SirGravellot
Pack Dog
Because of the issues raised on our forum, All punished for the sins of others.... , SANPARKS, BIKERS AND ATTITUDE and many others I think we need to take some action NOW.
Lets look at the story so far:
After idiots caused the beach-ban, DEAT (Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism) moved its focus to all the inland areas where off-roading is taking place to look at curbing the negative impact off-road vehicles such as 4x4's, 4x2's, 4-wheelers and "off-road" two-wheelers are causing on our precious environment. In a parliamentary speech in April 2005 the Minister, Martinus van Schalkwyk, instructed the â??off-roadâ? community (thatâ??s including us by the way) to sort out their industry or he would sort it out for them. He gave them a simple choice: develop a self-regulation strategy or be faced with one-sided legislation and bans like the beach-ban.
In a reaction to this challenge â??n workgroup was formed called NOW (National Off-Road Workgroup) and later that year held its first workshop.
For the past two years they have been brain-storming, bumping heads, strategizing, appointing consultants, liaising with international parties such as TREADLIGHTLY!, Australian Off-road clubs and regulating bodies to name a few, held workshops and most importantly have held public stakeholder workshops for participation and development of this strategy. Stakeholders were invited to comment on the concept regulations.
NOW Vision
Our Vision is to see Africa and its peoples and natural resources prosper and grow by being protected and not destroyed. We pledge to responsibly and sustainably exist in Africa and the World so that all peoples can enjoy the same benefits in future as we did in the past and present.
NOW Mission
Our Mission is to ensure the sustainability of Africa's treasure trove of resources through the education of our members and to prevent its selfish destruction through over utilisation and ignorance.
NOW Catchphrase
Barely THERE :
Take everything out (What you take in you take out)
Help restore damage
Educate and learn
Reduce your impact
Ensure conservation
They held public workshops in November last year in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town and have now finished their draught Self-Regulation Strategy and will be presenting it Minister Martinus soon.
So did any of us attend one of these workshops? Did/do we have any representation in this process?
Do you know who the stakeholders are that is representing us?
â?¢ AAWDC - The Association of All Wheel Drive Clubs of Southern Africa (4x4 only)
â?¢ 4WDGA (Four Wheel Drive Guides Association)
â?¢ SAVRALA (Vehicle Rental & Lease)
â?¢ SANOTA (South African National Off-Road Trainers Association)
â?¢ SAROOF (Trail Owners and Route Operators)
â?¢ AMID (Vehicle Importers)
â?¢ NAAMSA (Motor Manufacturers)
â?¢ DEAT (Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism)
So what does this draught Self-Regulation Strategy look like?
Itâ??s based on three main suggestions:
1. Certain areas will be off-limits:
At the moment current legislation prohibits access to eco-sensitive areas like Forestry Areas/SANPARKS etc. NOW is suggesting that this legislation be altered to allow access to these areas but only if you have undergone extra training. Following on this suggestion more areas will probably be declared eco-sensitive. That means that places where you currently ride, might be declared off-limits, unless you have undergone extra training. These sensitive areas must still be determined and is part of the current DEAT investigation.
2. You will have to undergo further training
NOW is putting forward that off-road vehicle owners (that includes 4-wheel and off-road motorbikes) obtain a certificate of competency (COC) by completing a training course before you will be allowed access to the sensitive areas.
3. Your route/trail must be accredited
As a route owner you will have to let your route be assessed and accredited by a regulating body to ensure certain standards are met and maintained.
So if Martinus approves this plan it will probably take 3 â?? 5 years to implement it.
What I suggest is that we start an NGO - National Association for Trail Riding (or something similar) as there are enough manufacturer related clubs (BMW Motorcycle Clubs, Harley Motorcycle Clubs, KTM etc.) and smaller local clubs, but no Association binding them together with a common goal and ethos.
We need to have something similar to the AAWDC - The Association of All Wheel Drive Clubs of Southern Africa with a Constitution and Code of Conduct. This will also give us national representation in the years to come before the legislation is instated. We need to be at the party or we will not have any fun!
We canâ??t sit back and point fingers AFTERWARDS and say we are not happy with this and that. We've already been caught napping... let's not get caught sleeping.
We need a National Association and representation and we need it NOW.
Lets look at the story so far:
After idiots caused the beach-ban, DEAT (Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism) moved its focus to all the inland areas where off-roading is taking place to look at curbing the negative impact off-road vehicles such as 4x4's, 4x2's, 4-wheelers and "off-road" two-wheelers are causing on our precious environment. In a parliamentary speech in April 2005 the Minister, Martinus van Schalkwyk, instructed the â??off-roadâ? community (thatâ??s including us by the way) to sort out their industry or he would sort it out for them. He gave them a simple choice: develop a self-regulation strategy or be faced with one-sided legislation and bans like the beach-ban.
In a reaction to this challenge â??n workgroup was formed called NOW (National Off-Road Workgroup) and later that year held its first workshop.
For the past two years they have been brain-storming, bumping heads, strategizing, appointing consultants, liaising with international parties such as TREADLIGHTLY!, Australian Off-road clubs and regulating bodies to name a few, held workshops and most importantly have held public stakeholder workshops for participation and development of this strategy. Stakeholders were invited to comment on the concept regulations.
NOW Vision
Our Vision is to see Africa and its peoples and natural resources prosper and grow by being protected and not destroyed. We pledge to responsibly and sustainably exist in Africa and the World so that all peoples can enjoy the same benefits in future as we did in the past and present.
NOW Mission
Our Mission is to ensure the sustainability of Africa's treasure trove of resources through the education of our members and to prevent its selfish destruction through over utilisation and ignorance.
NOW Catchphrase
Barely THERE :
Take everything out (What you take in you take out)
Help restore damage
Educate and learn
Reduce your impact
Ensure conservation
They held public workshops in November last year in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town and have now finished their draught Self-Regulation Strategy and will be presenting it Minister Martinus soon.
So did any of us attend one of these workshops? Did/do we have any representation in this process?
Do you know who the stakeholders are that is representing us?
â?¢ AAWDC - The Association of All Wheel Drive Clubs of Southern Africa (4x4 only)
â?¢ 4WDGA (Four Wheel Drive Guides Association)
â?¢ SAVRALA (Vehicle Rental & Lease)
â?¢ SANOTA (South African National Off-Road Trainers Association)
â?¢ SAROOF (Trail Owners and Route Operators)
â?¢ AMID (Vehicle Importers)
â?¢ NAAMSA (Motor Manufacturers)
â?¢ DEAT (Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism)
So what does this draught Self-Regulation Strategy look like?
Itâ??s based on three main suggestions:
1. Certain areas will be off-limits:
At the moment current legislation prohibits access to eco-sensitive areas like Forestry Areas/SANPARKS etc. NOW is suggesting that this legislation be altered to allow access to these areas but only if you have undergone extra training. Following on this suggestion more areas will probably be declared eco-sensitive. That means that places where you currently ride, might be declared off-limits, unless you have undergone extra training. These sensitive areas must still be determined and is part of the current DEAT investigation.
2. You will have to undergo further training
NOW is putting forward that off-road vehicle owners (that includes 4-wheel and off-road motorbikes) obtain a certificate of competency (COC) by completing a training course before you will be allowed access to the sensitive areas.
3. Your route/trail must be accredited
As a route owner you will have to let your route be assessed and accredited by a regulating body to ensure certain standards are met and maintained.
So if Martinus approves this plan it will probably take 3 â?? 5 years to implement it.
What I suggest is that we start an NGO - National Association for Trail Riding (or something similar) as there are enough manufacturer related clubs (BMW Motorcycle Clubs, Harley Motorcycle Clubs, KTM etc.) and smaller local clubs, but no Association binding them together with a common goal and ethos.
We need to have something similar to the AAWDC - The Association of All Wheel Drive Clubs of Southern Africa with a Constitution and Code of Conduct. This will also give us national representation in the years to come before the legislation is instated. We need to be at the party or we will not have any fun!
We canâ??t sit back and point fingers AFTERWARDS and say we are not happy with this and that. We've already been caught napping... let's not get caught sleeping.
We need a National Association and representation and we need it NOW.
