While new state regulations allowing all-terrain vehicles on public roads took effect Jan. 1, a section of Palmer city code enacted in 1993 negates the new state law, meaning ATV use on public roads within Palmer city limits is still illegal.
PALMER, Alaska - The City of Palmer posted on social media last week that it would be “opting out” of theallowing all-terrain vehicles on public roads that took effect Jan. 1. The post was meant to serve as a reminder but came across as a declaration because of the language used.
“Opt-out is kind of a strange phrase,” Mayor Steve Carrington of Palmer said. “I would have preferred we would have just reminded people that you’re still not supposed to ride ATV’s or snowmachines on the Palmer city streets.” Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration announced a new regulation back in October that allows ATVs to drive on state roads with speed limits of 45 miles per hour or less. The regulation was largely aimed to legally provide means of travel in Alaska villages, where residents have been riding them regardless of the pre-existing state law.