Wasilla ponders ATV restrictions

WASILLA — With mounting pressure to address the use and abuse of all-terrain vehicles inside city limits, the Wasilla City Council on Monday will discuss the results of a survey it conducted about possible solutions.

“We have had quite a few people who have called us, and quite a few people coming to the council meetings, saying this four-wheeler thing has to stop,” said Councilwoman Dianne Woodruff, the council member who introduced the survey. “I thought we should see what the pulse of the public is.”

For herself, Woodruff admits there is a problem, but would hate to see ATVs be banned outright. She said she knows most people are responsible riders, but the few who do not respect the laws of the city or property of others have the potential to ruin it for everyone.

City code restricting off-road vehicles inside city limits are relatively strict. It is only lawful to operate an off-road vehicle on a city street rights-of-way but not on roads or sidewalks. Drivers must be over 16 years old unless accompanied by a parent or guardian or in possession of a motorcycle permit. Lights and helmets are required, and the speed limit inside residential and business areas is 10 mph.

Parents are responsible if they knowingly allow or do not take reasonable precautions to prevent violations by children younger than 18.

The laws are not the problem, Woodruff said, it’s enforcement. Police have stepped up their efforts, but there is only so much they can do with limited resources, she said.

Woodruff said she would like to see identifying numbers visible on every ATV. This way, she said, “When someone goes zipping by at 70 mph, you have a way to report them to the police.”

Education should be another priority, she said. People need to be better informed of the laws, and parents need to be aware of the risk ATVs present to their children, Woodruff said.

“I would really hate to see (ATVs banned in the city),” she said. “I really wish the ATV community would police itself so we don’t have to get to that point.”

To gauge the public, Woodruff proposed the survey that was posted to the city’s website on Aug. 24. In the ensuing 60 days, 140 people responded to the 10 questions asking their thoughts on age limits, training, education, registration and identification required to operate ATVs.

Of the 140 respondents, 70 percent identified themselves as ATV owners. The majority were between 30 and 60 years old, and almost all live in the city limits or the greater Wasilla area.

As far as age limits, 43 percent said 15 years old should be the minimum age for riders. Another 21 percent said there should be no age limit, and 17 percent said there should be no age limit so long as the rider is a licensed driver.

The vote was split over requiring an educational course for riders: 45 percent said yes, 46 percent said no, and 9 percent were undecided.

There were similar results for registration requirements: 48 percent said no registration should be necessary, and the same amount agreed with some combination of state and city registration.

In another category, 54 percent said identification visible from at least 50 feet away is not necessary, but 40 percent said a license plate or other identifying marks should be required.

The majority said there is enough enforcement of the existing laws, and 35 percent said enforcement should be stepped up even given the associated costs.

The 10 mph speed limit was just right for 65 percent of respondents, but 25 percent thought it should be increased, and 10 percent thought it should go down.

The last question got right to the heart of the matter. It asked respondents if the city should ban ATVs inside city limits, but not on private property. The survey showed 14 percent said they should be completely banned, and 31 percent said they should only be allowed on designated trails; 15 percent supported restrictions not listed on the survey, and 40 percent said ATV use throughout the city should not be restricted.

“This is not a scientific survey,” Woodruff said, urging people who did not respond to come to the city council meeting on Monday. “I want to hear from both sides. I want to know what they think are possible solutions.”

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.

8%…………..61 - 70 years

1%…………..71+ years

30%…………Yes, within City limits

4%…………..No, Alaska resident

70%…………Yes

30%………….No

43%…………Yes, a minimum age of 15

19%…………Other

45%………..Yes

46%…………No

9%…………Undecided

4%…………..Undecided

54%…………No

11%…………Undecided

25%…………Increased

10%…………Decreased

65%…………Remain the same