The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2021-01-29 Mike Bernard Charlene Way From:mmbernard1@gmail.com Sent:Thursday, January 28, 2021 7:20 PM To:City Clerk Cc:Malissa Bernard; Michael Bernard Subject:UTV/ATV Proposed Ordinance Draft External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments. Mr Clerk, Please forward the message below to the Mayor, City Council and Transportation Committee as appropriate. ___________________________________________________________________ I am writing to voice my opposition to the proposed ordinance to make operation of utility vehicles illegal on Meridian roadways. The State of Idaho allows for certain off-highway vehicles to be used on public roads as long a certain condition are met. This comes with additions cost for the vehicle owner in both government imposed fees, and additional equipment to make the vehicle “legal”. Additionally, the vehicle owner must also comply with all the other existing traffic rules. While it is true local jurisdiction can limit where these vehicles may be operated, an absolute ban of their use is a is completely ridiculous. Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. I could make a list as long as my arm detailing legitimate uses for these vehicle within the city; business, personal and community focused, but that is not the point. It seems every other week some form of government has devised a new rule or regulation telling the rest of us what we can or can’t do. Often it seems the only conceivable reason is someone’s in a appointed or elected position of power has an axe to grind with some sub-set of the population rather than an articulable problem that needs to be solved. In the rare cases when a specific and articulable issue is raised, then that specific situation should be addressed rather than flock shooting. An outright ban of a particular thing is the lazy way to address the issue. It’s the cancel culture and “Nanny State” we’ve all grown to despise, but somehow some folks are ok with it if something they oppose gets canceled. I live in Meridian and have family and friends that live in every corner of the city. I routinely walk through my neighborhood and adjacent neighborhoods, all days of the week, and at all times of the day. I have never heard of, had a conversation about, or personally witnessed individuals or groups of individual operating utility vehicle or carts in a manner that any reasonable person would find objectionable. Never, ever – period. In fact, the opposite is true. I hear of someone telling me of a neighbor with an UTV helping her with some landscaping chores, or people using them to clear snow or do routine maintenance at common areas within an HOA. I’ve seen golf carts decorated in patriotic colors for an ad-hoc Fourth of July Parade and others using their golf carts to haul water 1 and sports equipment to small neighborhood gatherings or even used to deliver Christmas gifts. Not one of those activities hurt or harm anyone. There is not a problem that needs to be solved here. I also see plenty of other “alternative” forms of transportation being used and none of them are a problem either. Scooters, e- bikes, hover boards, electric long-board and small engine powered bikes. On the topic of golf carts. Why in the world would we have an ordinance that prohibits their use? Well, except for those “special’ places. You know…city operated golf courses and high cost golf course communities or retirement communities; those are okay. For the rest of us “have-nots”– oh no, it’s illegal. How is it okay to justify the use of carts for a particular sub-set of the population but prohibit for the rest? What’s the “fee” to be included in the “cool guy club” to drive a cart in my neighborhood? I’ll let you in on a little secret…We the People are growing weary of the constant injection of regulation and silly ordinances into our everyday lives. The vast majority of the citizen of this city both want to, and make concerted efforts to follow the law and do the right thing day in and day out. However, senseless laws like the topic at hand make being a good citizen much harder than it needs to be. Does everyone follow the rule all the time? Unfortunately, they don’t. In the cases where one isn’t, there are more than adequate existing laws to cite that would provide the necessary incentive to modify those behaviors and/or educate someone. Some example: speeding, careless or reckless driving, inattentive driving, helmet laws, failure to stop, failure to yield, and I’m sure a law enforcement office (LEO) could cite even more. Heck, most of the time just contact with, and a brief conversation with a LEO will promote the behavioral changes needed to address the isolated problem. My father taught me to never complain without providing a suggested solution. So I’ll wrap it with some abbreviated suggestions that keep individuals’ liberties balanced with public safety: - Simply follow State guidelines for UTV/ ATV / OHV with reasonable limits re: lights, horns, use of hand signals, etc. o No operation on state highways unless within city limits…cross at nearest intersection that would allow… o No use on roads with posted speed limits 45mph or greater. May cross at 90 degrees o Use within any neighborhood or on any city street unless otherwise prohibited i.e. highways or hi-speed thoughofares. - Eliminate any and all references to prohibitions of use of golf carts in current law. Add language below in future: o Use within a neighborhood or within a locations not otherwise prohibited. o No use on roads with posted speed limits 25mph or greater. May cross at 90 degrees o Must have a slow vehicle placard (inverted triangle) posted on the read and visible form a reasonable distance -- I mean the placard that make it legal for a tractor to drive 25 in a 55. Should work for golf carts to drive 12 in a 25. o Must not be operated prior to sun rise or after sunset unless 2 equipped with (insert language to describe needed light equipment equipment) Respectfully, Mike Bernard 4025 N Dashwood Pl 3