Council holds first reading on off‑highway vehicle rules; police support ordinance and council seeks UTV exceptions

River Falls — The council on Feb. 24 held first reading of an ordinance (Ord. 20-26-09) to regulate off‑highway motorcycles, utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in city limits, and the city’s police chief voiced support for the update.

Asked for input, Chief Young said the police department supports reinstating regulations that had been removed from the code and cited incidents involving bicyclists and off‑highway vehicles. "The police department supports it," Chief Young said during the meeting.

Council members and other speakers raised concerns about unintended consequences for residents who use UTVs and similar vehicles for legitimate property maintenance or for loading and unloading. One speaker proposed drafting exception language to allow loading, unloading or brief adjacent yard use — for example, “to allow for loading, unloading in the street or in the alleyway behind the home and…immediately adjacent use” — provided the vehicle is not driven around town. Council members and staff agreed that amendment language could be discussed prior to or at the second reading; minor modifications are permissible between readings.

Chief Young also said the police department is working on an ordinance update for e-bikes and different classifications and expects to present that work within a month or two. The ordinance before the council on first reading will return for a second reading where any proposed exception language can be formally offered and considered.