OSHKOSH (NBC 26) — The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors has approved new requirements for ATV and UTV use on county roads with a 26-5 vote.
NBC 26 was there, with exclusive coverage on the decision.
The amended ordinance includes several new rules for riders. Operators must be 16 or older, have a valid driver's license, and carry liability insurance. ATVs and UTVs must drive single file, and operators must wear seatbelts if their vehicles have them.
Speed limits have also changed, as operators were once limited to 35 miles per hour regardless of posted signage. Now, ATV and UTV operators are allowed to go above that threshold, as long as they follow the speed limit posted for the roads they are on.
Additional requirements include working mufflers to reduce noise and helmets for riders under 18.
The full amendments to the ordinance are below.
Notably, the board also removed time restrictions that previously limited riding to daylight hours only.
"They're able to handle being out at night. And all of our counties around us? Have all gone 24/7. And have opened their county roads," said Dave Schmidt, Winnebago County ATV/UTV Alliance Chairman.
The meeting saw strong support from ATV and UTV enthusiasts, citing the economic benefit for the county.
"Five point four three billion dollars are spent annually and over 39,000 jobs were direct results of the ATV/UTV industry in Wisconsin," said Gail Haag of Larsen.
But not everyone supported the changes. Some supervisors expressed safety concerns about the vehicles on paved roads.
"ATVs are dangerous when you start running those on hard surface roads over 35 miles per hour," said Chuck Farrey, District 30 Supervisor.
Farrey proposed an amendment for ATVs to have speed limits capped at 35 miles per hour, but it was voted down after discussion with Winnebago County Sheriffs about how those speeds would be enforced alongside other traffic.
Others opposed the changes entirely, with one representative speaking on behalf of the City of Neenah. "Their board is not being in favor of this."
Regardless, it was still passed as presented.
Enforcement of the new rules begins immediately—after the ordinance is officially published. Winnebago County officials say they will review the ordinance again in one year.
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