West Seattle Blog...

WSB Forum » Open Discussion

1. skeeter
   Member Profile

   I saw it again yesterday while sledding in the park. Two ATVs driving down the street. At first I was thinking "Dang, that looks really fun." But then I figured it might be dangerous since they didn't have proper lights and turn signals and so forth.
   At least the riders had helmets and were driving at what appeared to be sane speeds.
   I do have to admit - if I had an ATV in my garage, I don't know if I could resist starting it up and cruising around the neighborhood in the snow. I'm not saying it's ok. I'm just saying I couldn't resist.
   BTW - is it legal to drive a snowmobile on the streets? I don't think so. King 5 had coverage of a guy riding a snowmobile down the street and the news guy seemed to be praising the rider for being clever.

   Posted 4 months ago #         

2. Bostonman
   Member Profile

   Ya I don't think its legal. In Boston I always saw snowmobiles and atv's on the roads in winter.

   Posted 4 months ago #         

3. Laconique
   Member Profile

   Not sure about Seattle itself, but for state of Washington, rules are below. Sounds like may only be legal if the road is officially closed.

   The rules are defined in section 46.10.110 of the Revised Code of Washington, though additional city regulations may apply in some areas.

   Notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 46.10.100, it shall be lawful to operate a snowmobile upon a public roadway or highway:

   •Where such roadway or highway is completely covered with snow or ice and has been closed by the responsible governing body to motor vehicle traffic during the winter months; or

   •When the responsible governing body gives notice that such roadway or highway is open to snowmobiles or all-terrain vehicle use; or

   •In an emergency during the period of time when and at locations where snow upon the roadway or highway renders such impassible to travel by automobile; or

   •When traveling along a designated snowmobile trail.

   I remember those snowmobilers in Boston. They were probably the same people that rode those obnoxiously loud mini-motorbikes in the summer!

   Posted 4 months ago #         

4. JoB
   Member Profile

   do we care if it's legal if there is no traffic on the roads because it's not safe for vehicles out there?

   i will admit to wishing the were doing something humanitarian... but that's my personal bias

   Posted 4 months ago #         

5. munchkin22
   Member Profile

   

   Komo just reported an ATV rider in Issaquah has died due to either a falling tree or ice. Stay on the open roads. We're knocking ice off of our Sunbrella gazebo so it won't collapse and those shards are large and sharp.

   Posted 4 months ago #         

6. skeeter
   Member Profile

   JoB makes a good point. It's very possible these guys were helping out a neighbor or doing something important or time sensitive. As long as they are driving safely and staying off the arterials I don't really see a problem.

   Posted 4 months ago #         

7. YeloRose
   Member Profile

   

   Saw a guy (or gal) go down 42nd near Safeway yesterday on a snowmobile. I was just glad he didn't cause any problems there; the traffic in and out of the Safeway has been pretty constant, but not very heavy.

   Posted 4 months ago #         

8. LAP
   Member Profile

   Two numbskulls riding ATV's in my neighborhood yesterday afternoon while I was shoveling and treating the sidewalks. Actually were riding and behaving like idiots. I think they are the same ones that have those small, low-to-the-ground motorcyles. They ride those around waaaay too fast and with no regard for pedestrians or animals/pets, too - and usually without helmets on. At least they had helmets on yesterday.

   Posted 4 months ago #         

9. redblack
   Member Profile

   

   LAP: one word: darwinism. :)

   Posted 4 months ago #         

10. anonyme
    Member Profile

    I saw one ATV being driven in a sane manner today. However, several jackasses on snowmobiles and ATV's were tearing up and down Arbor Heights streets yesterday, deliberately spinning out on 35th where there were other vehicles as well as pedestrians. They almost collided with a pickup, and another vehicle was forced to pull over to avoid an accident. Darwinism - yes. Unfortunately, these numbnuts are more likely to harm others than themselves.

    Correction: "sane" driver just raced by again. No helmet.

    Posted 4 months ago #         

11. JoB
    Member Profile

    i think the qualifier
    "if there is no traffic on the roads"
    is important

    Posted 4 months ago #         

12. Ames
    Member Profile

    There will always be idiots and non-idiots. I find the low scooters annoying too and they go back & forth up the streets during the summer constantly.

    However, you can hear them, which is better than being surprised by a bicycle in the dark, rain, without any / enough lights or wearing dark clothes. That is more careless than someone on an atv or snomobile. If the streets are empty like they are now, have fun, but be mindful.

    It is possible that an atv / snowmobile is able to assist in critical situations during bad weather. Another city that I lived in about 20 years ago had an awful snowstorm for several days (midwest plains, non-stop wind, several feet of snow, drifts to your roofline, and even the snow emergency routes were only for emergency vehicles.) People with snowmbiles volunteered to pick up hospital staff & patients at their homes and bring to the hospitals because no one was able to drive anywhere. That changed some perceptions.

    Personally, I wouldn't ride them in town and without a helmet. I also wouldn't let my pets run loose. People who do that, and then get mad when their pet is hit or lost, have no one to blame but themself.

    Posted 4 months ago #         

13. philmore33
    Member Profile

    Yeah....I saw those two knuckleheads terrorizing Arbor Heights. They were wearing helmets (I guess that is somewhat safe). Their ATV's sure did look sweet!! I wish I had one just to ride in the snow.

    Posted 4 months ago #         

RSS feed for this topic

Reply

You must log in to post.