ATV road-use movement gains traction in county

The Belgium Plan Commission last week recommended that the town allow all-terrain vehicles and utility terrain vehicles on town roads, and the Town of Port Washington will consider the same measure in July.

The Port Washington Town Board will hold a public hearing on the issue at 7 p.m.  Tuesday, July 5, before the board’s 7:30 p.m. monthly meeting.

Town Chairman Mike Didier said he has heard more positive comments about the proposed ordinance than negative ones since the Lakeshore ATV/UTV Club asked the Town Board to approve an ordinance allowing these recreational vehicles to use town roads last month.

The Town of Fredonia last year became the first township in the county to allow the use of these vehicles on town roads.

Since then, the club has approached other communities seeking to adopt similar ordinances in the hope they can someday have a connected trail they can drive on. 

The Lakeshore ATV/UTV Club was started in the Town of Belgium two years ago and has about 100 members from throughout the northern end of the county, Bob Hubing, a member of the club’s road route committee, told the Town Board last month.

“We’re family oriented,” he said. “It’s a great pastime for the elderly.”

The club is asking the Town Board to approve an ordinance that would open all town roads and county or state roads where the speed limit is 35 mph or less.

There are a limited number of town roads that meet the classification in the Town of Port, Didier noted.

Under the proposed ordinance, drivers could only operate on the paved portions of roads but must stay to the “extreme right” side of the road unless making a left turn. Groups would be required to ride in single file.

Riders younger than 18 would be required to wear helmets. Operators younger than 16 must be “in direct verbal supervision of a parent or legal guardian” while driving an ATV or UTV.

Some people have questioned the safety, officials said, but club members noted that these vehicles typically have roll cages and seat belts. They generally don’t travel at speeds exceeding 45 mph, they said, noting the ordinance only allows them on roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less.

“We’re trying to promote safety in the use of ATVs,” one member said. 

Noise is another concern that’s been raised, one club member said.

“A Harley is noisier,” he noted. 

It’s not uncommon to see ATVs and UTVs on town road, officials said. Didier noted that these vehicles are currently allowed on town and county roads if they are licensed as farm vehicles.

Many others ride their vehicles on the roads even though they are prohibited, Supr. Greg Welton noted.

“You’re just making what they’re doing legal,” he said.

Eventually, club members said, they may approach municipalities and perhaps the county to approve links between the town routes.