Are ATVs Bad For The Environment

Let’s Be Real

Let’s be real for a second and admit that there are few people out there who would argue that off-roading is not an exciting and exhilarating thing to do. Going off the beaten path and taking on the untamed roads in a blaze of speed over a piece of jolting terrain all while listening to the roar of a mighty engine is guaranteed to make you feel alive.

More than 40 million Americans seem to be devoted to this sport so it indeed must have something going for it to attract such a following. Vehicles like our beloved ATVs or even dirt bikes give their riders some of the greatest experiences possible. Then where oh where could there be a problem in this?

A debate has been carrying on for years about the wisdom of actually allowing off-road vehicles, ATVs included, free maneuverability in public spaces such as natural parks and ecosystems since their unregulated use can disturb vegetation, wildlife and the general balance of nature. 

This scandal amplified in 2010 when the U.S. National Forests had to finish drawing out designated off-roading areas, limiting their access to public lands. While riders are up in arms demanding full use of the space, the environmentalists, on the other hand, are even demanding for a complete ban of some vehicles. 

Why Is This Happening?

The reason this is happening is pretty straightforward: by definition, "off-roading" is designed to put engine-driven automobiles in areas which are not made for them. This can have a plethora of effects on the natural environment, such as:

Disturbing the ground

The mighty force of the off-road vehicles will churn up the soil leading to ruts, damaged root systems, accelerated erosion and even more of an increased frequency in dust storms and/or sedimentation in the waterways. 

Since an ATV can weigh anywhere from 400 to over 1,000 pounds, their heavy body compacts the soil and this by default changes its properties, squeezing the tiny air spaces out of what would usually be good, fertile ground. When this happens, water cannot enter it anymore and it will likely cause runoff.

When runoff occurs, those surface soils are washed downhill into water where they have a negative impact on the aquatic habitat, also limiting root growth for plants. Therefore, it’s easy to see how damaging a cycle this can be.

Disturbing the vegetation

Furthermore, the vegetation is even more vulnerable to this. In addition to simply damaging the plants by driving over them, off-roading can churn up the soil and spread certain seeds in places they are not supposed to be in, therefore aiding the spreading of weeds and possibly damaging native plant life. 

A study made by the Montana State University Extension Service found that one single off-roading vehicle can distribute 2,000 seeds over a 10-mile radius so it is not hard to imagine the impact a great number of ATVs or dirt bikes could have in an enclosed wild area. 

Disturbing the wildlife

As the natural habitat is affected and invaded by toxic weeds which should not be there, the wildlife that depends on it will share in its suffering. Animals that feed on those plants will tend to diminish in numbers while those that feed on them will do the exact same thing for the exact same reasons. 

Also, the engine noise from ATVs or dirt bikes can really frighten off the animals and force them to leave their habitat, not only endangering their lives but also depriving people like hikers and campers of the chance to spot them in their natural environment. 

Considering how close to 1 million new off-road vehicles are purchased every year in the United States, this really seems to be an issue that has to be addressed sooner rather than later. 

Are ATVs All Bad?

All-terrain vehicles are not always bad and in fact, some people really need to use them in their everyday life for work purposes. If you’re a trapper in a forest, you do need your ATV to safely get to your trap lines and, believe it or not, the biggest ATV community in the United States are not the off-roading enthusiasts but rather the farmers.

Farmers really make proper use of their vehicles since they use it in their daily lives and not as a recreational activity. This is also the reason why ATV theft has reached new heights seeing how it is very easy for a thief to observe a vehicle left out in the open fields. 

This is not what the environmentalists and the ATV enthusiasts are disputing. The issue, rather, is how much does a person need to burn gas to pound through otherwise pristine forests, destroying the habitat, scaring the wildlife and wrecking the trails in the process? 

On the other hand, the sheer number of people who enjoy this activity removes the ‘’Ban ATVs’’ solution out of the equation. A compromise is what is desperately required for this to work and both parties have to be willing to lose something to win anything.

What Can Be Done?

As we said, both parties have to be aware that a compromise means they won’t get 100% of what they deserve. However, even if it’s true that ATVs were not designed with the environment’s well being in mind, there are many things people can do to reduce their negative impact. 

Keep it clean and repaired

The first step to limiting emissions and fumes from basically any motorized vehicle is to keep it in tip-top shape. Cleaning your ATV regularly and responsibly with a pressure washer and applying rust-resistant coating to the metal is a great way to start. Rust is toxic to plants and animals so you really don’t want to leave that residue behind when riding. 

Synthetic oil is also worth using because it represents a more environmentally-friendly alternative to gas-powered and diesel-powered vehicles. Due to its natural components, it will require replacement much less frequently, which will help to reduce the overall oil waste.

Furthermore, even though ATVs will require upkeep and reparations, proper disposal tactics are essential for the environment since used batteries and other things like these can severely damage it. This is the reason why people who don’t follow these procedures will get severy fined by the authorities.

Fewer Emissions

Nowadays, there’s a steady increase in the number of ATVs that feature technological innovations which lead to cost-efficient fuel economy and very low emissions by converting them into harmless gases. 

Since many companies see what’s going on and adding eco-friendly options into their inventory, it really opens up a new world of possibilities for the off-roading enthusiasts out there. 

Some Final Thoughts

Another essential practice for would-be adventurers is to always respect the designated trails since they have already been cleared of wildlife and plants so there is nothing to worry about.

As you can see, the ATV industry as a whole has taken many steps in reducing the impact the machines have on the environment so people can enjoy their favorite pastime without feeling like aggressors. This is always a good thing to see in an industry that’s enraptured tens of millions of people.