The California Supreme Court ruled last week that off-highway vehicle riding and driving can continue at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area.
This is a press release from the Motorcycle Industry Council…
In a major win for the OHV community and Friends of Oceano Dunes, the California Supreme Court ruled last week that off-highway vehicle riding and driving can continue at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area.
The court declined to hear California Coastal Commission’s appeal seeking to ban OHVs at the dunes, effectively upholding lower court rulings in favor of continued recreation in the popular area. The decision reaffirms that only San Luis Obispo County, through its Local Coastal Plan, has the authority to make such changes – not the Commission. The certified LCP explicitly permits OHV use and states that one of its goals is to “maximize public recreational opportunities,” including OHV use, at Oceano Dunes.
“This decision confirms that the Coastal Commission overstepped,” said Scott Schloegel, MIC Senior Vice President of Government Relations. “We’ve supported efforts to keep Oceano Dunes SVRA open and accessible, but it’s the Friends of Oceano Dunes who’ve done the heavy lifting in court. Their continued commitment has helped protect an important part of California’s OHV access.”
In other news from the Motorcycle Industry Council…
Ride With Us Giveaway Engages Nearly 17,000 Participants
The Ride With Us Triumph Scrambler 400 X giveaway wrapped in June, having received almost 17,000 entries – and fresh data shows the campaign reached a wide range of new and potential riders.
According to participant responses, 47% identified as inspired to ride – nearly 8,000 people interested in motorcycling but who haven’t yet taken the first step. Another 16% reported they have a motorcycle license but no bike, while 33% were already licensed and riding.
“We’re excited by how many potential riders we reached with this giveaway,” said Andre Albert, MIC Director of Marketing and Events. “Now that we’ve connected with nearly 8,000 people who are inspired to ride, we’re focused on helping them take the next step on their journey. We’re also encouraged by the thousands of entries from those who already have a license but haven’t yet bought a bike. These riders are even closer to joining the community, and we’ll be making sure they get the support and information they need.”
The giveaway was part of Ride With Us’ broader effort to lower barriers to entry and better understand the rider journey – from first interest to license, bike, and beyond. Participants are now being brought into Ride With Us’ rider nurture system, which offers tailored next steps like training opportunities, gear guidance, and beginner bike resources – all designed to help new riders move forward with confidence.
EV Policy Expert Joins the MIC
Henrique Martins is the new Director of EV Policy and Infrastructure at the Motorcycle Industry Council. With more than 25 years of experience in regulatory compliance and certification, he has helped shape EV policy and align global standards across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. His appointment comes as the powersports industry continues to expand into electrification and navigate evolving infrastructure and policy challenges.
“Henrique brings a rare combination of deep technical expertise, global perspective, and strategic policy insight,” said Scott Schloegel, MIC Senior Vice President of Government Relations. “As the powersports industry continues to innovate in electrification, his leadership will be key to advancing policies and infrastructure that support a strong future for electric motorcycles and off-highway vehicles.”
Grant Fuels New OHV Ambassador Program in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Off-Highway Vehicle Association (PaOHV) has been awarded a $25,000 Right Rider Access Fund grant to create a volunteer trail ambassador program across the state.
Brad Smith, Executive Director of PaOHV, knows firsthand the power of positive peer pressure. When he first got into dirt biking as a teenager, his family wasn’t involved in the sport – so he learned the hard way.
“I took a few falls at first and made some poor choices,” Smith said. “Luckily, I had a childhood friend – who would later start a club with me – who was committed to wearing his helmet and other safety gear and to following the rules. I learned from his example. I also learned that riding safely and following the rules would not only ensure that I had fun but also ensure access to riding areas is available for myself and others into the future.”
That early lesson helped shape Smith’s long career in OHV advocacy. Now, with support from the RRAF, he’s working to formalize those same values across Pennsylvania’s trail networks.
“I started to notice trash alongside trails in popular riding areas, and some user-created routes that didn’t belong,” he said. “I don’t believe people mean to be bad stewards – they just need the same sort of positive example I was lucky to have. I know there are successful trail ambassador programs in other states like Minnesota and Wisconsin, so I hope to model their success here.”
The first step will be developing a training curriculum and code of conduct for volunteers. PaOHV plans to draw ambassadors from its statewide network of member clubs. “We are lucky to have a pool of candidates … who will definitely ‘walk the walk,'” Smith said. “But we need to develop a code of conduct and some training.”
The ambassadors’ safety is a top priority, and the program is designed to foster positive interactions – not conflict.
“At a basic level, confrontation will lead to escalation,” Smith said. “If there is trash alongside the trail, being seen picking it up and disposing of it will hopefully lead to others ‘getting it’ and packing their trash out. With respect to safety for the ambassadors, we will always have teams of at least two, so nobody will have to approach someone alone. When ambassadors do approach someone out on the trails, it will be with a smile, and in search of a positive, friendly interaction.”
Once the program is in place, ambassadors will wear blaze orange vests or jerseys that clearly identify them – but without resembling law enforcement.
“We want other riders to recognize them as approachable, knowledgeable enthusiasts who are there to help,” Smith said.
The program will also lean on existing resources. PaOHV plans to equip ambassadors with educational materials from groups like the ATV Safety Institute, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association, and Tread Lightly!. Ambassadors may set up outreach tables on busy riding days, distributing literature and answering questions from new and experienced riders alike.
While the ambassador program will offer new structure and visibility, Smith emphasized that many riders are already doing the right thing on their own.
“It is important to note that there are a lot of good people out there already modeling good behavior,” he said. “Our goal is to give this a formal structure where designated ambassadors can report their experiences, and we can track the effectiveness of the program. They will not be out there to enforce anything, call anyone out, or publicly identify anyone. But they can keep track of any rogue trails that develop or identify key areas where help is needed.”
Click here for all the latest motorcycle Industry News on Cycle News.
