Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on February 27, 2007, to allow counties in the northern part of the state to allow off road vehicles (ORV's) to be driven on the "far right side" of the road surface (and probably the shoulders) of some or all streets and roads, as determined by the county commission. The bill does not specify posting requirements. ORVs (which includes off-road motorcycles) could not exceed 25 mph when using a road

The vote was 107 in favor, 0 opposed and 3 not voting

(House Roll Call 53 at House Journal 27)

Click here to view bill details.

While some may see this bill as being supportive of ORV growth, it actually provides very necessary regulation for quads in northern Michigan. Pro-ORV or anti-ORV, this bill makes sense unless you're those people that lets their kids terrorize northern Michigan on these machines. This bill needs to pass if only to provide some badly needed regulations.

There's alot of local people who have buggies they would like to ride to there neighbors, but can't because of exisiting laws against it...

Did it ever occur to those people who want to ride their ATVs "to the neighbor's" that they could just as well walk? And that it would be better for them if they did? What this bill would do, if passed, is make Michigan even more hostile to unmotorized traffic -- pedestrians and bicyclists -- than it already is. I really don't think that's progress.

i'm sure there is lots of room at the wal-mart parking lot for all the horses and buggies.

Kind of late for this legislation aren't we?! Drive through Houghton Lake or Cadillac on a snowy weekend, the ORV's and snowmobiles are all over the roads....they park right next to you at the gas station....and now you want to pass legislation to give them permission....deny the law, they'll do it anyways.

Maybe you people should look at the state ourt state is in. This bill would be a wonderful step in furthering our tourist industry. As for the snowmobiles in the gas station and on the road egdes.....BE THANKFUL They bring millions of dollars into the state as would allowing ORV's. Maybe you should explore the world others enjoy and broaden your horizons. Just as walking may be great for you, ORVing can be wonderful and enjoyable for others.

“Open your mind … Just as walking may be great for you, ORVing can be wonderful and enjoyable for others.” So says a supporter of this bill. It is quite true that “ORVing can be wonderful and enjoyable.” But ORV fans need to open their minds and understand the impact their pleasure can have on the enjoyment of those who prefer to walk a few yards down the road to visit their neighbors. Walkers have little impact on others. Vehicles of all kinds, by virtue of their greater size and speed have a huge impact on pedestrians in any shared space. In an era when we fret about public health issues stemming from obesity and lack of exercise, it makes sense to adopt laws and regulations that would encourage rather than discourage pedestrian activity. Walking has a many well known positive effects on health. Michigan is a notably pedestrian-unfriendly place. It makes poor sense to propose and pass laws to aggravate rather than mitigate that condition. We also might be surprised what pedestrians will contribute to the economy if we welcome them and their activity.

is a big part of what makes michigan 'pedestrian unfriendly'. walking IS good for you, walking in most parts of michigan is FOOLISH.

I would walk to the neighbors if I could!

is it TOO FAR? are the (mostly dirt) roads UNSAFE? is it far too cold most of the year to expose yourself for that amount of time? are the ditches on the side of the road too deep?

Oh yeah, I'm so sure that letting people ride their ORV's on the side of the road I going to make people obese because they don't walk to their neighbors house, I mean get real!, if you are going to complain about people riding ORV's on the side of the road and then becoming obese because they don’t walk, why don’t you complain to the fast food companies who are making most of our country's people obese!! Plus, if your neighbors house is that far away you would use your car to get to their house if this law wasn't enacted, but if we use ORV's, which produce less greenhouse gasses than cars, we will be helping to prevent global warming in a small way, so now you take the time to think about what I wrote before you reply because there are many other things you can fight against in this country other than letting ORV's ride on the side of the road, which, if enacted, could also help Michigan's economy. One last note, most people who obey laws and ride ORV's won't pose any threat to drivers or pedestrians because THEY USE THEIR BRAINS WHEN RIDING!!!! Take Ogemaw county for instance, they haven't had any trouble with ORV's on the side of the road. ORV’s can pose as much of a threat as pedestrians walking/riding their bicycles on the side of the road so why don’t you argue about that!!

How come the riders that race our in great shape? Because riding is more of a work out then walking anyday. The bill is great, not to ride on the side of the roads to just do it. But great to get to the other trail systems that you cant get to for other trails. This state has alot to offer and ATV's have alot to bring. For the Snowmobiles, some small towns wouldnt be here if it wasnt for the snowmoblie. Thank You

This bill only legalizes what is already happening in most of northern Michigan. The ATVs are already on the roads! This bill applies some common sense restrictions on ATVs that anyone with half a brain would support. I suppose that's why it passed the House 107-0 after being reported out of committee 11-0. The left-wing enviornmentalists and right-wing anti-government people voted for this bill sponsored by the most moderate legislator in the House. This bill isn't about whether ATVs are a good thing. But, it does recognize that they're not going away anytime soon. As one person posted above, it's too bad it takes Lansing such a long time to respond to what's happening outside the capital.

It would give a real boost to industry and promote tourism. The pro's are gas savings for responsible individuals, great exercise and just maybe you would check on the neighbors that need checking on..

If your FAT you have two choices, walk or ride. If your a rider you have one. Seems like Uncle Sam is trying to regulate another part of everybodys lives. Dont be suprised in the future if our President is a little guy with a funny little moustash and tall black boots. Its time we all stand up and say Were not going to take it anymore.

We were two years getting our County Board to approve an ATV/ORV road use ordinance. We have the tightest and most restrifctive ordiinance in the area...speed, travel interval, and even hours of the day and night. All the gloom and doom sayers predicted accidents and all sorts of safety issues. WE HAVE NOT HAD ONE INCIDENT OF AN ATV AND AND AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT IN OUR COUNTY SINCE THE ORDINAQNDE WAS PASSED 2 YEARS AGO! Furthermore, there has been no shoulder erosion due to ATV's reported by our County Road Commission. Giving our law enfordcement people an ordinande to enforce has eliminated many problems....at times a good law is better than no law. Nowe comes the challenge to take the county's jurisdiction regarding ATV/ORVs away from them? Here in northern Michigan, we need tourism and ATVs are becoming big tourist items....they are comparatively cheap to run and get people into our beautiful back country. We subscribe to the "tread lightly" creed and discourage the hot dogs from tearing up the forest trails. Our club has responsibility to maintain two DNR sandctioned trails and we intend to see that they are safe and well patroled, but folks need to access these trails and get to lodging, food, and fuel. Michigan is far b ehind Minnesota andWisconsin in ATV trail development and promotion. Let's get with it!

I'm guessing you have never gotten on a quad or dirt bike and rode on trails before. It takes a lot more work to ride on a ORV then you think on the trails. Plus, how many people do you think have friends that live down the road a few houses and still drive their? You are already blaming people of being lazy when you dont know for a fact people are going to do that. People aren't going to just ride their ORV's over to their neighbors house. People are going to use their ORV's for recreation. This is something also something our economy needs badly, since our economy isn't doing so great.

I think its great for people whohaveproperty spread outwhereyouhavetotakeroads to get to it. If this passedI know Icanuntilize more of our property because it would be more accesable.

You can't blame Mcdonalds or ORVs for making people fat. People get fat 2 ways, either they eat too much or there is a medical reason. Macdonalds never shoved a cheesburger down my throat. Last time I checked, you have to go there and buy it yourself. Too many people in this day are quick to allow government regulation.

kids started getting fat when we started telling them that it is too dangerous to ride a bike without a helmet, play dodgeball, touch football tag, etc. Now they sit around playing xibox and get fat and we want the nanny government to fix it. We the sheeple have become ignorant, feminized and lazy and will give away all our rights for a big mac, 150 cable channels and a video game. We are doomed and being fat ain't the problem.

to beware the ORV/ATVs when riding his bike. that's why i this bill is a bad idea.

to beware the ATV/ORVs when he rides his bike. that's why i think this bill is a bad idea.

As a businessman in Northern Michigan, I welcome this bill. Without tourism most of us could not afford to live here. For years snowmobilers have helped us to survive. I'm sure ORVers would give us a much needed boost to our economy. Not to mention the millions of extra dollars for the state of Michigan from tax revenue and trail permits. We welcome ORV riders here with open arms!

who seeks quiet recreation, i can safely say that businesses in your county won't be getting any of my money if you permit ATV/ORVs to run on your roads.

If this is passed I will be able to spend my $$ up north y utilizing my atv's responsibly with my family. We have a place in Gladwin and will spend more money there and other counties if this recreational opportunity is granted. Thank you

snowmobiles are not orv's, and are allowed on the extreme right of way of roads....weather permitting.....

I know from going up north my buddies and I like to ride to a spot we can gas up and have lunch or dinner. By passing this we have many more opportunities to go to other places. We will do more riding and spend more cash if we can ride to and from a hotel/motel and restarants etc. This bill makes sense and allows people to do things legal. This is common sense in my opinon especially in a state that needs cash.

In my opinion, ORV's provide great exercise. One try at riding the Michigan trail system 50-100 miles on a two wheeled bike for your first time and you see what I mean. Most people are too sore to walk the next day and see how out of shape they really are. It is one awesome sweaty and continuous aerobic workout.

Most people do not drive the ORV on the roadside for simple transportation. This is being way blown out of proportion and is not really fun anyway. The Michigan trail system is awesome and that is where we want to be. There are times where it becomes necessary to ride the road. Emergencies, to get to a station for gas, food or water. Many times one needs to get back to camp fighting rain or darkness or to get a rescue vehicle. The trail may be 20 miles and dangerous, while the road 2 miles and safe. 20 miles on the trail can take up to 2 hours for some. Without this law we must stay off the road or get ticketed.

I was just thinking this morning of the kids that only play video games or say "There's nothing to do, I'm bored". How many of them turn into couch potatoes, get fat, or even turn to drugs for recreation? I was thinking about how much of this was the fault of the parents and their child rearing techniques. Restricting ORV use in Michigan only makes it harder to enjoy this sport. Parents as voters need to think of this and get more involved with their children. ORV use is highly recreational, motivating, interactive, and time consuming. Yes, it is a family event, especially with the MCCC organization http://www.cycleconservationclub.org/index.htm. Let the restriction ease in order to promote healthy and energetic activity among our youth. Adults, you too could probably use some of this activity. When is the last time you rode a bicycle to the neighborhood store(without a helmet even)?

get tough. if you can't drive your ORV on a designated trail for a few miles in the rain, what are you doing out there in the first place? this legislation is not needed and not desireable. it merely panders to a well heeled special interest. business as usual.

i wonder if you were to ask the business owners in the northern states, i am betting they are for it. if you own a business in the northern lower or in the upper why would you NOT want potential customers coming in for gas, food, parts, beverages, or just an ice cream, i think it would be great for commerce.

families that play together stay together.

I cant walk to any distance but I can ride my atv and get to parts of the outdoors that I would never see again If it were not for my atv.

we all deal with disabilities and difficulties of one kind or another. most (or at least a large minority) of us do not expect the State to make life easier for us.

if this bill becomes law and your county allows ORVs to run on its roads, your local businesses will have seen the last tourista dollar moving from my pocket to theirs. the economic argument cuts both ways. many folks prefer peace and quiet, and don't enjoy having the space they are in invaded by wheeled locusts.

We have a 38' Toyhauler. I would stay in FAR more Campgrounds if we could ride to the trail heads. Some are within 1 or 2 miles but yet I would have to trailer our quads to get there. Therefore we never use campgrounds get gas or go to restaurants in the area. We run north 1 or 2 weekends a month. But if we plan on a week of riding we go out of state where we can ride to get the supplys we need.Say yes Michigan Lord know's we can use the money orv's would bring in if we could just get around.

"have seen the last tourista dollar moving from my pocket to theirs" My guess is that you don't spend much on your bird watching excursions anyhow. I would rather have 10 fun loving, money spending, freedom loving 4 wheelers in my business than 100 bird watching, tree hugging contol freaks that just want to sit in the woods and count sparrows.

Amen!