ATV Advocates Warn —

Don’t Fix A Problem That Doesn’t Exist

By John Voket

They probably won’t be revving their engines, but a local off-road enthusiast is hoping ATV riders who are facing ordinance restrictions in Newtown will show up to a public hearing next Wednesday to make some noise in opposition. And another Newtown resident, who owns a major off-road motorsports dealership, thinks all ATV operators would be better served by establishing a sanctioned riding area instead of an ordinance banning all public use of the recreational vehicles.

Both Kevin O’Neill, founder of NOHVA (Newtown Off-Highway Vehicle Association) and Rick Erickson, president of RER Motor City of Monroe, believe the officials’ concerns about ATVs running roughshod over town open space, ball fields, parks and trails, might be better served by helping to educate the general public about riding responsibly.

Francis Pennarola, chairman of the Newtown Legislative Council’s Ordinance Committee, said he would like to see the use of off-road motorcycles and three or four-wheel (quad) ATVs completely prohibited in town.

“I’ve received a fair amount of correspondence from citizens in support of an all-out ban,” Mr Pennarola said. He acknowledged that there have been no particular incidents that inspired the proposed ordinance, which may be accepted by the Legislative Council following the 6:45 pm public hearing on the proposal August 18.

Fortunately, there have been no significant incidents involving the death or serious injury of dirt bike or ATV riders in Newtown recently, Mr Pennarola said. But in Derby, a 16-year-old ATV operator was killed March 30 after reportedly being thrown from his machine while police say he was operating with a passenger on board — a practice Mr Erickson said is vehemently discouraged in all literature and safety instructions related to riding.

The tragic ATV crash in Derby resulted in the local ambulance corps establishing a safe riding program in town.

As recently as August 10, the Canton, Conn., police reported a similar incident where two riders were thrown from an ATV when it hit a curb while operating on a town road. Neither of the riders were wearing a helmet, and one was injured seriously.

In Shelton, a recent patrol of public land was conducted by a team of local police who were joined by state Department of Environmental Protection officers. That patrol resulted in several citations being issued for illegally operating on public land, according to Deputy Chief Joel Hulimann. That community has also stepped up response to complaints of ATVs driving on city roadways, a practice that has resulted in the vehicles being impounded according to Detective Sergeant Michael Madden.

Despite the dozens of reports involving the illegal operation of ATVs, and the deaths or injuries that have resulted, both Mr O’Neill and Mr Erickson say the trouble lies with a minority of riders. Mr Erickson said when he sells the speedy quads and motocross cycles through his dealership, he advises buyers about the risks involved with the improper operation, as well as providing them with information on where they might ride legally.

“Unfortunately there’s only one small public racing track for ATVs that I know of in Connecticut, and it’s in Rocky Hill,” said Mr Erickson. “The state also permits off road cycles only on property near the Thomaston Dam, but that’s about it.”

He lamented the fact that the State of Massachusetts derives a significant amount of revenue from riders who pay to access hundreds of miles of sanctioned trails and fields. “This means customers may drive an hour north, buy their bike or ATV there, save themselves the six percent sales tax, pay an extra $25, and get handed a map directing them to miles and miles of open trails where they are welcome,” Mr Erickson said.

Mr O’Neill believes ATV riders may provide a substantial source of revenue to Newtown, if the community established a sanctioned riding area, and used the revocation of access permits as the penalty for riding elsewhere in town illegally.

“If the town wants to regulate ATV and off road bike use, they should also be prepared to create a riding area with admission by permit sticker only,” Mr O’Neill suggested. “When the town collects the fees, they could turn it around to help offset the cost of Parks and Recreation activities.”

He believes there are several locations in town that would be perfect for either year-round or seasonal riding.

“I know in a few years the town will have to close the landfill,” Mr O’Neill said. “This may provide an excellent future site for ATV riders, it’s already fenced, there is earth moving equipment there, and I can’t think of anyone who would want to build a commercial or residential development there.”

He also suggested the town sanction an area within the Fairfield Hills property for winter riding.

“Once the ground is frozen, you can ride without doing any damage,” he said.

Mr O’Neill noted that most of the serious injuries or deaths occurred because of either improper use of the vehicles (riding with one or more passengers) or riding on public roadways, which is illegal by state statute.

“I started NOHVA to show community leaders there are responsible ways to use these vehicles,” Mr O’Neill said. “I have a particular issue with parents who provide their children with these ATVs thinking they are sophisticated toys, and don’t require the kids to have any training. That’s a recipe for death.”

To an extent, Mr Erickson agrees. “It’s a few bad apples ruining it for everyone.”

Mr Erickson has been an off-road rider for many years, and has a modest track on his property in Newtown. He said his 15 and 16-year-old sons, and his 11-year-old daughter ride regularly, year round.

Mr O’Neill said he has a small track around his property where he practices regularly. Besides being the proud owner of a collector’s piece, a 1973 Honda XR75 — the first off-road import bike ever sold in America, he has received recognition for competing in an amateur Motocross competition at Bridgeport’s Harbor Yard Arena.

“Ever since I was a kid I’ve loved the sport,” Mr O’Neill recalled. “So when I heard about the proposed ordinance I couldn’t keep my mouth shut. Between this ATV ordinance, and the possibility of a town-wide noise ordinance, it appears Newtown officials are taking a multi-step effort to fix an unsubstantiated problem.”