by Dan Nitzel

As described in our "Trails Focus Group Meeting Held" article in this newsletter, there was some heated debate as to "what" trail users and "who" our organization represents. A group of sand rail, dune buggy and jeep owners are angry with our organization because our group does not represent "them" and we do not include "them" in projects we manage or are planning. Additionally, some of them demand that "we allow them" to use the Headworks OHV Park near Genoa and trails at the Nebraska National Forest, and that "we" negociate projects for sand rails, dune buggies and jeeps when we plan projects for ATVs and dirtbikes.

Concerning "who" allows "who" to use of the land at Headworks and at the Nebraska National Forest is not our decision. Land managers who control these two parcels call the shots. We simply help out in managing these parcels by representing our MEMBERS interests.

To the best of my knowledge, none of the sand rails, dune buggy and jeep owners who are demanding that we represent them were members of our organization.

This confusion by the sand rail, dune buggy and jeep owners concerning "who" our organization represents was apparently based upon the name of our organization and "their" interpretation of that name.

Our name, the "Nebraska Off Highway Vehicle Association" contains the words "off highway vehicle". These three words as interpretation by them includes ANY vehicle that can be use off road. As many other ATV and dirtbike organizations like our own in the nation have done, we adopted the "off highway vehicle" words into our name to better identify ourselves.

According to our by-laws drafted on November 18, 1987, "the purpose of the TBQ (Trikes, Bikes and Quads) Sport Club, Inc. is to stimulate and advance the general welfare and safety of ATV and Dirtbike recreation" "in Nebraska". Since 1994, we have been doing business as "d.b.a. Nebraska Off Highway Vehicle Association".

In 1988 and 1994 we discussed at length the "off highway vehicle" part of our new name and who we should include in our organization. Two items were considered, one involving the number of members in our organization that had interests in machines other than ATVs and dirtbikes, and the design criteria of different off road vehicle trails.

After studying the makeup of our membership, we noticed that there were few if any members of our organization interested in other off road motorized vehicles besides ATVs and dirtbikes. With this in mind, we narrowed the primary scope of our organization mainly to ATVs and dirtbikes.

The other factor involved trails. As an organization, it was our intent to help develop and maintain off road trails. We discovered that there is a vast difference between ATV and dirtbike trails that are limited to a width of 50" and a vehicle weight of less than 1200 pounds, and other larger vehicles. ATV and dirtbike trails can be developed and maintained with minimal effort, usually with manual labor, small construction equipment and with ATVs owned by our members or other volunteers. .

On the other hand, jeep, sand rail, dune buggy, SUV and truck trails require a trail width of up to 84 inches or more, plus must accommodate vehicle of up to 5 tons. For instance, my Dodge 4x4 pickup, which I enjoy using "off road" weighs in at 7200 pounds with no gear or passengers. The development and maintenance of these trails approach the design criteria close to that of public roads. Heavy equipment may be necessary to develop and maintain these trails. New trails that would include vehicles over 50 inches in width would require much more complex and more costly environmental impact studies. Additionally, trails over 50 inches would be much more expensive and far more detailed in construction than those designed for ATVs and dirtbikes.

Considering these factors and considering the limited resources and funding that our organization had at that time, it was clear that we needed to limit the scope of trail users we represented to ATV and dirtbike enthusiasts.

The disruption initiated by sand rail, dune buggy and jeep owners at the Focus group meeting changed the tone of the meeting from "what can be done to help improve the lack of trails in Nebraska" to "what can be done about NOHVA". It was the latest volley towards or organization that is based in ignorance and miss-information. If they have problems with our organization and/or myself, it would be best if these issues are discussed privately and not in a public forum!

Here in Grand Island, they have proudly gone as far as making large custom window stickers of Calvin urinating on the words "NOHVA". With the past resentment and recent resentment towards us in mind, how do they expect "us" to have respect for them?

Additionally, the sand rail, dune buggy and jeep owners at the Focus group meeting may have served to enforce some attitudes within the state that there is a large amount aggressiveness on the part of recreational off highway vehicle users as a whole. This gives them the impression that "we" are very difficult and un-desirable to work with. With this in mind, the meeting may have caused everyone, ATV, dirtbike, snowmobile, sand rail, dune buggy and jeep enthusiasts more harm than good.

As I explained in a letter to state officials who attended the focus meeting, we consider an off highway vehicle as a vehicle that can only be used off-highway and cannot be modified in any way to make it legal for on highway use.

Sand rails and dune buggies can be licensed and are often used on highways in Nebraska. Jeeps were originally manufactured for use on highways. Some jeep owners have, at their own choosing, altered their vehicles so that they cannot be used on highways.

Currently, all ATVs and most dirtbikes cannot be used on Nebraska highways even if they are extensively modified. This is the difference between ATVs, dirtbikes and snowmobiles, as these vehicles were not designed by the manufacturer to used on highways. Jeeps, sand rails and dune buggies are vehicles that CAN BE licensed and driven on public roads in Nebraska.

Even after the abuse imposed upon us from the sand rails, dune buggy and jeep owners, I offered to help them. Several times I have offered my personal and our organizations resources to help them form their own interest group.

As far as "them" being part of "our" group, we are struggling just to keep up with the interests of ATV and dirtbike enthusiasts. Our organization does not have the resources available to work for ATVs, dirtbikes owners, AND sand rails, dune buggy and jeep owners.

There are several groups including our own that are willing to help them form an organization. NOHVCC, United 4x4 Association, and BlueRibbion Coalition, just to name a few, would be glad to help!

Sand rail, dune buggy and jeep owners need to form their own club that would target their specific needs. Our organization currently has a good relationship with the Nebraska State Snowmobile Association. After they are organized, I am sure we would be happy to co-operate with them in a future state coalition.

Back to the News Page

Copyright © 2003 TBQ Sport Club, Inc. /  d.b.a. Nebraska Off Highway Vehicle Association
Reproduction of any part of this web site is prohibited without permission.  Read our Disclaimer for information
This Site is Designed and Maintained by hookusup.com
This page was updated on Wednesday, January 19, 2005