‘Riding Shotgun’ Series Explores the Future of Responsible Off-Highway Adventures

“It’s a group mindset out here,” can be heard from the passenger side of a dusty off-highway vehicle roaring down a desert trail. Among the towering Saguaro cacti, leathery-leafed Jojoba shrubs, and pungent creosote bushes, two off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts talk shop in a side-by-side on a straightaway section of Arizona’s Boulders OHV Trail.

Their goal? Highlighting the importance of courteous, safe, and informed off-highway driving … and having a little fun exploring Arizona in the process.

Meet the driver: off-highway expert, Nick Olson, who has coupled his lifelong desert-dwelling experience with almost 2 decades of professional partnerships alongside vehicle mongols like Polaris, CanAm, and Fox Racing.

His shotgun rider serves as the Public Affairs and Media Relations Director for the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), Michael Colaianni.

In this first episode of AZGFD’s video series, “Riding Shotgun,” Nick and Michael dug deeper into why the sport’s popularity will only increase, and what today’s off-highway vehicle (OHV) drivers can do to help keep the sport safe for generations to come.

The topics of OHV safety and the off-highway community are not new to Olson: born and raised outside of Las Vegas, he grew up as a self-proclaimed desert rat with friends and family influencing his desire to rip around dirt tracks on motorcycles and side-by-sides.

Now, he loves sharing his enthusiasm for OHV driving through content creation, engaging experienced drivers and newcomers alike with his informational and family-friendly videos.

In this episode of “Riding Shotgun,” Colaianni asked Olson the burning questions: what does the future of off-highway driving look like, and what are the key safety issues facing the sport of OHV driving today?

Olson replied as he tackled twists and turns on the Boulders OHV Trail outside of Peoria, Ariz., “Understanding that no matter what, someone else might be out here. It’s an amazing activity and lifestyle that we get to enjoy. It’s only going to increase.”

Olson offered simple reminders that could keep OHV drivers from collisions or injuries: take it slow around blind turns, check your surroundings, keep your safety equipment on, and look out for your fellow recreational drivers, hikers, and bikers.

He urged experienced OHV drivers to mentor and provide education for newer drivers, especially on how to prepare for drives and how to respect other outdoor enthusiasts on the trail.

“Think of your neighbor,” Olson said, referring to kicking up dust near campsites. It may be common courtesy and common sense, but signs are there for a reason: at the Boulders OHV Staging Area hangs a sign that prohibits doing donuts in the parking lot. That’s because of the camping area; who wants dust settling onto their fresh-cooked dinner at camp?

In response to those same signs, Colaianni replied, “You realize common sense ain’t so common.”

Olson’s way of thinking? Make it common again, leading by example.

The future of the OHV looks bright, as Olson reminded Colaianni, “We’ll all have to work together, and we’ll all have to be respectful of how we drive, because it’s not going to get less popular out there!”

For more tips on recreating safely and legally off-highway in Arizona, visit AZGFD’s website.

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