Oshkosh explores an ordinance to allow ATV/UTVs on city streets

OSHKOSH, Wis. (WISS) – At its last meeting, the Oshkosh Common Council discussed a possible ordinance that would allow ATV and UTVs to operate on city streets.

Council member Kris Larson brought the issue forward as an attempt to “cash in” on the tourism and recreation dollars for Oshkosh.

Pros: Tourism & Recreation

“ I’ve traveled the state with the restaurant association and have seen how well this works in places that do allow it,” Larson said. “(Winnebago) County voted about two months ago to open up all roads in the county. So it’s coming our direction no matter what. Lots of the state already does this. This is a $5 billion economic impact in the state of Wisconsin. And my sort of catchy thing I keep saying is, ‘I’m tired of watching these dollars literally drive around us,’ because currently they drive around us. And they don’t come here.”

Wisconsin statutes allow local counties and municipalities to enact ordinances regulating ATV/UTV operation on trails and roadways that have a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less.

Council member DJ Nichols said ATV and UTVs operate on streets the same way that motorcycles do, and prohibiting them is counterintuitive.

“ I don’t see a reason why they’re banned other than people decided they should be banned. And so I’m supportive of getting rid of our ban on these on city streets and allowing them on city roads from a recreational aspect, from a tourism aspect, and from the fact that I don’t see how this is any different than a motorcycle, which, of course, are allowed on our roads,” he said.

Nichols also said allowing them would benefit Oshkosh businesses.

“People in Oshkosh could drive these things and get to the county roads where they’re more likely to drive them. They could also come back, they could stop at bars and restaurants in Oshkosh, and help our local businesses,” Nichols added.

Cons: ATV Safety

Mayor Matt Mugerauer said ATVs and UTVs are not designed for paved roads. He also doesn’t see the advantage of allowing them on the streets.

“ There’s a reason that there is a huge increase in crashes when it comes to off-road vehicles that get put onto roadways because they have higher centers of gravity and other design features that just weren’t built for concrete and asphalt,” Mugerauer debated. “I just don’t think that the tourism side of this is a thing for us. We don’t have, there’s no draw. For people to use these in this space.”

Council Member Karl Buelow said it makes sense to allow the vehicles to use city streets.

“ I’m a little skeptical of the tourism. I know at EAA, a long time ago, they had a UTV/ATV show. They had a motocross show. They’ve done some things like that, and maybe that brings some people to the area,” Buelow said. “But I’ll just say that I think it makes more sense to allow it than not.”

Larson held his ground that it would be beneficial to tourism in the city, from ice fishing to organized groups and rides.

“Whether it is a draw for pure tourism or not, you can debate all you’d like to, but I mean, we have motorcycle groups show up at our restaurant on a weekly basis for sure,” Larson explained. “I’m sure there would be UTV and ATV groups that did the same. Even if they’re just passing through to get from here to Kettle Marine, which is where I would be going if I had one of these, there’s still a benefit to us for it.”

The issue now goes to the Transportation Committee for them to begin working on an ordinance that will mirror the one recently implemented by Winnebago County earlier this year. 

Other Action

In other Common Council action at the August 12th meeting, City Manager Rebecca Grill told the council the city has hired McMahon Associates to conduct a feasibility study for a combined fire department with the Town of Algoma. Oshkosh will pay $25,000, and Algoma will foot $10,000 of the bill.

“We’re looking at having them study the feasibility of us joining with the town. There’s certain benefits to that–synergies,” said Grill. “And they’ll be doing the study and telling us exactly what those are and how we would be doing it in a successful manner.”

Grill said this is the first step in exploring options for fire and EMS services after the Council approved termination of the Ambulance Service Agreement with surrounding municipalities in the July 8th meeting.