(A) Intent. It is the intent of this section to supplement M.S. §§ 84.81 through 84.928 and Ch. 169, as they may be amended from time to time, with respect to the operation of snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles. Such statutes are incorporated herein by reference. (The references to snowmobile enforcement are intended to be more restrictive than state statute.)
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE. Any self-propelled vehicle used for recreational purposes, including, but not limited to, trail bike, or other all terrain vehicle, or motor vehicle licensed for highway operation which is being used for off-road recreation.
DEADMAN THROTTLE or SAFETY THROTTLE. A device which when pressure is removed from the engine accelerator or throttle, causes the motor to be disengaged from the driving mechanism.
NATURAL TERRAIN. Areas other than roadways or driveways (private or public), parking lots and other areas the surface of which has been intentionally modified for motor operation thereon.
OPERATE. To ride in or on and control the operation of a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle.
OPERATOR. Every person who operates or is in actual physical control of a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle.
OWNER. A person, other than a lienholder having the property in or title to snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle entitled to the use or possession thereof.
PERSON. Includes an individual, partnership, corporation, the state and its agencies and subdivisions, and any body of persons whether incorporated or not.
SNOWMOBILE. A self-propelled vehicle designed for travel on snow or ice steered by skies or runners.
(C) Restrictions.
(1) Snowmobiles. Except as herein specifically permitted and authorized, it is unlawful for any person to operate a snowmobile within the limits of the city. A snowmobile may be used on the portion of any right-of-way of any public highway, street, road, trail or alley, and may in passing or making a left turn operate on other lanes which are used for vehicle traffic in the same direction, for purposes of going to or returning from a non-highway area of permissible operation, by the most direct route. Snowmobiles may also be operated upon the ditch bottom or the outside bank of trunk, county state aid and county highways where such highways are so configured within the corporate limits. Snowmobiles are strictly prohibited from operation on the following:
(a) On a public sidewalk provided for pedestrian travel;
(b) On boulevards within any public right-of-way;
(c) On private property of another without specific permission of the owner or person in control of said property; or
(d) On any other public place, except as may be specifically permitted by other provisions of the city ordinances.
(2) All-terrain vehicles.
(a) Except as herein specifically permitted and authorized, it is unlawful for any person to operate an all-terrain vehicle not licensed as a motor vehicle within the limits of the city without a valid driver’s license, current Minnesota state registration and insurance. This insurance will include, at a minimum, bodily injury and property damage.
1. Alleys shall be used in all instances of travel unless there is no other way to arrive at the destination without using a street.
2. All-terrain vehicles will take shortest route to and from their destination.
3. All-terrain vehicles must not exceed more than ten mph within the city.
4. All-terrain vehicles entering the city from East or West MN-19 should exit onto the nearest alley.
5. No riding on city parks, the levee or the levee slopes.
6. All-terrain vehicles traveling in the city shall not be permitted in groups of more than two and when so will travel behind one another.
(b) All-terrain vehicles are strictly prohibited from operation on the following:
1. On a public sidewalk provided for pedestrian travel;
2. On boulevards within any public right-of-way;
3. On private property of another person without specific permission of the owner or person in control of said property; and
4. On any other public place, except as may be specifically permitted by other provisions of the city ordinances.
(D) Crossings. A snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle may make a direct crossing of a street or highway or freeway providing:
(1) The crossing is made at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the direction of the street or highway and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing;
(2) The snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle is brought to a complete stop before crossing the shoulder or main traveled way;
(3) The driver yields the right-of-way to all on coming traffic which constitutes an immediate hazard;
(4) In crossing a divided street or highway, the crossing is made only at an intersection or such street of highway with another public street or highway; and
(5) If the crossing is made between the hours of one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise or in conditions of reduced visibility, only if both front and rear lights are on.
(E) Traffic ordinances. City traffic ordinances shall apply to the operation of snowmobiles or all-terrain vehicle upon streets and highways, except for those relating to required equipment, and those which, by their nature, have no application.
(F) Yielding. No snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle shall enter any intersection without yielding the right-of-way to any vehicles or pedestrians at the intersection, or so close to the intersection as to constitute an immediate hazard.
(G) Persons under 18; snowmobile operation.
(1) No person under 14 years of age shall operate on streets or the roadway surface of highways or make a direct crossing of a trunk, county state-aid, county highway or city street as the operator of a snowmobile.
(2) A person 14 years of age or older, but less than 18 years of age, may operate a snowmobile on streets and highways permitted under this section and make a direct crossing of such streets and highways only if he or she has in his or her immediate possession a valid snowmobile safety certificate issued by the Commissioner, as provided by M.S. § 84.872, as it may be amended from time to time.
(H) Prohibited activity. It is unlawful for the owner of a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle to permit the same to be operated contrary to the provisions of this section.
(I) Operations.
(1) It is unlawful for any person to operate a snowmobile within the limits of the city:
(a) At any place, while under the influence of alcohol or drugs as defined in M.S. § 169.121, as it may be amended from time to time, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference;
(b) At a rate of speed greater than ten mph in city limits, except on the levee, designated trail or city park;
(c) At any place in a careless, reckless or negligent manner or heedlessly in disregard to the rights or safety of others, or in a manner so as to endanger or be likely to endanger or cause injury or damage to any person or property;
(d) During the hours from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. of any day, closer than 100 feet to any dwelling which is usually occupied by one or more persons;
(e) So as to tow any person or thing, except through use of a rigid tow bar attached to the rear of the snowmobile or recreational motor vehicle; and
(f) Within 100 fee of any fisherman, pedestrian, skating rink or sliding area where the operation would conflict with use or endanger other persons or property.
(2) It is unlawful for any person to operate an all-terrain vehicle not licensed for highway use.
(J) Equipment. It is unlawful for any person to operate a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle any place within the limits of the city unless it is equipped with the following:
(1) Standard mufflers which are properly attached and which reduce the noise of operation of them alter to the minimum necessary for operation. No person shall use a muffler cutout or by-pass, straight pipe;
(2) Brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold the snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle under any condition of operation;
(3) For snowmobiles only a safety or so-called “deadman” throttle in operating condition;
(4) When operated between the hours of one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise or at times of reduced visibility, at least one clear lamp attached to the front, with sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 100 feet ahead during the hours of darkness and under normal atmospheric conditions. Such head lamp shall be so aimed that glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of an oncoming snowmobile or recreational motor vehicle operator. It shall also be equipped with at least one red tail lamp having a minimum candle power of sufficient intensity to exhibit a red light plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear during hours of darkness under normal atmospheric conditions; and
(5) Reflective material at least 16 square inches on each side, forward of the handlebars, or steering device of snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle at the highest practical point on any towed object, as to reflect light at a 90-degree angle.
(K) Removal of keys. Every person leaving a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle on a public place shall lock the ignition, remove the key and take the same with him or her.
(L) Emergencies. Notwithstanding any prohibitions in this section, a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle may be operated on a public thoroughfare in an emergency during the period of time when such emergency has been declared by the designated official.
(M) Animals. It is unlawful to intentionally drive, chase, run over or kill any animal with a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle.
(N) Penalties. Every person convicted of a violation of any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine and/or sentence not to exceed $1,000 and/or incarceration not to exceed 90 days.