ATV Trail Progress: The Alliance of Trail Vehicles of Maine
Over a decade ago, a group of ATV riders in Maine created a an association devoted to protecting and creating trail systems for ATVs in Maine. Today that association, The Alliance of Trail Vehicles of Maine, has a membership of 20,000. Their biggest task is landowner access according to president Richard Barter.
While the association has support from two members of a private lobbying firm, the bulk of support comes from different club members who rally when needed. The association also promotes the creation and expansion of other ATV and off road clubs in order to spread awareness of the importance of trail systems in Maine.
They also help land owners protect themselves when opening their land to ATVs:
The group offers landowner liability/event insurance for member clubs to purchase. "This helps in easing landowner concerns when it comes to liability issues when they approve motorized access to their property," said Barter.