American Motorcyclist Association Warns Riders Of Booby Traps On Public Trails
[caption id="attachment_59848" align="alignright"
width="300"] A photo of a booby trap that was
found in 2014, courtesy of the Arizona Game and Fish
Department.[/caption]
Motorcyclists and all-terrain-vehicle riders in three states have
discovered booby traps along trails on public lands that place
riders, hikers and others at risk, the American Motorcyclist
Association reported today.
In Idaho, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, someone or some group is
deliberately trying to harm off-highway-vehicle riders who use
trails on public lands. Booby traps also have been reported in
recent years along trails in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico.
"This type of activity is extremely dangerous," said Rob Dingman,
AMA president and CEO. "A motorcyclist who hits one of these traps
can be seriously injured or even killed. We want anyone with
information about these tactics to contact law enforcement
immediately."
Already this year:
- Off-highway riders in Massachusetts found cables strung across
trails in four state parks, according to the Massachusetts
Environmental Police and the state Department of Conservation and
Recreation. Authorities are asking anyone who notices suspicious
activity to call the 24-hour Environmental Police line at (800)
632-8075 or the DCR Park Watch Hotline at (866) 759-2824. The New
England Trail Riders Association is offering a $500 reward for
information leading to the arrest and conviction of the
perpetrators.
- Members of the Mount Moosilauke ATV Club Riders near Warren, N.H.,
discovered boards with nails in several places along the multi-use
trail system. Before anyone was injured, club members removed the
boards, along with scattered nails and broken glass. The ATV club
is offering a $1,350 reward for information leading to the arrest
and conviction of the perpetrators.
- In Custer County, Idaho, riders found a piece of barbed wire
strung across a trail about 4 feet from the ground, endangering
off-highway-vehicle riders and mountain bikers, according to
Sharetrails.org.
"The AMA is issuing AMA Action Alerts to riders in areas where
these incidents have occurred," Dingman said. "But, at the same
time, riders everywhere should use due caution on the trails,
because we know there are people out there who would do us
harm."
In addition to contacting local law enforcement authorities, the
AMA asks that you send an email to grassroots@ama-cycle.org
about these incidents, so other motorcyclists can be alerted. Sign
up for AMA Action Alerts at
www.americanmotorcyclist.com > Rights > AMA Action
Center.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based
association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle
and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world's largest
motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA
advocates for riders' interests at all levels of government and
sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every
year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and
services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame
in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of
motorcycling.
Source: American
Motorcyclist Association press release.