Jake, there is room for all types of beach activities down there. There are plenty of non-4x4 beaches to hit for people who want that, there are places that are better for fishing or better for kiting. I actually rarely cross paths with the fisherman and the picture you see is not typical as BWD noted. Those are cars crammed around one point. Everywhere else things are much more spread out AND on a windy day, most of the beach goers are not there. For whatever reason, it always seems to work out that everyone has room for the activity of choice (surf, fish, windsurf, sunbathe, kite, whatever) and its rare that people butt heads. The fisherman will congest around a good point or trough, and that's fine. Keeps all the hooks in one area.
I'm not familiar with that argument you're throwing up about speeding drivers running over your kite lines and your kids. I just don't see that out there. Yeah, every once in a while somebody goes by too fast but the people seem more considerate, there is a low speed limit, and the police monitor it. I don't want my right to park on the sand taken away because another guy is driving too fast. If that becomes a common hazard in OBX than it can be addressed. Right now its just an invalid argument you're lobbing from Texas. It doesn't make sense. If I feel my kids are at risk to get hit by a car (I don't) I or anyone else can go to one of the many other beach areas where cars are not allowed. As I said above, it really is pretty simple and the current configuration handles whatever kind of access you need.
BWD, some compromise in there makes a lot of sense. I agree. The periodic closures they have now are only an inconvenience and don't block much access. Heck, if they just made it a sailing only beach there'd be a lot more room for the birds.
Asking for petition signatures form non-locals is a valid request. Tourists travel to OBX for that beach access, so it is important to demonstrate the impact that could be felt on tourism.