Jumbo ATVs raise concerns
Times Union
June 10, 2014
The Associated Press
Larger off-road vehicles would be allowed on New York's public trails under legislation advancing in the state Assembly, which has raised an alarm among environmentalists who say it will lead to more erosion and pollution.
Bill sponsors disagree and say that raising the weight limit from 1,000 to 1,500 pounds for state-registered all-terrain vehicles will put safer, slower machines on trails and roads, while providing more people with access to public land. The width limit would remain 70 inches.
"It's going to allow a different type of riding," said Assemblywoman Addie Russell, a Watertown Democrat. It would permit registration of all-terrain vehicles with side-by-side seating designed for up to three people and with seat belts and rollover bars.
The bill has been approved by the Assembly transportation and codes committees.
The Adirondack Council and other environmental groups have asked Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to block the bill.
"The state already suffers from the severe problem of ATV riders trespassing and damaging public and private lands," said Neil Woodworth, executive director of the Adirondack Mountain Club.
He said the heavier vehicles would add to problems created by what he termed as "an out-of-control situation presented by the current misuse of smaller ATVs
