On TV the other night was a story about ATVs
being allowed on the shoulder of our highways.
I understand that this was a misleading
announcement. It was only meant for communities that had bylaws
to allow this privilege.
My experience with ATVs and dirt bikes has
been nothing but dismal.
I've experienced ATVs going and coming
between Capreol and Valley East on the Suez stretch.
Dust and stones were flying so badly that
visibility is hindered. The speed that some go is faster than
the 80 kilometres allowed on the pavement.
They fear nothing since there isn't a lot of
policing. The damage done to the shoulder needs to be
addressed.
It's bad enough to have snowmobiles
destroying our streets and not abiding by any laws.
I can only urge council not to entertain any
request to have ATVs or dirt bikes on our streets and
highways.
This would be opening Pandora's Box.
We can't handle the anarchy out there now. We
don't have anyone qualified to judge an exhaust system that has
been altered.
Police with their ATVs can't catch the
goblins now since they have these souped-up machines and wreak
havoc usually after dark.
Greater Sudbury should not become a cowboy
town. The economy of the region would not benefit much from
ATVs and dirt bikes.
If we are looking for economic activity,
maybe we can start with Boxing Day shopping.
We are already backwards, so lets not make it
any worse. After we spent $1 billion to four-lane Highway 69,
we don't want visitors to the city to
get passed on the shoulder by a nut case on
an ATV.
Lets think this one out before we jump for a
few votes.
Fred Lammi
Capreol