Off-Road ATVs Don't Stay Off Roads
Riders, Communities Working On Getting ATVs Back On Track
POSTED: 10:47 p.m. EDT April 25, 2003
ST. ALBANS, Vt. -- There's a group that's trying to get riders of all-terrain vehicles on the right track. The group is fighting for more trails for ATVs, especially in Franklin County, Vt., where police have noticed a problem -- too many ATV's showing up on main roads.
Dealer David Rabtoy said the four-wheelers are becoming increasingly popular.
"I've got one family that has five (ATVs)," Rabtoy said. "We see a lot of parents that have them, that are buying them for their kids to be able to ride as a family," Rabtoy said.
But that popularity is causing problems in places like Vermont's Franklin County where there are more ATVs, but not more places to ride them.
"The ATV use on public highways is very prevalent, and it's increasing on a year to year basis," said Franklin County Sheriff Robert Norris.
Norris said one of the problem spots is downtown Highgate. Neighbors and businessmen said ATV operators ride on the roadways, even doing wheelies, and making a lot of noise.
But Jerry Wolfenbarger said his club -- part of the Vermont ATV Sportsman Association -- is trying to teach everyone the rules of the road.
"We've taken a lot of those bad seeds and got them into the club, shown them safe places to ride ATVs, and they're not riding on roads as much as they used to," Wolfenbarger said.
Some roads -- like Route 374 near Plattsburgh -- where ATV traffic became so bad, the town posted signs prohibiting their use.
But on secondary roads in Bakersfield, for example, ATVs are allowed at reduced speeds. And Wolfenbarger's club is also trying to create legal ATV trails around the county.
For more information about ATVs, you can visit the following Web sites:
www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/atv-tip.htm
www.ncaa-inc.com
www.vtvasa.org
Riders, Communities Working On Getting ATVs Back On Track
POSTED: 10:47 p.m. EDT April 25, 2003
ST. ALBANS, Vt. -- There's a group that's trying to get riders of all-terrain vehicles on the right track. The group is fighting for more trails for ATVs, especially in Franklin County, Vt., where police have noticed a problem -- too many ATV's showing up on main roads.
Dealer David Rabtoy said the four-wheelers are becoming increasingly popular.
"I've got one family that has five (ATVs)," Rabtoy said. "We see a lot of parents that have them, that are buying them for their kids to be able to ride as a family," Rabtoy said.
But that popularity is causing problems in places like Vermont's Franklin County where there are more ATVs, but not more places to ride them.
"The ATV use on public highways is very prevalent, and it's increasing on a year to year basis," said Franklin County Sheriff Robert Norris.
Norris said one of the problem spots is downtown Highgate. Neighbors and businessmen said ATV operators ride on the roadways, even doing wheelies, and making a lot of noise.
But Jerry Wolfenbarger said his club -- part of the Vermont ATV Sportsman Association -- is trying to teach everyone the rules of the road.
"We've taken a lot of those bad seeds and got them into the club, shown them safe places to ride ATVs, and they're not riding on roads as much as they used to," Wolfenbarger said.
Some roads -- like Route 374 near Plattsburgh -- where ATV traffic became so bad, the town posted signs prohibiting their use.
But on secondary roads in Bakersfield, for example, ATVs are allowed at reduced speeds. And Wolfenbarger's club is also trying to create legal ATV trails around the county.
For more information about ATVs, you can visit the following Web sites:
www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/atv-tip.htm
www.ncaa-inc.com
www.vtvasa.org
Weekend Warrior
This ended up being a very good news story about ATV riding in Vermont.
I was very happy to talk to them about the good part of ATV riding in Vermont....
Thanks for posting the news story...
Jerry
I was very happy to talk to them about the good part of ATV riding in Vermont....
Thanks for posting the news story...
Jerry