ATV Wisconsin Rapids,
This November there will be an item on the ballot that we must really look close at. The item is if we want a new ordinance that WILL ALLOW ATV's on ANY ROAD in Wisconsin Rapids. Of course that will only be our quiet neighborhoods because it is against state law to allow ATV's on any state highway. I have many questions on this and have been told that they want to be able to drive there ATV's to the ATV paths. That confuses me because how do they get to the ATV areas now? What they want to do is make our city residential streets into an ATV play zone! My opinion is that I do not want ATV's running up and down my street and to make it worse these ATV's are not made to drive around automobiles, they don't have the proper equipment like bumpers, air bags etc. The can also be driven by unlicensed 16 year olds and ATV's don't need to carry insurance. This means that if you do not have comp on your vehicle and get into an accident.. YOU LOSE, what 16yr olds do you know will have enough money to fix your vehicle?
Another concern for all of us is IF the ordinance passes then ALL of our auto insurance will go up because of the threat of uninsured ATV's on the road. I do not believe that the city is going to pick up our increase in insurance.
Below you'll find the State Of Wisconsin law pertaining to ATV's
Law and rules from the Wisconsin ATV page.
Wisconsin requires ATVs to have a registration, but riders do not have to carry insurance — unlike with a regular motorcycle or automobile.
All ATVs in Wisconsin must be registered with the state's Department of Natural Resources. Wisconsin issues riders two decals that have to be displayed on the front and back of ATVs. Additionally, riders have to attach a license plate to the rear of their vehicles.
In most cases, ATVs aren't allowed on public roads, but it can depend on the laws of local jurisdictions. While there is no requirement for drivers to get ATV insurance, it can be useful to have if you're ever involved in an accident. Insurance would cover damage to your ATV and provide coverage for any other damage you cause.
What is Wisconsin's ATV helmet law? ATV drivers and passengers in Wisconsin must wear a helmet if they're under 18 years old. There are some exceptions, though. Drivers and passengers who are 12 and older and traveling to fish or hunt can bypass this rule, and people riding on private property owned by an immediate family member don't have to wear a helmet.
In Wisconsin, you're not required to have a driver's license to operate an ATV. However, anyone driving an ATV must have a safety certification card in order to be compliant with Wisconsin's ATV laws. Furthermore, Wisconsin doesn't allow children under 12 years old to ride ATVs except under certain circumstances:
They must be accompanied by a parent or a legal guardian.
They may only drive on off-road ATV trails.
They're not allowed to drive on frozen surface waters.
A helmet must be worn at all times.
The ATV must be registered.
The maximum engine size of the ATV is 90 cubic centimeters (cc).
In closing it also looks like a 12year old can drive an ATV, do we really want this on our city streets! Also ATV's are made for OFF ROAD travel and they are a lot of fun if used the right way! And one scary thought, if someone loses their license because of drunk driving, they can probably drive on our streets because a license isn't required! If this was a small rural town then it might be okay BUT in a city the size of Wisconsin Rapids VOTE NO!!!!