Listings below are from 2006

Nebraska ATV Laws
Q:  I am looking at purchasing an ATV in the near future and you site has been very helpful.  I have also looked at the Iowa OHV site.  Since I am trying to be as informed as possible, I do plan on becoming a NOHVA member.  But, I am still trying to find out more about the laws of NE.  The Iowa OHV site has a direct link.  I have looked through your site and the NE Legislature site, yet cannot seem to find exactly what I'm looking for. 

A:  No registration or licensing is required in Nebraska, just a title for your machine to prove ownership.  We recommend that you title you machine to prove ownership.  There is no age limit, and safety gear is not required. The only thing that is required is that you need a US Forest Service Approved spark arrester for your machine.  There are about six public areas to ride, all at no charge.  However, they do closed from time to time and we send mailing about the exact dates to our members.  You can ride on nearly any public road as long as it's for agriculture use only, not for recreation. 

Q:  About the US Forest Service approved spark arrester; does that come standard on machines, or is that something I need to add after purchasing?  If I do need to add on, where could I purchase/get it installed?  Also, are there any laws, or things I need to do differently, if I were purchasing an ATV in another state for use here in NE?

A:  All Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, Polaris, Bombardier, Artic Cat, John Deere ATV's sold in the US come from the factory with an exhaust that meets U.S. Forest Service standards as far as spark and noise, no add-ons needed.  A machine from these companies should be ready to ride.  If you purchase a machine in another state you will still have to pay Nebraska sales tax upon getting a Nebraska title. 

Information about ATV and dirtbike ownership on the State of Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles web site.
 

Listings below are from 2005

Please help!
Me and my wife are moving to McCook, Nebraska in march and I have built her quite a baja bug. I wanted to know if there is any clubs down there that we can be a part of or that can help me find places to ride.  I have built it from the ground up on a very low budget but you couldn't ever tell.  I have put my heart an soul into it and it would be a shame to sell it.  If there is any information you can give me it would be very appreciated.  Thank you for your time, Adam.

Liked Jamboree, did not like the non-use of helmets

I wanted to start by saying that I had a great time at the fall jamboree.  There was just one thing that bothered me and my friends.  It seemed like all that we have been talking about since we got back is how hardly no one was wearing helmets.  We thought you would like to know what a lot of people are saying, we think it is a fatal accident waiting to happen.  We knew things were bad when we seen a NOHVA official drag racing with his son on the back of the quad, both not wearing helmets. We find it hard to believe that you can promote an event without one word of wearing a helmet. Thanks for listening.
 

Thanks for your email!  Glad you had a good time at the Jamboree.  I enjoyed being able to help organize and run the event. 

 

We wish we could do something about the helmet thing.  The people who I ride with and hang out with also talk about people not wearing helmets, especially the goons with no shirt, helmet, and with sandals who ride double with girl friend hanging on for dear life!   I rode without a helmet on short trips at this last event, but to me I felt naked.  When I normally ride there (for fun), I wear full gear with chest protector, shoulder pads, full face helmet in good condition, riding boots, goggles and gloves. 

 

If we could require riders to wear helmets there, we would.  But we can't.  Believe it or not, we face more liability if we required everyone to wear helmets than not.  Sounds stupid, but in reality we have no power to force riders to wear them.  If we or the land owners required people to wear helmets, then we would have to provide the resources to enforce the rule.  And even then, if someone gets hurt with a helmet on, we maybe be even more liable if there was some other issue with the helmet such as is the helmet DOT approved, or is it in good condition or fits properly?  Regulations such as these are the responsibility of the state or another government sub-division.  We, as a not-for-profit organization, have no authority to enforcement them. 

 

Why don't people wear helmet?  You got me!  Even if I got hurt badly, I would like to be able to use my brain. 

 

At this jamboree there were 16 emergency room admissions.  All except one of the ER admissions were wearing helmets.  The one admission not wearing a helmet was riding (on back) double! 

 

Concerning the NOHVA official drag racing riding double, no one is allowed to participate in our organized drag races on Sunday riding double or without a helmet.  We give out free t-shirts to those who volunteer to help run the event.  What they do after they complete their volunteer time is something we have no control over.  Certainly it appears bad, but we have no control over it if they are participating in impromptu drag races. 

 

Thanks for your email and please do not hesitate to comment or make suggestions at any time.   Questions are an essential part of the process.  We all need to put our heads together to make these areas work.  

 

Thanks!

Dan Nitzel, Business Manager and Co-Founder

Answer:  The trip is an easy day’s drive from Grand Island at only 460 miles, mostly on I-80.  From Omaha it’s and extra 140 miles.   The North Sand Dune area is about 50 miles south west of Laramie Wyoming and about 15 miles north of Walden Colorado on state 125 near Cowdrey Colorado.  The area is situated in the North Park area of north central Colorado, is very nice and offers lots of scenery.  I would not be surprised if the area is coverd with snow right now!

 

First of all, you WILL NEED a Colorado OHV permit for each ATV and dirtbike.  They do check for them.   To obtain a permit, call the Colorado Department of Parks and Outdoor Recreation at 303-791-1920 AT LEAST one or two weeks before you leave or visit their web site.     A permit can also be obtained at some Colorado State Parks offices. You WILL NEED to have a US Forest Service Approved spark arrested exhaust system. 

You will have to re-jet your carburetor on you ATV or dirtbike about two or three sizes leaner as the air there is thinner because of the altitude.  The sand dunes are located at about 6000 feet above sea level.  Other trails we may ride on will get up to 10,000 or 12,000 feet, but if you re-jet for about 6500 foot you should be OK most of the time.  It would not be a bad idea to bring along extra  jets that are leaner than what you run here in Nebraska.

If you plan to stay in a motel, reserve a room early.  I have stayed in Walden at the Chedsey Motel or the North Park Motel.  The Chedsey is the nicest.  The North Park Motel offers kitchenettes. 

The nearest town is Walden Colorado.  It is a nice small cowboy town with one grocery store in Walden, several gas stations, some good places to eat like the Coffee Pot Café, a liquor store and several bars.  Nearest ATV/dirtbike dealer is in Steam Boat Springs or Laramie Wyoming. 

Camping at the North Sand Dune area is primitive, meaning no electricity, no water, no telephone, no newspapers, no TV, no trash cans, but there are several out houses and there is analog cell phone service.  You will have to bring in your own water and fire wood, and you have to take all your trash with you.  There is usually a rain shower late every afternoon. 

Question:  Was interested in joining, but wasn't sure if there are any trails close to me. I can't get a map so I will not join until I find out where the trails are, works both ways I guess. Why is Nebraska so uptight about atv riding? I've been to other states and they are glad to have you.

Answer: ATV and dirtbike trails are located near Columbus, Thedford, Nensel, Sutherland, and Chadron.  Details of these trails are included in our Nebraska Ride Guide 2004.  To answer your question about why Nebraska is so anit, call you state senators office.  We have info on our web site also at http://www.nohva.com/news.htm