New Jersey

Matt Manochino

From the sandy soil of the Pine Barrens to wooded ridges along the Delaware, all-terrain vehicle riders once could legally navigate state parks and forests, even if, at times, they left knobby-tire ruts on farms and backyards in their off-road explorations.

By 1985, under pressure from environmentalists and private property owners, New Jersey banned ATVs from parks, forests, utility power line routes and roads. After the ban was largely ignored, a state enforcement crackdown in 2002 led to summonses as well as confrontations between property owners, park police and ATV riders.

Jason Nark

It can be impressive to watch a teenager rip down a Camden side street at 60 mph on a dirt bike, popping a wheelie and wearing no helmet.

It's also illegal, dangerous and frustrating for the residents and police officers who see and hear the off-road vehicles all summer long.

Jane Meggitt

The Roosevelt Borough Council will file complaints against anyone illegally riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on municipal property.

At the May 10 meeting, a New Jersey State Police trooper advised the council on how to take legal action against those riding illegally.

A Ramapough Indian admitted slamming a New Jersey park ranger against an ATV when she tried to arrest him for four-wheel riding.

The incident in Mahwah four years ago led to the fatal shooting of another tribe member.

This is an open letter to Millville city commissioners.

Our position is that you should not make another concession to the New Jersey Motorsports Park by amending the agreement. However, if you decide you are going to amend the MDA to allow an ATV course in the existing park, you owe the residents an explanation and more.

There is a way to give ATV riders a place to ride, allow the state to fulfill its promise to build an ATV course and, at the same time, avoid relocating an ATV course closer to residential neighborhoods.

Problem: ATVers want a place to ride. The state has committed to building a track, but cannot find a location. Millville, in its contract with the New Jersey Motorsports Park, has agreed to locate an ATV course in the city. The Motorsports Park cannot afford to buy the ground set aside for that purpose. The neighbors don't want the ATV course moved closer to them.

Edward Colimore

The legislation was supposed to resolve a long-standing problem: the absence of an off-road recreation park for hundreds of thousands of all-terrain vehicle riders across New Jersey.

Lawmakers and conservationists hoped the measure - signed last month by then-Gov. Jon S. Corzine - would discourage the prohibited use of private land and protected areas such as the Pinelands.

Brenda Holzinger

Off-road vehicles, including ATVs, snowmobiles, and dirt bikes, are now subject to mandatory statewide registration and enforcement measures in New Jersey thanks to legislation passed and signed in the last days of the Corzine administration.

This legislation is the culmination of nearly 10 years of effort, including two final years of intense negotiations between off-road vehicle riders, environmental groups (including the Trail Conference), and the bill sponsors. It was passed with substantial margins-indicating broad support-by the Senate and the Assembly during their final voting sessions in early January. Governor Corzine signed the bill on his final day in office.

Regarding your Jan. 19 editorial, "Regulating ATVs … Better than nothing" and your Jan. 18 story, "State on mark, towns get set for ATV parks":
After years of political debate and government inertia, a law has been signed regarding all-terrain vehicles. The law is absolutely needed and long overdue.

Both the story and editorial also discuss problems with legal riding. The story begins with Mary Champion, who resides in Estell Manor in Atlantic County and is "haunted by horsepower" throughout her home as a result of ATVs in neighboring backyards. Next, your editorial identifies that you have received several letters detailing the problematic noise, nuisance, safety, and "quality of life" issues created by this legal, backyard activity.