Manitowoc County officials have chosen to delay immediate action and extend their deliberations on a proposed ordinance that would open county-maintained highways to all-terrain vehicles and utility terrain vehicles. The decision to take additional time allows supervisors to continue refining the draft legislation to ensure it thoroughly addresses both regulatory details and community concerns.
The draft ordinance, which was formally presented before the Manitowoc County Board during its meeting on September 15, outlines a plan to designate all county highways as authorized travel routes for ATVs and UTVs. If approved in a future session, the measure would mark a major shift in how off-road vehicles are integrated into the local transportation system across the county.
The push to open roadways to off-road vehicles stems from sustained advocacy by local community members and organized recreational ATV associations. For an extended period, riders and enthusiast groups have actively urged county leadership to establish a coherent, countywide framework that permits legal and convenient travel across local road networks.
While the countywide policy remains under active development, several individual municipalities located within Manitowoc County have already moved forward with their own distinct rules. Local governing bodies in the city of Kiel, as well as the rural towns of Newton and Two Creeks, have already adopted local measures that grant ATVs and UTVs permission to travel on streets within their municipal boundaries.
However, the expansion of off-road vehicle road access has not received universal support across the region. The nearby city of Two Rivers evaluated a comparable measure back in 2022, but municipal officials there ultimately rejected the proposal after weighing potential community impacts and traffic safety concerns.
A primary consideration leading to the rejection in Two Rivers was the heightened anxiety surrounding alcohol consumption and impaired driving on public roadways. Under broader Wisconsin state statutes, individuals operating ATVs and UTVs are permitted to carry open containers of alcohol, a statutory allowance that prompted significant apprehension among municipal leaders.
In light of these widespread safety concerns and previous debates, the draft ordinance currently under review by the Manitowoc County Board includes several stringent regulatory requirements intended to prevent reckless behavior and maintain order on county roads.
Among the core requirements laid out in the proposed county measure is a strict age and credential threshold for operators. Under the proposed rules, only individuals who are older than 16 years of age and in possession of a valid driver's license would be legally permitted to operate an ATV or UTV on designated county highway routes.
In a direct departure from the more lenient statewide regulations regarding beverages, the county proposal explicitly forbids open intoxicants during vehicle operation. This rule is designed to directly mitigate fears regarding drunk driving and ensure that operators comply with standards similar to standard motor vehicle operations.
In addition to operator qualifications, the draft ordinance sets clear equipment and roadworthiness standards that all vehicles must meet before entering county roadways. The regulations specify that all ATVs and UTVs using county routes must be equipped with fully functional turn signals and operating brake lights to ensure clear communication and visibility for all motorists.
County Board President Matthew Phipps remarked that local residents and civic leaders have shown substantial excitement regarding the board's willingness to address the issue and explore permitting ATVs and UTVs on county thoroughfares.
According to Phipps, the discussion has been robust and engaging, with persistent interest expressed by individual residents, recreational clubs, and local town chairmen who want to see the ordinance move forward. He noted that many stakeholders had previously considered highway access to be an unattainable goal, creating a renewed sense of momentum around the current drafting process.
Dylan Hammel, a county board supervisor who serves as chairperson of the Highway Committee, described the comprehensive legwork that has already gone into shaping the current draft. Hammel explained that committee members worked through the policy details over the course of the summer during multiple public meetings that saw strong resident turnout.
Reflecting on the resulting proposal, Hammel characterized the draft ordinance as a balanced and sensible approach that takes traffic safety seriously while expanding personal freedom. He noted that the ordinance aims to give local citizens greater opportunities to enjoy off-road vehicles while firmly upholding safety standards for everyone sharing the roadways.
As county supervisors continue to fine-tune the proposed ordinance in committee and board discussions, the pause reflects an effort to craft a well-rounded policy that harmonizes community interest, rider accessibility, and thorough public safety protections before the measure comes up for a final vote.
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