Baystate Jeepers

With the wheeling season shortly upon us, we as responsible wheelers need to make sure we are not causing harm to the environment we interact with. The better we treat the world we live in, the longer we'll get to use it.

TRAVEL responsibly on designated roads, trails or areas.

• Drive over, not around obstacles to avoid widening the trail.
• When possible, avoid mud. In soft terrain, go easy on the gas to avoid wheel spin, which can cause
  rutting.
• To help with traction, balance your load and lower tire pressure
• Comply with all signs and respect barriers.
• Don’t mix driving with alcohol or drugs.

RESPECT the rights of others, including private property owners, all recreational trail users, campers and
others so they can enjoy their recreational activities undisturbed.

• Be considerate of others on the road or trail.
• Yield the right of way to those passing you or traveling uphill. Yield to mountain bikers, hikers, and
  horses.
• Keep the noise and dust down.

EDUCATE yourself prior to your trip by obtaining travel maps and regulations from public agencies,
planning for your trip, taking recreation skills classes, and knowing how to operate your
equipment safely.

• Check the weather forecast before you go.
• Prepare for the unexpected by packing necessary emergency items.
• Know your limitations. Watch your time, your fuel, and your energy.
• Make sure your vehicle is mechanically up to task. Be prepared with tools, supplies, spares, and a
  spill kit for trailside repairs.

AVOID sensitive areas such as meadows, lakeshores, wetlands and streams. Stay on designated routes.

• Do not disturb historical, archeological, or paleontological sites.
• Avoid “spooking” livestock and wildlife you encounter and keep your distance.

DO your part by modeling appropriate behavior, leaving the area better than you found it, properly
disposing of waste, minimizing the use of fire, avoiding the spread of invasive species, and
restoring degraded areas.

• Carry a trash bag on your vehicle and pick up litter left by others.
• Pack out what you pack in.
• Protect the soundscape by preventing unnecessary noise created by a poorly tuned vehicle or revving
  your engine.
• Before and after a ride, wash your vehicle to reduce the spread of invasive species.