HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-01-14 Kristopher Wainwright
Charlene Way
From:Kristopher Wainwright <wainwrightk@yahoo.com>
Sent:Thursday, January 14, 2021 5:30 AM
To:Chris Johnson; City Clerk
Subject:Subject: Proposed ATV, UTV, and Golf Cart Ordinance, Title 7, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Chapter 5
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
Mr. Johnson,
As a resident of Meridian living at 7052 South Catfish Creek Avenue, I am writing to you to express my opposition, in the most extreme way possible, to the
proposed "ATV, UTV, and Golf Cart Ordinance, Title 7, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Chapter 5" that will be voted on in the near future.
Idaho State Code Title 49 allows us to operate ATV's and UTV's on state, county, and city roads. For the last six years State legislators have thought that ATV's
and UTV's are safe enough to drive on these roads. Because of this, we have enjoyed being able to take our ATV's and UTV's to gas stations, car washes, run
errands, commute to and from work, take our children or grandchildren for a ride around town, drive to designated off road trails, or let us travel to wherever the
State Code allows.
If this ordinance passes it would force us to trailer our vehicles to many locations; to the gas station to fill them, to the car wash to clean them, and everywhere we
go to ride. We would no longer be able to run errands nor commute to work, nor would we be able to take our children/grandchildren for a ride around town or use
them as our state legislature has seen fit.
If safety is the issue UTV's have roll bars, seat belts or 4 point harnesses, and have side safety nets or side doors - in some cases they have both nets and doors -
to keep passengers inside the UTV in case of an accident. ATV's are no less safe than a bicycle, scooter or moped, or a motorcycle if they were to get in an
accident.
Not only would the passing of this ordinance be inconvenient for me and my family since we own two UTV's and are looking at purchasing a third, but it would
force us to look elsewhere for our next home, having recently sold our home of twelve years in Kuna.
It would also prevent me from helping neighbors in the winter months. One of my UTV’s is fitted to mount a snowplow and for the past several years I have helped
neighbors plow their driveways and sidewalks, especially those who have disabilities, the elderly, and those that just couldn't manage doing it on their own. The
passing of this ordinance would prevent me from being a good steward to my neighbors and friends.
Again, please let me stress that I am in opposition to the passing of this ordinance.
Thank you for your time.
Kristopher Wainwright
wainwrightk@yahoo.com
1
208-957-4016
2