It has been more than a decade since people were free to ride all-terrain vehicles on public trails in Duluth, but one city councilor is out to change that.
Jay Fosle has introduced a resolution asking city staff to consider the feasibility of opening one or more city trails for ATV use. The resolution was on a recent consent agenda, which means its passage is virtually assured.
In recent years, the city has invested millions of dollars in new paths for bicyclists, hikers and cross-country skiers, but Fosle said ATV riders have been forgotten.
The ultimate irony for Fosle is that many of the trails that have been developed in recent years exploit existing routes.
"A lot of those trails were originally developed by dirt bikers, ATV riders and snowmobilers back in the day. But now they're off limits for them," he said.
Although the decision to bar ATVs from city trails predates her tenure as manager of Duluth's parks and recreation department, Kathy Bergen said she understands the rationale for the policy.
"City staff has not been supportive of ATVs in the past because of the extensive damage we've seen them cause," she explained.
But, Bergen said Fosle has suggested creating a designated ATV trail that could head off future problems.
"He has encouraged us to look at the picture in a different way by saying that if there's a trail or trails set aside for them, maybe ATV riders won't go where they shouldn't," she said, observing that staff has been asked to make a bit of "a leap of faith."
Sherri Brown, a member of the North Shore ATV Club, said she's optimistic people would make the most of the opportunity if given the opportunity to ride responsibly on city trails. She and her husband, Tom, teach an ATV safety class and have trained more than 1,200 riders in recent years. Their curriculum includes lessons on the importance of staying on marked paths, trail etiquette and when to avoid riding because of the risk of causing trail damage.
"To gain the rights we want, we know we'll need to prove that we deserve those rights," Brown said.
Pete Gassert, owner of Duluth Lawn & Sport, said ATV use has evolved from its early days when riders often seemed focused on high-speed thrills.
"It's becoming more and more of a family sport with the side-by-sides and five- or even six-seat machines," he said.
Gasser said he sells many ATVs to people in Duluth who must trailer them to other locales to ride them. He finds it odd that other communities in the region have profited handsomely from ATV riders, where Duluth has turned away the same opportunity.
"It's a ton of tourism money that's just being left on the table in Duluth," Gasser said.
Fosle suggested Duluth also could sell ATV permits or licenses to those who wish to ride on its city trails, and the revenue could be used to cover maintenance costs.
Fosle concedes his recent resolution is just a first step.
"It's not going to be some kind of overnight deal," he said. Before any ATV trail could come to pass, the city also would need to change its code to allow for the use of the machines on public property.
"I'm hoping we can come up with some sort of plan before 2014 is over," Fosle said. "It's not rocket science."
