American Motorcyclist Association teams with U.S. Forest Service's Wayne National Forest to produce 'Don't Ruin the Ride' off-road videos

 The American Motorcyclist Association and the U.S. Forest Service's Wayne National Forest have jointly produced two YouTube videos promoting safe and responsible off-road motorcycling.

The videos encourage riders to stay on designated trails, offer courtesy to other trail users, obtain all the required permits, stay sober and resist the urge to race each other while trail riding.

"We were very happy to be able to work on this project with the U.S. Forest Service and, particularly, with our neighbors at the Wayne National Forest," said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. "Responsible off-road riding helps prevent damage to the forest and the trails, helps ensure continued access to public lands and makes the experience safer for us and for other trail riders. It benefits everyone involved."

Land managers at the Wayne National Forest -- the largest off-highway-vehicle trail system in Ohio -- say they are optimistic that the video will encourage riders to ride responsibly, while being mindful of natural resources. The Wayne National Forest covers almost a quarter of a million acres of Appalachian foothills in Southeastern Ohio.

"It was great to be able to partner with the AMA to develop the educational videos," said Chad Wilberger, Wayne's recreation program manager. "We hope these videos will help motorized trail riders understand that riding safely and responsibly is part of having an enjoyable riding experience."

One video (http://youtu.be/OjcXivy3b8c) features Walker Fowler, who finished second in the XC1 ATV class in the 2014 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series, presented by Maxxis, an AMA National Championship.

"When I ride the Nationals, I go all out," Walker says in the video. "When I trail (ride) with my friends, we take it easy. We know that if we tear up the trails we could lose access to public lands. There's a time to race. And there's a time to ride... Stay on the trail. Ride legally. Be safe. And keep our trails open."

The second video (http://youtu.be/oEWOz6GvoYY) features Dingman, AMA Chief Operations Officer Jeff Massey and AMA Chief Financial Officer Bruce Moffat at Wayne National Forest riding with some family members.

The messages in that video include:

• Using the right equipment
• Obtaining the proper permits and registrations
• Staying on the designated trail
• Extending courtesy to other riders
• Never drinking alcohol when riding

"Stay safe. Ride smart. Don't ruin the ride," the narrator urges.

Funding for the videos was made available from the Recreational Trails Program, an assistance program of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration, administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources