Secondly, reach out to your local legislators. Explain why this legislation is important to you and kindly implore them to support HB 1706. You can locate your local legislators here.

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/index.cfm?mobile_choice=suppress

Please pass this along to all your riding friends. With enough support we can make a change.

– PaTRA

Due to maintenance, impact, and safety concerns, the dual sport motorcycle trail has been reclassified as a summer trail only. Questions or concerns about the reclassification can be directed to the Bald Eagle State Forest district office at 570-922-3344.

THE TRAIL SYSTEM IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.
Please do not ride the trail system until it reopens. For exact dates, because they can fluctuate based on hunting season, you should call the DCNR Office at 570-922-3344.

Please abide by these seasonal trail closures. Continuing to ride seasonally closed trails is jeopardizing the future of this trail system.

Trail Closure Guidelines:
The licensed Dual Sport Motorcycle trails on State Forest Lands are open to motorcycles from the Friday before memorial day through the last full weekend in September (summer season) 

Due to maintenance, impact, and safety concerns, the dual sport motorcycle trail has been reclassified as a summer trail only. Questions or concerns about the reclassification can be directed to the Bald Eagle State Forest district office at 570-922-3344.

Thank you – PaTRA

PATRA was honored to receive the 2018 Friend of the AMA award.

This award was established in 2012, it is presented to one or more in the motorcycling community, including clubs, companies, sponsors or partners, who have strongly supported the AMA mission and its programs.

In April 1973, a very energetic guy named Wally Crawford decided to form an organization that would organize all the off-road riders and clubs that were scattered across the state. Our work requires close coordination with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, state forestry officials, the state legislature and recreational, environmental and community stakeholders.

As you can see from our history, our mission is to ride, protect, and conserve the trail systems of the Bald Eagle State Forest.

We are very proud to be considered a friend to the AMA and support all those who enjoy the trail.

A very proud moment in our 45 year history.

Thank you AMA!