Dec. 22, 2008 – ATV Digest
U.S., Canadian groups work jointly to protect OHV recreation
The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) and the Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council (COHV) signed an agreement to partner with the All-Terrain Quad Council of Canada and the Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada to promote responsible off-highway vehicle recreation in North America, according to a NOHVCC press release.
The groups will promote responsible off-highway vehicle use through a number of programs, materials and information.
Russ Ehnes, executive director of NOHVCC, stated, “The mission of NOHVCC and the aims and goals of COHV are parallel, and a strong OHV community in both the United States and Canada is mutually beneficial. Together, the NOHVCC and the COHV and its partners, the AQCC and the MCC, enter into this memorandum of understanding to mutually strengthen responsible OHV recreation in both countries.”
The All-Terrain Quad Council of Canada, Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada and NOHVCC will work to share and distribute existing NOHVCC/COHV information, materials, products and programs in Canada and the United States, while approaching the development of new information and programs that’s adaptable and useful in both the U.S. and Canada.
ATV imports from China down dramatically
ATV imports from China continue to be down significantly from a year ago, according to tariff and trade data from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission.
China imports of “motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons” — the customs classifications for ATVs — totaled 11,000 in October, a dramatic decline from a year ago. Last year, these Chinese imports amounted to 36,000 vehicles.
For the year to date, these Chinese imports total 165,000 units, a 52.4 percent decline from a year ago.
Organization formed to promote safe use of UTVs
The Recreational Off-highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA) program has been formed by manufacturers and distributors to promote safe and responsible use of recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs).
According to the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council, the ROHVA received ANSI accreditation Nov. 3 to develop a standard for the equipment, configuration and performance requirements of ROVs. The program also published a list of safety rules for the vehicles as well as the document “Model State ROV Legislation,” which is available for use by state OHV associations, land managers, agencies and lawmakers.
ROHVA will serve as the primary resource for information on ROVs. To coincide with its ANSI accreditation the association has launched a Web site, www.rohva.org. psb