Kentucky

 Kentucky

ORV Visible Identification

Kentucky does not require visible identification on ORVs.

View our report to learn more about the 37 states that do require visible identification. Learn how Kentucky ranks compared to other states on visible identification requirements.

Recent Legislative Action

2009

HB53: Requires ORV titling and bans from paved roads (3/24/09: Enacted)

2008

SB 196: Expand the Recreational Trails Authority membership and charge it with running an informational campaign on responsible riding focusing on implications of trespass, vandalism, and littering. It also directs the Authority to study ATV trespassing and gives authority to local governments to charge a general use permit. (Signed into law, 4/11/08)

HB613: Establish a permit for ATVs and authorizes state agencies to designated riding trails. (3/13/08: Passed House, Sent to Senate)

HJR153: Calls for study of ways to increase responsible riding and reduce ATV-related trespassing. (3/14/08: Passed House, Sent to Senate)

2007

HJR14: Direct the Kentucky Recreational Trails Authority to study illegal trespass by ATV users on private and public property; direct the Governor to appoint a member to the authority representing Kentucky Farm Bureau. (2/12/07: Passed House, Sent to Senate)

Community Voices Demand Action in Kentucky

Kentuckians are increasingly voicing their concerns about a growing contingent of reckless riders who break the law, damage public and private land, injure themselves and others, and ruin hunting, fishing and hiking experiences for the rest of us.

  • "One of the more common problems is the use of all-terrain vehicles in the forest, and ATV use is prohibited in the Shawnee." -- Bob Monroe, USFS recreation staff officer for the Shawnee's Hidden Spring District, The Paducah Sun (11/17/08)
  • "Promoting a network of trails for ATVs invites the worst, not the best, in nature tourism. Just ask the citizens of Laurel County near the notorious '909 Site,' which was finally closed due to the devastation wreaked by ATVs. You'll hear tales of trespassing and threats against landowners - provided they're not still too intimidated to talk." -- Al Fritsch (Ravenna) and Kristin Johannsen (Berea), Letter to the Editor, "Real ecotourists wouldn't damage land with ATVs", Lexington Herald-Leader (10/17/08)
  • "We've had some problems on farms where they get out on somebody's land and run some of the crop." -- David Maddox, Marshall County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy, "Off-road fun, on-road danger: Misuse of ATVs can send riders to hospital or worse", The Paducah Sun (9/28/08)
  • "We've had people who do doughnuts on ATVs out on our gravel roads, and it damages our roads...I've encountered people who seem to think that buying an ATV guarantees them a place to ride it, but besides being destructive to wildlife habitat, ATVs are very disruptive to other people who use management areas, people who are licensed hunters and fishermen and are, in effect, paying the bills for the area." -- Tim Kreher, manager of West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area, "Off-road fun, on-road danger: Misuse of ATVs can send riders to hospital or worse", The Paducah Sun (9/28/08)
  • "Right now there is no organization. We have four-wheelers everywhere. We have trespassing everywhere." -- Daniel Mongiardo, Lt. Gov. of Kentucky, "Pledge given to protect trails", Lexington Herald-Leader (9/5/08)
  • "If Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo wants to promote Kentucky as a destination for adventure tourism, he should make clear that ATVs don't belong in wildlife areas, nature preserves or parks...Irresponsible off-roaders tear through woods and streams, with no regard to property lines or trail markings, leaving giant mud holes, invasive species and wrecked streams in their paths. The public's interest is in enforcing the law to protect public and private property, not inviting more destruction." -- Lexington Herald-Leader Editorial Board, "Keep ATVs in their place", Lexington Herald-Leader (8/22/08)
  • "...we should be very careful about opening public land to ATVs. They can do a lot of environmental damage, especially in areas with steep hills or sandy soil. Big ATV wheels dig up vegetation that holds soil in place, allowing erosion that sends silt into steams and rivers. Much of the erosion around Red River Gorge eventually ends up in the Kentucky River, which is the water supply for Lexington and many other towns." -- Tom Eblen, Lexington Herald-Leader Columnist, "4-wheeler traffic erodes scenic arch", Lexington Herald-Leader (8/21/08)
  • "We have a constant problem with ATVs running through and doing damage to the grasses and so on, cutting off trails and running up hills." -- Taylor Orr, Kentucky Wildlife Commission, "'Adventure tourism' push stirs concerns", Lexington Herald-Leader (8/21/08)

Recent ORV-Related Media Coverage



Mayor says ATV riders damaging levee in Kentucky

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Written by Wave3   
Friday, November 18, 2011
An eastern Kentucky mayor says ATV riders are cutting ruts into a levee and possibly putting a city in danger of flooding.

Middlesboro Mayor Bill Kelley says the use of four-wheelers on the levee that keeps Bennett Fork out of the city could allow high water to breach the levee.

The levee, part of the Middlesboro Flood Protection Project, is maintained by the U.S. Corps of Engineers. Corps spokesman Dave Robinson told The Daily News in Middlesboro that foot traffic is fine, but ATVs can do damage. ATVs are currently prohibited on the levee.

Robinson says riders can be cited to federal court in London, Ky.

--

Source: http://www.wave3.com/story/16073850/mayor-says-atv-riders-damaging-levee-in-kentucky

 

Lewis County man dies in ATV accident; another charged

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Written by Ledger Independent   
Monday, February 28, 2011
A Lewis County man is dead after an accident Sunday that involved a truck, an ATV and a dirt bike.

Robbie Malone, 30, of Vanceburg was riding a Yamaha CR 80 dirt bike that was being pulled by a Yamaha Grizzly 700 four-wheeler travelling southbound on Kentucky 57 when the accident occurred, according to the Kentucky State Police. The four-wheeler was operated by 36-year-old Michael Sowder of Goshen, Ohio.

Read more... [Lewis County man dies in ATV accident; another charged]
 

3 injured at motocross event in western Ky.

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Written by Associated Press   
Monday, February 14, 2011
Three people have suffered injuries while attending a motocross event in western Kentucky.

Murray State University spokeswoman Catherine Sivills told The Paducah Sun that two adults and a child were taken to a hospital after being struck by an all-terrain vehicle. She said the driver of an all-terrain vehicle lost control and fell off, which sent the ATV into the crowd of spectators.

Read more... [3 injured at motocross event in western Ky.]
 

ATV riders damage Riverview Park

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Written by Courier-Journal   
Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Sheryl Edelen

Riders of all-terrain vehicles have damaged the new sections of Riverview Park near Greenwood and Cane Run roads, and police and city officials are looking for help in finding the people who did it.

Police say ATV riders have dug deep ruts into the hillside and lawn closest to the newly completed boat dock.

Read more... [ATV riders damage Riverview Park]
 

Despite objections, donated land off Deering Rod may be used for Louisville LoopDespite objections, donated land off Deering Rod may be used for Louisville Loop

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Written by Courier-Journal   
Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Charlie White

A local developer has donated 15 acres off Deering Road near the Snyder Freeway to Metro Parks, which will likely use the land for part of the Louisville Loop, the planned multi-use path around the city.

Don Cook, president and chief executive of Renaissance Development, said he believes the donated land — much of which is a large sand pit excavated for construction projects — someday will be transformed into a nice outdoor amenity for residents in the nearby Woodridge Lake subdivision, and possibly for others who use the loop.

Read more... [Despite objections, donated land off Deering Rod may be used for Louisville LoopDespite objections, donated land off Deering Rod may be used for Louisville Loop]
 

Richmond man piles up trouble in ATV chase

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Written by Lexington Herald-Leader   
Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Greg Kocher

A Richmond man arrested Monday is accused of stealing an all-terrain vehicle and attempting to ram pursuing police cruisers.

Walter F. Smith, 35, of Tates Creek Avenue, was charged with first-degree wanton endangerment, second-degree assault, fleeing and evading police and other charges, Richmond police said.

Read more... [Richmond man piles up trouble in ATV chase]
 

Richmond man piles up trouble in ATV chase

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Written by Lexington Herald-Leader   
Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Greg Kocher

A Richmond man arrested Monday is accused of stealing an all-terrain vehicle and attempting to ram pursuing police cruisers.

Walter F. Smith, 35, of Tates Creek Avenue, was charged with first-degree wanton endangerment, second-degree assault, fleeing and evading police and other charges, Richmond police said.

Read more... [Richmond man piles up trouble in ATV chase]
 

Letter: Four-wheelers, public roads a fatal mix

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Written by Lexington Herald-Leader   
Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Over a recent four-week period, Eastern Kentucky saw four fatalities on dirt bikes and four-wheelers — two in Owsley, one in Knox and one in Whitley counties.
All four of these, and countless others, have one thing in common. They were killed on public highways.

These deaths were preventable. If the parents of the children who were killed had kept them off the roads, and the adults had done so also, all these folks would have been alive today.

Read more... [Letter: Four-wheelers, public roads a fatal mix]
 

NKU plans to create wetland in Latonia

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Written by Cincinnati Enquirer   
Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Scott Wartman

COVINGTON - Staff from Northern Kentucky University has restored streams and wetlands all over Northern Kentucky and now hope to work on 30 acres along Banklick Creek in Latonia.

The university's Center for Applied Ecology awaits approval from the Army Corps of Engineers to create a wetland and preserve along Banklick Creek on city-owned property near the Bill Cappel Youth Sports Complex. They will also remove invasive species, such as honeysuckle.

Read more... [NKU plans to create wetland in Latonia]
 

Wildfires continue to plague eastern Ky.

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Written by Associated Press   
Wednesday, April 14, 2010

HAZARD, Ky. -- Firefighters continue to battle a series of wildfires in eastern Kentucky and state officials says many of them were set by arsonists.

Bob Kelly with the Division of Forestry told WYMT-TV in Hazard some firefighters have worked 30 days straight, trying to contain the blazes that have burned thousands of acres.

Read more... [Wildfires continue to plague eastern Ky.]
 
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State by State Momentum

Community Voices

“We’ve had success bringing illegal riders to justice by snapping photos of their ID stickers. The problem in California is that they’re too darn small to see from far away or at high speeds. While I’m normally not in favor of the government getting involved in things, requiring all ORVs to have a visible ID with a minimum size and standard location would make them an even better tool for property owners to identify trespassing riders. We should also look to Wyoming’s lead and make trespassing penalties clear so riders think twice before they head off designated trails and onto my land.”

- Mesonika Piecuch, private property owner, Kern County, CA