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Michigan Issues
Age of youths allowed in public areas
What age is the "right" age for a person to enter into the world of off road recreation in Michigan? On your own property, we feel that it is up to you to use good judgment when making that decision. As far as being exposed to other recreational vehicle drivers on the public system, should Michigan have a minimum age for youth operators?
Currently, the only vehicle that has an age restriction on it is the ATV. The following is Michigan's definition of an ATV:
A 3 or 4 wheeled vehicle that is designated for off-road use, that has low-pressure (balloon type) tires, with a seat that is designed to be straddled by the operator, powered by an engine in size from 50 cc on up to 500 cc displacement.
If a person is under age 10, they can not operate an ATV unless they are performing farm work. If they are age 10 or 11 they can operate an ATV on land owned by the parent or guardian. Once they reach age 12, they are eligible to be on the public system.
On any other type of vehicle, being operated as an ORV, there is no minimum age restriction. Most times, as parents, this means our children are put on a mini-bike, go-cart, small dirt bike, etc.
While ATV's are excluded from the list of options for vehicles to operate, MATVA believes that it may be time to look at this aspect of the ORV Law as a whole.
One answer would be to allow the use of ATV's by all ages on the public system just as all of the other ORV's. More importantly, it is time for us to look at what age youthful operators would be best served to practice on their own property before being exposed to the increased traffic in public areas.
Of course, not everyone has access to enough property to practice on. However we still need to consider what an appropriate age is to begin using the public system.
Through our experience in training folks of all ages, we have concluded that a reasonable minimum age would be 6.
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Removal of the subcategory ATV from the ORV Law
First, let's take a look at how the Michigan ORV Law is currently structured. Michigan has created a definition of an Off Road Vehicle. It is as follows:
"An ORV is defined as any motor vehicle that can be operated cross-country without benefit of a road or trail over land, snow and other natural terrain and includes all of the following: Multi-track and multi-wheeled vehicles, ATVs, motorcycles and related 2, 3 and 4-wheeled vehicles, amphibious machines (water to land and back), hovercraft and any other vehicles that use mechanical power, including 2 and 4-wheel drive vehicles that are highway registered, when operated off highways and roads."
A subcategory of this vehicle group is the "ATV". It is defined as follows:
"A 3 or 4 wheeled vehicle that is designated for off-road use, that has low-pressure (balloon type) tires, with a seat that is designed to be straddled by the operator, powered by an engine in size from 50 cc on up to 500 cc displacement."
This subcategory definition is clearly outdated as manufacturers are producing vehicles with engines smaller than 50cc and larger than 500cc. Additionally, this is the only vehicle in Michigan that has any restrictions placed on it for operation by youths.
When this subcategory was created, it had merit and its creation made sense. We have matured enough as a user group that MATVA believes the purpose for the restrictions has been outgrown. This definition is now actually creating problems. It is nearly impossible for folks to understand the rules and regulations relative to ATV use with this added complication, even for Law Enforcement Agents.
Removing this subcategory would allow a family to purchase an ATV for their youth, that is the proper size for their body and take them out on the trails.
MATVA believes it is time to remove the definition and subcategory of ATV from the ORV law to allow more freedom of choice for the user group along with an easier understanding of the rules and regulations by both law enforcement and the user group.
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Registration numbers for your vehicle
Did you know that every other vehicle in Michigan bears some type of registration? All street legal vehicles do as do Watercraft and Snowmobiles. ATV's and Off Highway Motorcycles, (dirt bikes) do not. So, what does this mean to you?
Protection; When was the last time a law enforcement agent stopped you and asked for your proof of registration or title for your ATV. Chances are, never. And if they stopped every operator they encountered, would we be happy? Doubtful, however, if your ATV was recently stolen, and you did not have it insured,
wouldn't you be wishing each and every ATV would be checked?
How easy would it be for someone to barrow your ATV, take it up north to their hideaway campground and use it till it died before returning it. Actually, by that time they probably would figure you would not want it back and just get rid of it for you! But seriously, wouldn't it be nice to know that a system was in place to help get a stolen vehicle back to its rightful owner?
Asking law enforcement to check every vehicle they encounter would most likely not fix the problem, would be an ineffective use of their time and would agitate all of us as users.
If there were a mechanism that is displayed on the vehicle, it would benefit us all. Also, what about that person you saw spinning doughnuts in the road. You politely remind them that this is exactly one of the reasons that we are not welcome on the road system and they politely let you know they are not interested. With a registration number, the people we hire to take care of these issues can be notified with a higher probability of successfully helping to stop ORV use abuses.
This registration process would also help put an end to out of state and out of country sales where sales tax is by passed illegally, and sending business away from the very people we hope will be there when we need repairs, parts, accessories and gear.
The revenue generated by this registration process could be used to beef up law enforcement, training and the trail system. It is a win for everyone.
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