ATV Road Routes workshop

1. ATV Road Routes workshop Tom Kempke Tim Rohrer This is a guide to what worked for us. Be sure to do your homework. Your State, County and Local regulations many vary. Wisconsin DOT has very strict rules on signage. Refer to the WiMUTCD manual and DNR publications for questions.

2. Take into account • Road Routes are in their infancy in our region, you’ll need to educate the individuals making the decision! • This will not happen over night! • Find the right person to do the presentation • Find the right person(s) to fundraise • Know the facts: Legal, Safety, Statistics, Economics, and Typical Questions • Know the Who, What, Where, When and How’s • Know the difference between City/Town/Village

3. Software Required Software Required • Word • Adobe PDF • Picture editor Where to get maps KettleTrails.com – Links page Wisconsin Detailed Road Maps

4. Example Map for Use Use photoshop or similar software to cut and only show your Town Magenta dashed lines show the Town boarders but they may be cover by roads • KettleTrails.com – Links Page - Wisconsin Detailed Road Maps

5. Create a proposal packet Download file from KettleTrails.com Change the highlighted “ANY town” and “my County” to you the community you are working with.

6. Proposal contents

7. 15. Create a MAP of routes

8. 17. The preferred Ordinance

9. 19. Letters to Officials

10. 22. Sign options

11. Explaining Sign options Edge of Town Act 193 Mark open Roads

12. First Contact BE POLITE AND PROFFESIONAL Don’t argue with people, especially Board members, stick to the facts • Attend the Town Board Meeting • Make sure you sign in • During “Public Comments” or “Future Items” raise your hand to be heard • Introduce yourself and your Club • Give them an overview of your goal • Present the Proposal packet and ask to be on the next months agenda (discussion and possible action) • Answer any early questions • Thank the Board for their time

13. 2nd Meeting - On the agenda • Don’t “fill the room” unless you absolutely must • They will call on you when your turn is up • Have one person present, others don’t interrupt • Tell them your goal and answer any questions • Be polite and proffesional even in the face of argumentative people or confrontational questions • Understand some just don’t want it • Don’t offer bad info or make anything up • Thank the board when your turn is done • Remember – the words you use matter!

14. Common questions ATV’s are not made for the road, it is even printed right on the machine from the factory. How can you say they are safe? In 2008, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) became law. The CPSIA contained a section addressing ATVs that included making the previously voluntary SVIA/ANSI standard mandatory. The SVIA standard includes provisions about warning labels, instructional manuals, and also includes a requirement for warning labels cautioning riders to keep ATVs off of public roads. (Ref. SVIA-1) In 2008 there were no road routes to be considered UTV’s were introduced around 2012. They have mandatory seat belts, roll bars and multi-ply tires are now available. Fastest growing segment.

15. Common questions ATV’s and UTV’s on the roads will have too many accidents. • In 2017 there were nearly 400,000 registered units in Wisconsin but only 27 deaths all year • In the same year under 200,000 registered snowmobiles had 15 deaths in 11 WEEKS • Alcohol is the biggest factor – same as every other car, motorcycle, boat, and snowmobile, this is a culture issue and not exclusive to ATV

16. Common questions • I don’t want kids racing up and down my road. What age can ride and do they need helmets? • Ages 12–18 must wear a helmet • ALL people born after 1988 must have training • Ages 12-16 must be within VERBAL distance of a parent or guardian at all times on road routes • It’s against the law for kids under 16 to drive around a subdivision with the parent in the house

17. Common questions • Is a drivers license or insurance required to ride on the road? • An ATV or UTV is a recreational vehicle and not required by law to have insurance or a drivers license. • Same as a snowmobile, tractor, bicycle, lawn mower or other non-automobiles that use roads • Point out the cost of a UTV and the fact most riders are middle aged and have insurance

18. Common questions • Is the Town liable if there is an ATV crash in the ditch or someone collides with a car? • Proper signage must be maintained • Towns have NO liability issues on designated road routes or trails. • State statute 895.52 protects landowners and townships against lawsuits • This is the same section that covers bicycles, snowmobiles, hunting and camping

19. Common questions How fast are ATV’s allowed to go? • Push for posted speed when presenting • Many police agencies agree that a slower 35mph ATV presents a danger to themselves AND a motorist especially over hills and corners. • At posted speed ATV blends with traffic • ATV’s not capable or safe at the posted speed will slow themselves down

20. Common questions Who pays for signs, puts them up and who is responsible for their maintenance? • The average cost has been about $1500 • Offer the HELP raise money through business • Never put signs up on your own without a local highway department • You need ROW permits from County and State • Have the Town Supervisor sign all the permits and give them copies • This procedure makes the Town responsible for the signs should one be damaged

21. Common questions The Town would like to add extra restrictions like speed limits or requiring a license and insurance. • Towns may add anything to an Ordinance • Promote symmetry from Town to Town • Many police agencies will issue citations but will not pay for lawyers to prosecute extra restrictions outside of the DNR version of an Ordinance

22. 3rd -5th Meeting If the Board agrees to move forward • The Board may schedule a public hearing • After successful public hearing, a vote would be taken at the next Board meeting • The Board may take action immediately or may hold a vote at the next months meeting • The board may want lawyers to review everyhing The Board says not interested • Ask for the reasons but don’t argue • Wait for the next elections or conditions to change

23. Ordinance PASSED now what? • Offer to provide a clean WORD document of the Ordinance, Officials letters and route map Inform the board that you will: • Fund raise to help pay for signs and posts • Count and order signs if needed • Apply for the ROW permits for signs (County & State) • Meet with their highway person • Come back to the Board next month to keep them updated on progress

24. Fund raise to pay for signs and posts • Let businesses know you are raising money for ATV signs “in the area” • Don’t promise it’s ONLY for their town • Towns with many businesses can help fund smaller towns with less funding opportunities • Have fundraisers, brat fry, poker run etc. • Collect donations at the recycling center • Get the Town to commit money or even sign posts • Average cost per Town usually about $1500

25. Count and order State signs • Count State entries • Entry signs must be 36”x 36” • Routes must have 24”x18” route sign and not just an arrow • Route ends must have 12”x9” route sign and the word “end” • 4” x 6” wooden post break away • Create a map for the application

26. Count and Order County signs • Count County entries • Entry signs may be any size • Optional routes may have 24”x18” route sign and/or an arrow • Optional route ends may have 12”x9” route sign and/or the word “end” • 3lb per foot steel posts • Create a map for the application

27. Count and Order Town signs Use caution when counting SHARED roads Place end of route signs on local roads when entering closed ATV Towns (marked by red numbers) Order extra edge of town signs to give the town highway dept.

28. State ROW Permit • Include your map showing only the State signs • Copy of the signed Ordinance • Town Chairman signed application • https://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/formdocs/dt1504.doc Your Name Town Chairman

29. Make sure to include the following: TOWN Chairman signed the application form Copy of your county sign placement Copy of the Board signed Ordinance Be sure to have your name as the contact person Send copies of all documents to the Town County ROW Permit We have processes established in: Fond du lac County Sheboygan County Washington County

30. Ordering Signs • Wording is important (All roads and All town roads) • Don’t use UTV in signage, must be ATV only • Sizes for State signs is critical • County and Local signs more flexible (size and design) • Green background with white is required • We use BCE Industries for signs (608-240-5207)

31. Signs arrive – Let’s put them up • DIGGERS HOTLINE 1-800-242-8511 • Do you have ALL your signs? • Do you have enough posts ordered? • Are the ROW permits are approved? • Schedule with the local highway person • You “volunteer” to help them install signs • Typical install about 5 hours DO NOT ATTACH ANYTHING TO EXISTING SIGNS

32. Equipment Needed • Post hole digger for wood posts • 3/8” x 3” long lag bolts for state signs in wood • 1-1/2” drill to put break away holes in wood • Saw to cut off extra length of wood posts • 3-1/2” Dia Post driver for steel posts • 5/16” x 1-3/4” bolts with 2 washers per bolt and nylock nuts. (Adjust length to your posts) • A level to be sure all installs are straight • Wrenches and drivers for all the hardware

33. Sign Guide

34. Sign Guide

35. Sign Guide

36. After signs are complete

37. Thank You Enjoy your Road Routes Join a local club