Florida Motorcycle Dealers Association

By JOE CRANKSHAW
joe.crankshaw@scripps.com
January 5, 2007

Fort Pierce resident Shawn Webb said he spends more than two hours in his car just to get to a place where he and his family can ride dirt bikes and off-road vehicles.

"I have to take my family at least 200 miles to ride at the Croom (Motorcycle Area), a state facility near Brooksville," he said. "With the cost of gasoline, that makes for a very expensive weekend."

The lengthy trip for Webb and other dirt bike enthusiasts might be getting shortened — significantly.

Jensen Beach resident Terry Tillman, who has complained about the noise riders in her neighborhood make, will ask the local state legislative delegation today to help both homeowners plagued by illegal riders and the riders who need a place to enjoy themselves.

Webb, Tillman and others want to see a public place for dirt bike riders on the Treasure Coast, but there are no plans for such a place.

But in Martin County, recreational planner Kevin Landry said the 2004 Parks and Recreation Master Plan for Martin County contains a provision calling for the eventual development of a dirt bike area.

"But it wasn't very high in the priorities," he said.

Martin County Commissioner Doug Smith, a former dirt bike rider, said while the problem exists all over on the Treasure Coast, he thinks Martin County would consider such a facility. He said if a large land owner could be found whose property meets state requirements an arrangement could be made.

"In New England, we use to ride along power line easements," Smith said. "The land is not environmentally sensitive and usually runs for miles with the only obstacle being the power poles. Maybe something could be worked out with Florida Power and Light to use their right-of-way."

Fort Pierce businessman and dirt bike enthusiast John Tiffany said there are publicly funded recreational facilities on the Treasure Coast for almost every sport except off-road riding with dirt bikes and other vehicles.

"Every dirt bike rider has to register his bike," Webb said. "They have to pay a fee, part of which is supposed to help provide them with a place to ride. There are places, but they are very far away."

Concerns about liability and accidents usually are reasons why government should not build trail riding areas, Webb said.

Tillman began her quest to find a place for the riders after illegal riders on the sand ridge behind her Jensen Beach home disturbed her and her neighbors. She said she wanted them to stop disturbing the peace but felt they should have a place to ride.

Winn Peeples, lobbyist for the Florida Motorcycle Dealers Association in Tallahassee, has told Tillman he will try to help her get state assistance because funds exist for trail riding facilities.