Council sends ATV/UTV question to transportation committee; members cite tourism and safety concerns

Councilor Larson introduced a request to consider allowing ATVs and UTVs on Oshkosh city roads, citing tourism and economic opportunity and noting the county had recently opened county roads. "I'm tired of watching these dollars literally drive around us," he said, arguing the vehicles can help local restaurants and businesses if routes and rules are established.

Supporters compared UTV/ATV use to motorcycles and neighborhood electric vehicles, saying properly equipped UTVs (lights, indicators, doors) can operate safely with traffic. Councilor Bulow noted operational conveniences such as driving short distances and not needing to trailer the vehicles for local use. "It created no barriers or... I'd say ... it worked just fine," he said of his previous experience with low-speed vehicles.

Several councilors and a member who identified safety concerns said ATVs/UTVs were not designed for paved-road operation and that emergency services have observed higher crash rates when off-road vehicles operate on roads. That concern led members to ask for more analysis and public input.

The council directed staff to refer the matter to the Transportation Committee for review and recommended using Winnebago County’s recently adopted approach as a starting point for committee deliberation. Councilor Nichols had proposed that path in a pre-meeting; the chair and several councilors endorsed the referral to the committee to allow more detailed discussion of operational rules, enforcement, insurance, signage and public-safety implications before any city ordinance is proposed for council action.

No ordinance was adopted; the Transportation Committee will review and return a recommendation to the council.