sb, The way you talk about the county jail and poopshoots, seems you've experienced something we haven't.....Not sure what rights your talking about. Last I knew, owning quads and riding them is a privilage, not a right. Yea, the riding area situation sucks, but that doesn't mean we're criminals and thugs who violate the rights of property owners and the safety of drivers. Dude, your so part of the problem and it's a$$holes like you that that screw it up for everyone else....I think most would agree, you should be pulled over by pbso4 and reaquainted with the thugs at the county lock-up.....

The article mentions atvflorida.com as a resource to find places to ride.

http://www.gotowncrier.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=86&twindow=&mad=No&sdetail=4270&wpage=&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1150&hn=gotowncrier&he=.com


PBSO Increasing ATV Enforcement

The next time you see an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riding along Orange Blvd. in The Acreage, there may be a deputy sheriff riding it. The “Wildlands Task Force,” a specialized unit of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, is enforcing state laws prohibiting the riding of ATVs, dirt bikes and golf carts on public roadways.

The unit, equipped with 4x4 trucks and ATVs, normally patrols county-owned wetlands and natural areas. But because of the increased number of citizen complaints, injuries and traffic crashes involving off-road vehicles, the unit members will now be stopping violators while traveling to and from the environmentally sensitive areas they patrol.

Since November 2004, the unit has conducted 96 traffic stops involving off-road vehicles operating on public roadways, right-of-ways (the sides of the road) and sidewalks. Many of the violators stopped were on dirt roads. Parents and riders need to understand the dirt roads are public roadways just the same as paved roads are, PBSO officials note. Other related ATV violations include carrying passengers on an ATV and riders under 16 not wearing a helmet.

Most ATV manufacturers install a decal warning operators against use on public roadways, carrying passengers and operating an ATV if under the age of 16. However, based on the increased number of injuries, traffic crashes and violations, these decal warnings are either being overlooked or simply ignored.

Off-road vehicles can only be legally operated on private property owned by the rider or on which the rider has permission to be. In Palm Beach County, they can also be operated in the Rotenberger and Holey Land wildlife management areas managed by the Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC). Off-road vehicles caught in county-owned natural areas and certain canal rights-of-way can also face a misdemeanor charge of trespassing. Those stopped on public roadways face various traffic violations, depending on the type of vehicle. Unlicensed operators stopped on public roadways face a criminal violation, which requires a court appearance. Parents who knowingly allow an unlicensed minor to operate an off-road vehicle on a public roadway also face a criminal violation. Those who flee from deputies can be charged with a felony. There have been cases where the off-road vehicle operator flees into the woods to elude deputies patrolling in cars. When caught, the violator faces jail and the forfeiture of the vehicle.

“We are trying to get the word out so we can help prevent injuries, traffic crashes and trespassing,” said Deputy John Gibson, one of the Wildlands Task Force members. “Rural areas such as The Acreage, Jupiter Farms and Palm Beach Country Estates were once havens for off-roading. With the increase in population comes the increase in vehicle traffic. It’s challenging enough for an experienced, licensed driver on the roadways. Adding an unlicensed 12-year-old riding an ATV or dirt bike capable of speeds up to 65 mph is a bad combination.”

There are many resources available to the public, such as web sites like floridatrailriders.org and atvflorida.com, which provide information on legal places to ride, group rides and safe riding. To review Florida Statutes on the topic, visit www.fdle.state.fl.us/statutes and look for Chapter 316 Motor Vehicles. There are also ATV safety courses available. Call 1-800-887-2887 to find out about the training courses nearest you or visit www.atvsafety.org.

The article mentions atvflorida.com as a resource for finding areas to ride.

http://www.gotowncrier.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=86&twindow=&mad=No&sdetail=4270&wpage=&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1150&hn=gotowncrier&he=.com


PBSO Increasing ATV Enforcement

The next time you see an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riding along Orange Blvd. in The Acreage, there may be a deputy sheriff riding it. The “Wildlands Task Force,” a specialized unit of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, is enforcing state laws prohibiting the riding of ATVs, dirt bikes and golf carts on public roadways.

The unit, equipped with 4x4 trucks and ATVs, normally patrols county-owned wetlands and natural areas. But because of the increased number of citizen complaints, injuries and traffic crashes involving off-road vehicles, the unit members will now be stopping violators while traveling to and from the environmentally sensitive areas they patrol.

Since November 2004, the unit has conducted 96 traffic stops involving off-road vehicles operating on public roadways, right-of-ways (the sides of the road) and sidewalks. Many of the violators stopped were on dirt roads. Parents and riders need to understand the dirt roads are public roadways just the same as paved roads are, PBSO officials note. Other related ATV violations include carrying passengers on an ATV and riders under 16 not wearing a helmet.

Most ATV manufacturers install a decal warning operators against use on public roadways, carrying passengers and operating an ATV if under the age of 16. However, based on the increased number of injuries, traffic crashes and violations, these decal warnings are either being overlooked or simply ignored.

Off-road vehicles can only be legally operated on private property owned by the rider or on which the rider has permission to be. In Palm Beach County, they can also be operated in the Rotenberger and Holey Land wildlife management areas managed by the Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC). Off-road vehicles caught in county-owned natural areas and certain canal rights-of-way can also face a misdemeanor charge of trespassing. Those stopped on public roadways face various traffic violations, depending on the type of vehicle. Unlicensed operators stopped on public roadways face a criminal violation, which requires a court appearance. Parents who knowingly allow an unlicensed minor to operate an off-road vehicle on a public roadway also face a criminal violation. Those who flee from deputies can be charged with a felony. There have been cases where the off-road vehicle operator flees into the woods to elude deputies patrolling in cars. When caught, the violator faces jail and the forfeiture of the vehicle.

“We are trying to get the word out so we can help prevent injuries, traffic crashes and trespassing,” said Deputy John Gibson, one of the Wildlands Task Force members. “Rural areas such as The Acreage, Jupiter Farms and Palm Beach Country Estates were once havens for off-roading. With the increase in population comes the increase in vehicle traffic. It’s challenging enough for an experienced, licensed driver on the roadways. Adding an unlicensed 12-year-old riding an ATV or dirt bike capable of speeds up to 65 mph is a bad combination.”

There are many resources available to the public, such as web sites like floridatrailriders.org and atvflorida.com, which provide information on legal places to ride, group rides and safe riding. To review Florida Statutes on the topic, visit www.fdle.state.fl.us/statutes and look for Chapter 316 Motor Vehicles. There are also ATV safety courses available. Call 1-800-887-2887 to find out about the training courses nearest you or visit www.atvsafety.org.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/pbcsouth/content/local_news/epaper/2005/12/03/s3c_bbATV_1203.html


LACK OF PLACE TO RIDE CAN SPOIL GIFT OF ATV

By Pilar Ulibarri de Rivera

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Saturday, December 03, 2005

BOYNTON BEACH — On Christmas morning, big red bows will be yanked from off-highway vehicles, creating a new batch of riders who one day could find themselves in the same place as Tony L. Harvey II: jail.

Harvey took to North Seacrest Boulevard on his dirt bike Thursday, just as police initiated Operation Quad Killer, an enforcement effort to combat nuisances that off-highway vehicle create on public roads.

"Illegal riding of off-highway vehicles continues to be a very dangerous community problem that needs a solution," said Jim Wilder, director of Southeast Florida Trail Riders. "Come January, you're going to see a lot more people riding down the highways on these things."

Florida ranks fourth in the nation in all-terrain vehicle sales, said Mike Mount, spokesman for the ATV Safety Institute, which vehicle manufacturers sponsor to provide education.

Wilder, 43, of Delray Beach, who created his nonprofit organization five years ago, also is a member of the state's Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Committee. The committee was established after the state's T. Mark Schmidt Off-Highway Vehicle Safety and Recreation Act was signed into law in 2002 to promote the development of a recreational system for users of the vehicles.

"The committee's last quarterly report said only four counties in the state have more than 6,000 OHVs," Wilder said. "And Palm Beach is one of them."

Around Christmastime, calls from parents are inevitable, he said.

"They tell me they just dropped thousands of dollars on an ATV or dirt bike and want to know where their kids can go play with their presents," Wilder said. "In South Florida, for the most part, you have to drive four or five hours just to find a place."

The only place to ride in Boynton Beach is on private property with the owner's permission, said officer Joe DeGiulio, who headed the traffic division's operation Thursday.

"They are illegal on the road because they don't have turn signals, brake lights, side mirrors, because they are made with off-road purposes," DeGiulio said.

Harvey not only broke the law by driving on the road but also crossed medians, rode up on sidewalks and ran stop signs, all with his license suspended, DeGiulio said.

"I agree with the police," Wilder said. "People may think the police are trying to kill their fun, but they're actually saving their lives."

The state committee is trying to change the habit of riding on public roads, Wilder said. It recently awarded Miami-Dade County a $75,000 grant to evaluate areas proposed for riding the vehicles.

"Palm Beach hasn't even tried to do that," Wilder said. "And while there continues to be nowhere to ride legally, people will continue to ride illegally."

I live in loxahatchee, about 2 miles from where the crash took place. I used the boat example, because most of the yards I see out here have boats in them. They are all on trailers and need to be towed someplace to be used. ATVs are no different. There is no where to ride out here except on the roads, canal banks and posted private property. These options are unsafe and illegal. Unless the state/county is willing to bulldoze about 200 homes, equal to about 350 acres, there is nowhere here to build an ATV park. Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of knocking down about 200 homes so I can have a place to ride. I've done the road, canalbank, and property thing. That got me two tickets and arrested in a natural preserve. Ironically, it was PBSO4 who arrested me and towed my quad. I'm as frustrated as everyone else....I just faced facts and decided not to be part of the problem. When my ATV is on a street, it's on a trailer.

I disagree with Gamer about placing blame on the county. Owning an ATV is no different than owning a boat. It's a recreational vehicle. Put it on a trailer and take it somewhere you can legally and safely ride. PBC is overgrown and overpopulated. All the property is owned by someone and no one wants to accept the liability to allow off road vehicles on it. Thats the bottom line. The county will not provide land for off-roading due to liability. It's always been illegal to ride ATVs on the streets. Thats a state law, so if someone moved to the Loxahatchee area thinking it wasn't part of the state of Florida, they are just plain ignorant. To directly blame West Palm Beach for the actions of an irresponsible teenager is equally ignorant.

From what I've read in the papers, that !!@*% broke the law requiring him to re-register when he moved there. I saw on the news cops and volunteers on quads trying to find her. Seems it's easier to point a finger than pick up a shovel....Rather than criticize the police, lets stay focused on the problem of having nowhere to ride and why. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy.

Yea, it's hit and miss when riding near 180th and 60th. While driving my car, I've seen the PBSO ATVs riding up and down 180th and 60th. Can't miss the blue LEDs. When I was stopped, they said they are just looking for quads riding on the roads and the natural areas......

I'm not sure about the property north of where Royal Palm Blvd ends...I don't think it's posted. The problem is getting to it. I've heard a lot of riders have been ticketed for riding on the roads. I just know the property south of the west palm canal is patrolled......Mike

To bad there aren't any places in Loxahatchee to ride

Be careful on 180th near Orange Blvd....I saw 3 deputies on ATVs parked by the groves today around 3pm.....I see those guys way to much......I have court on the 15th for riding in the squares, and it looked like the same ones. I was lucky it was different cops when I was stopped at 60th.....

I plan on riding on Sat, just not sure where yet.....

Yea, I tried out Northlake to and a deputy in a car told us on the speaker we were trespassing and to leave. I guess it depends on how busy they are. Sometimes I'll be there and they ride by and not do anything.....As for 60th, I'm done there....The man has a picture of me and my quad.......

Yea, the only problem with that is the deputies have ATVs to. I found that out the hard way . They'll also tow your truck and trailer.....It's hit and miss though.....I heard they're going to build condos there.....Sucks...

Our group was stopped by 2 PBSO deputies on ATVs. We used bad judgement, as the area is posted, but took a chance. They issued us written warnings, took photos of us, and told us if we were caught there again, we would be arrested and our quads towed. They also said a fence is going up and the area is being made into a natural area.

I had fun to...to bad we missed each other. Good you didn't ride with us anyway, as we were kicked out by the ATV deputies. Avoid 60th St N. and 110th Ave N.We used bad judgement and went there even though it was posted. The ATV deputies were cool and gave us written warnings. Also took pictures of us...said if we came back, we would be arrested and our quads towed.....

I'm riding both days in the Loxahatchee area....Where are you guys going to be?

Thanks, let us know what you come up with. I'll be riding this weekend and next weekend around here.

Mine is a 2001 Sportsman 500......Starter went out last month and I'm still pull starting it . Rear dif or axle making a bad metallic noise as I make left turns....what next?? Thinking about getting a Honda Rincon or Yamaha 660 Grizzly......

Yea, after I was stopped, I looked up the state law on ATVs. The police are exempt and allowed to ride on the roads. The state law is 316.2074 paragraph 7 that allows them to ride. Paragraph 5 doesn't allow us on the roads We need to join up!!

Feb sounds good.....

Hey msmechanic, I should have been riding with you!! Maybe I wouldn't have gotten this  [smiley=Angry.gif] >:(court date....when are you going out there again?

Yea, as the deputy wrote out the notice to appear, I asked where we could ride. He said the only place to legally ride in PBC is on private property that you own or have permission to be on. He said they primarily patrol the Natural Areas and have a zero tolerance policy for anyone riding in them. I also asked about Belvedere and Jog. He said it's not a Natural Area, but they just started patrolling there because the property owner requested it. I'm not sure how many of them patrol on ATVs, but there were 4 of them when I was stopped.

I would avoid the squares area off of Seminole Pratt ......I have a Feb 15th court date for going into the ERM portion [smiley=Angry.gif]. Deputies on ATVs patrol there.....

Thanks tvman.....guess I'll be trailering it.....