Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Off-roaders need quiet leadership

The Spokesman-Review

The popularity of off-road vehicles is exploding. The number of all-terrain vehicle riders alone has surpassed 16 million, according to ATV Rider magazine. But there is no corresponding growth in places to ride, so some are sticking to their own property.

The noise has triggered a battle between riders and their neighbors, and the Washington state Legislature has been drawn into the fight. Last year, a couple of legislators sponsored bills to crack down on the noise, but ATV owners banded together to stifle them. Instead, the Legislature established a task force to study the issue.

A one-size-fits-all solution will be difficult to craft. Most of the noise battles are being fought on the West Side, where population density exacerbates the problem. In the wide open spaces of Eastern Washington, the problem is less acute. A solution that might work for Seattle, Tacoma or Olympia, might be heavy-handed elsewhere.

There are already state and local nuisance laws that address noise, but enforcement is spotty. Passing stricter laws won’t change that. A couple who started a group called The Coalition Against ORV Nuisances had to first videotape riders, record decibel levels and hire an attorney before a judge intervened and shut down a neighbor’s backyard track.

As with many problems, it are the actions of a few that can give an activity a bad name. It would be far better if ATV riders policed their own, rather than wait for the state to step in.

Inconsiderate riders do pose real problems. They use louder after-market mufflers or none at all and have little regard for the irritating noise they produce.

“These people are ruining the sport and giving it a bad name,” says Andrea Fontenet, whose husband races dirt bikes.

The Fontenets live on seven acres in Thurston County, but they say they can’t even take a nap because of the off-road motorcyclist who roars up and down the road near their property. They are considering a lawsuit.

Neighbors of noisy ATV riders have a legitimate beef, and they can’t be blamed for seeking relief through the Legislature or in civil court.

ATV clubs are fearful their sport will be severely limited by new regulations and, for the most part, have successfully thwarted new regulations. But they should also fight for the principles of responsible riding, which will enhance the reputation of the sport. Riders have considerable clout now, but it will diminish as complaints pour in.

Groups such as Tread Lightly already educate riders on how to enjoy their sport without destroying the environment. A similar effort is needed when it comes to noise abatement and being good neighbors.