ATV Florida Forum

Well here is the first to opt out of the new law coming OCT 1,

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/09/12/Pasco/County_opts_out_of_st.shtml

If local ATV enthusiast would fight for their right to ride, maybe things would have been different. 

No offense.

I would have been more than eager to discuss the new atv law in Pasco county if it would have been announced? I never heard a single thing about it and I live in Pasco county. I was really looking forward to it and now it is over before it even started. Boooo Pasco County Commissioners, Hooorraay ATVers! :P

If ATV riders portrayed themselves as a responsible, mature group istead of a bunch of DumbAZZZ'S. Thats right, we are easy targets for bad press. There are several different types or groups of riders. Not all riders are having these problems. Take a look at ourselves, me included, before we blame the rest of the world for closing us down.       

Does anyone know how this law actually passed in the first place, and why the counties can "OPT OUT" if they so choose? I didn't hear about the law when it was up for discussion to become a law.

Sounds like there is a hidden agenda here.

Why make the law in the first place? (I mean, who pressured them to make this law and why? Certainly not the voters. Did any of you hear about this before it became a law? I never saw it on any ballots. It seems the majority of news media and politicians portray ATV use and ATV enthusiasts as dangerous and disturbers of the peace.)

I mean, even OCALA forest is opting out, which you would think would be the perfect place to ride an ATV with all the interconnectet dirt roads. Why make it a law, if it won't be used. IS this tied to some monetary reward such as tax dollars going to states that allow for the passing of this law?


Something's not right here.

Ocala can opt out because they are governed by the Division of Forestry - whole different set of rules.

maybe a set up , the more that opt out the more evidence that ATV's are not wanted in certain counties, building the State's case to not have to spend money on them.

Yeah, I know, they're federal.  Point is, everyone in Florida can opt out, Federal or Local.

What I meant was, Ocala has a variety of paved roads that are interconnected, yet they chose to opt out.
Most counties I know, don't have interconnected paved roads.
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say most counties are going to chose to opt out. (Call me a cynic)

So, I guess my question is, why did the law go into effect? There has to be some sorta reason for them to pass a law that says they are allowed, when it seems most counties will OPT OUT.

Seems odd. I was just wondering if it's tied to some pork barrel spending issue or something of that sort.

Uncle Rico - here is a few different articles posted on another forum. It does appear that meetings will be held before a county can opt out.

Seems like it will stick in the northern counties from reading some of the posts on the below link. The link also has a few articles that have been published that I never saw, not sure if anyone has seen them either.

http://www.floridatrailriders.org/cgi-bin/ikon3/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=20;t=6059;st=0

I sent a letter to the commissioners of Pasco county stating that they have now removed a legal option for us to ride.  It is now there responsibility to provide us with a legal location.  I cant wait for the response if I get one at all.  The last I heard the Sheriff said he did not oppose the law so I did not see the need to look for meetings nor did I know there was going to be a vote in Pasco.  Most likely to little to late but its worth a shot.

That's a good idea.


I'll be interested to hear there response.

Good job! :ThumbsUp.gif. Let me know the outcome so that I can be heard too if need be. I am with ya!

Send an Email.  If you go the the Pasco County website they all have links to email them at.

I receved a responce today from my local Commissioner in Pasco County.  It was what I expected.  I wrote a 3 paragraph letter.  She wrote 2 lines.  Basicaly she said She supported the vote and that ATV are destroying Roadways and there have been several injuries and deaths as of late. 

I am not done with this by any means.  I need help though.  PLEASE If you live in pasco county Go to the Pasco county Website and Email you locar rep let them know that you want a legal place to ride in OUR county.

It is not just one county or two that are a problem. The pressure is really on in the state of Florida and will get worse til there is a legal place to ride in every county. Every county is receiving money from your registering your quad. Where is the money going? That money is supposed to be going to making parks and enforcing safe riding laws. As it stands right now that money is going to local authorities new SUV’s and million dollar homes.

Go to your local ATV shops and ask for a copy of the number of ATV’s they have sold in the past year. Then figure out what the registration fee was and start the math. Take the numbers and confront your commissioners.

We need to start a composite of numbers per county and then address this from a state wide prospective as well as a county wide.

Now I have left messages with Both of the state Reps that are in my area.  We will see if I get a call back or not.  I figure they may want to know that the area they represent opted out of the law the state put in place.

Any word back?

I have an update.  I have had dialog with a county commissioner, DA. office and 2 state Reps today.  My county commissioner has been very receptive and is looking into options for me over the past few days.  As of now it has been kicked up to the Pasco County DA. to look into liability issues.  I am working hard on this so check back for updates.

what their doin is passing the law, the the countys opt out of it. so when peolpe complain they can say "see we passes the law but no one wanted to stand up for it then so its to late know" i hate f@*k^% politics

No that not the case here.  The people I spoke with admitted that they didnt like ATVs that is why they were against the law.  One of them said she had kids doing donughts in front of her house one week before the vote.  We ask why dont they like us.....  I think who ever the punk that was riding in front of the persons home that make the laws is directly to blame.  We are our own worst enemy.

It is unfortuneate, but very true.

I don't agree, the law doesn't make that behavior legal, it simply says if you're over 16 you can drive down a dirt road marked under 35mph during the day, how in the world does that have anything to do with someone doing donuts in front of her house?

Youngsters get in cars and trucks and do donuts all day/night on dirt roads, i know, i used to do it lmao

Putman county opted out last week. I was at the hearing and all the complaints they had listed that were caused by 4wheelers would still be against the law, tresspassing, doing doughnuts in the road, children riding unsupervised, etc. I wrote a long response in the local paper here and it is suppose to be published, I just need to find out when. I am goingto keep bothering them to no end. We need to go to the state Rep's who pasted the law, talking to the county commisioners is like talking to a tree.

anyone know if miami dade has opt out if not where can i find out?