UTVs are fine, same as any other tool. But for whatever reason UTVs seem to attract a higher percentage of poorly-behaved owners. I suspect its because, unlike dirt bikes and similar, you can operate them with zero skills and not immediately suffer injury or death. And there is a cupholder for your beer, a cooler for the beers-in-waiting, and a place for speakers to blast one’s music into the wilderness.
Informally, I have observed that jerky/destructive behavior is correlated with the square feet of flag flown from the back of the UTV (regardless of the flag’s message).
The polar opposite appears to be adventure bike riders, who tend to be highly-skilled and considerate of others. I have never been dusted by a high-speed flyby from an ADV rider, or seen one deliberately rut out a wet trail. “Woo-hoo, looka muh roost!”
To be fair: I have seen UTVs used by talented and considerate individuals. Skillfully navigating terrain that it was hard for me to walk up with trekking poles, and leaving no visible damage. More power to 'em, and I hope they encourage the miscreants to behave better on public lands.
UTVs are fine, same as any other tool. But for whatever reason UTVs seem to attract a higher percentage of poorly-behaved owners. I suspect its because, unlike dirt bikes and similar, you can operate them with zero skills and not immediately suffer injury or death. And there is a cupholder for your beer, a cooler for the beers-in-waiting, and a place for speakers to blast one’s music into the wilderness.
Informally, I have observed that jerky/destructive behavior is correlated with the square feet of flag flown from the back of the UTV (regardless of the flag’s message).
The polar opposite appears to be adventure bike riders, who tend to be highly-skilled and considerate of others. I have never been dusted by a high-speed flyby from an ADV rider, or seen one deliberately rut out a wet trail. “Woo-hoo, looka muh roost!”
To be fair: I have seen UTVs used by talented and considerate individuals. Skillfully navigating terrain that it was hard for me to walk up with trekking poles, and leaving no visible damage. More power to 'em, and I hope they encourage the miscreants to behave better on public lands.