The Oregon House of Representatives approved HB 2910 A, legislation that seeks to make it easier for Oregonians in rural communities to access rural roadways with all-terrain vehicles in authorized areas. Under current law ATVs are not permitted on state highways, which can prevent Oregonians from accessing their own property if it is separated by a state highway.
 
“This is a simple bill intended to solve a very simple problem,” said Representative Barreto (R-Cove), chief sponsor of HB 2910 A. “Current law makes it unnecessarily difficult, if not impossible, for ATV users to access their own property or public lands if there is a state highway in their path. HB 2910 A would simply establish a process for local jurisdictions to allow limited ATV access on state highways under certain circumstances. The bill includes commonsense safety rules, and I believe would have an immediate positive impact on the lives of Oregon ATV users, and especially those in rural communities.”
 
HB 2910 A is the product of a work group that was commissioned in 2015 to make recommendations for allowing limited operations of ATVs on Oregon state highways. The work group included ATV users, ATV dealers, and staff from the Oregon Department of Transportation, among others. The bill establishes that ATV users may cross highways at intersections or within 100 feet of an intersection. It also provides for an all-volunteer ATV Access Route Advisory Committee to examine proposed ATV access routes and make recommendations to the Oregon Transportation Commission in consultation with local authorities.
 
The bill also requires Oregonians who travel on a state highway ATV Access Route must have a driver’s license or permit, have insurance, and wear a seatbelt if one is available. The bill would also require helmets to be worn when riding on an ATV Access Route, except when simply crossing the highway.
 
HB 2910 A passed the House by a vote of 57-1. The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.