Off-road Motorcycle Community Unites to Protect State’s Only Legal Trail Riding Area

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments is conducting a siting study on the route for the Naugatuck River Greenway from Thomaston to Torrington. There are currently six (6) options for the route being considered. Two of these routes would disrupt the only legal trail riding area for off-road motorcycles in all of Connecticut.

The Thomaston Dam trail bike area is overseen and operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. This area has been Connecticut’s only legal public land for offroad motorcycles since the 1970’s.
NVCOG and NHCOG are currently conducting a siting study for the Naugatuck River Greenway. They have proposed six (6) different possible routes. Two (2) of these options would disrupt the trail bike area.
The Motorcycle Industry Council estimates that there are over 26,000 off-road motorcycles owned in Connecticut.
The off-road motorcycle community is uniting to ensure that the Thomaston Dam trails stay open and unaffected by the greenway.
The off-road motorcycle community does not oppose the greenway itself. But it is imperative for us to keep our only legal riding area in the state.
During the seven-month riding season, hundreds of riders visit the trail bike area each week. This brings revenue to Thomaston businesses as riders visit gas stations, convenience stores, and restaurants in town. Town businesses would lose this revenue if the trail bike area is disrupted.

Riders are contacting state and local politicians to ask for their help in this effort.

Riders will be present at the following public comment sessions to voice their concerns and request that the trail bike area not be disturbed: