ATV Regulations

[Biggerfish]

I'm not quite sure where to go for county regulations?

I know laws vary from county to county. I will be going to Cook County for vacation next month and was wondering if it will be worth it to bring the 4 wheeler? I usally only drive on private property. Any help out there?

[Dave]

Google "Cook County ATV Club".. That should get ya started. Plus, I found these articles....

ATVs allowed on streets

Cook County News-Herald

Last Updated: Thursday, July 06th, 2006 10:29:35 AM

Bill Neil

Staff writer

Operators of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) can continue to legally ride their machines on the city streets of Grand Marais after city councilors last Wednesday dropped their pursuit of an ordinance to restrict or limit the practice.

Councilor Ed Bolstad, who has spearheaded the effort to put an ATV ordinance in the books, presented audience members and fellow councilors with an outline of an ordinance he said he’d like to see. Bolstad said that following the discussion, he planned on making a motion to set a public hearing as the first step in designing and adopting a “fair and reasonable” ordinance.

True to his word, Bolstad did make such a motion. But there was no support and it died for lack of a second.

The discussion began with a review of the results of a survey compiled by City Administrator Mike Roth, who was instructed by council in May to gather information on how other cities regulate ATV travel. Roth said he contacted nine small cities in the state, and there was a variety of rules and regulations.

For instance, some impose speed limits; hours of legal operation; ban travel within 150 yards of a recreation area, church or dwelling; prohibit the chasing or running over of animals; and specify how the ATVs must be outfitted (mufflers, brakes, lights, etc.).

Bolstad said he believes local ATVers want additional privileges “above what exists for all citizens,” and said an ordinance is needed before the city has a “crisis” with unregulated and unwanted ATV travel and parking on its streets. He suggested, among other things, that there be no ATV use south of Highway 61, no use on trails or public property, limited hours of use and a speed limit of 15 mph.

Councilor Bob Spry argued that there is no problem with ATV traffic, and said he therefore sees no need to add more laws to the books. “We don’t close down the highway just because someone drives crazy,” he said. “We should just leave it alone until — and if — it becomes a problem,” he added.

Other colleagues apparently agreed, and there was no second to Bolstad’s motion to schedule a hearing in preparation for ordinance adoption.

The non-support effectively ends a debate that began early this year when the ATV Club requested council to consider adopting an ordinance allowing ATVs to operate on city streets. After reviewing state statutes and rules regarding ATVs, the city attorney reported that it is not entirely clear what the rules for ATV use in the city are, while the ATV Club, citing DNR regulations, contended that street use was legal as long as there was no ordinance against it.

The Cook County sheriff agreed with the ATV Club, and told the city that if it wants regulation or restriction of ATV traffic, it will be necessary to pass an ordinance.

Lutsen supports ATV use on all county roads

Cook County News-Herald

Last Updated: Thursday, July 06th, 2006 10:30:59 AM

Nancye Belding

West End correspondent

Lutsen supervisors voted unanimously last month to allow ATV use on the shoulders of “any and all county roads, in a safe and licensed manner.”

“Give these folks a place to ride,” said Chair Brad Ludlow. “Responsible ATV riding on the shoulder is no more dangerous than any other use.”

He asked Clerk Cathryn Hanson to write a letter to that effect to Commissioner Jan Hall, who is chairing a joint committee on county road ATV use.

“We are looking at where to allow use, not to prohibit it,” Commissioner Bruce Martinson said, adding that a lower speed limit for ATVs would probably be part of a county plan.

Sheriff Mark Falk said the county would have to sign any roads that allowed ATV use.