(A) Purpose and intent. The purpose of this section is to provide reasonable regulations for the use of snowmobiles, recreational motor vehicles and/or all terrain vehicles on public and private property in the City of Mapleton.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
DAYLIGHT HOURS. Any time except from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise and at any other time when there not sufficient light to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles at a distance of 500 feet.
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.
DESIGNATED SNOWMOBILE TRAILS. Those trails, on public or private property, that are marked and maintained for the purpose of recreational use by snowmobiles
NATURAL TERRAIN. Areas other than roadways or driveways (public and/or private), parking lots and other areas the surface of which has been intentionally modified for motor vehicle operation thereon.
OPERATE. To ride in or on and control the operation of any vehicle.
OPERATOR. Every person who operates or is in actual physical control of any vehicle.
OWNER. A person, other than a lien holder having the property in or title to any snowmobile, recreational vehicle, and/or all terrain vehicle entitled to use or possession thereof.
PERSON. Includes an individual, partnership, corporation, the State of Minnesota and its agencies and subdivisions, and any body of persons whether incorporated or not.
RECREATIONAL MOTOR VEHICLE and/or ALL TERRAIN VEHICLE (ATV). Not limited to TRAIL BIKES, amphibious vehicles and similar devices other than snowmobiles used at least partially for travel on natural terrain.
RIGHT-OF-WAY. The entire strip of land traversed by a highway or street in which the public owns the fee or an easement for roadway purposes.
ROADWAY. That portion of a highway or street improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel.
SIDEWALK. The portion of a street between the curblines, or the lateral lines of the roadway and the adjacent property lines intended for the use of pedestrians.
SNOWMOBILE. A self-propelled vehicle designed for travel on snow or ice, steered by skies or runners.
STREET. A public thoroughfare, roadway, alley or trail used for motor vehicular traffic which is not an interstate, trunk, county state aid or county highway.
(C) Prohibitions. Except as herein specifically permitted and authorized, it is unlawful for any person to operate a snowmobile, recreational motor vehicle and/or ATV not licensed as a motor vehicle within the limits of the City of Mapleton:
(1) On the portion of any right-of-way of any public highway, street, road, trail or alley used for motor vehicle travel, except that a snowmobile may operate upon the most right hand lane of a municipal street 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 the purpose of going to or returning from a non-highway area of permissible operation by the most direct route;
(2) On privately owned property if the operator has in possession written permission from the property owner; or, on privately owned property if the property owner has posted a clearly visible notice indicating “Snowmobile, Recreational Vehicles and All-Terrain Vehicles Allowed” or words substantially similar;
(3) On playgrounds, school grounds or city parks;
(4) In a manner so as to create a loud, unnecessary or unusual noise which disturbs, annoys or interferes with the peace and quiet of other persons;
(5) On a sidewalk or boulevard, except that a direct crossing may be made in the same manner as provided for the direct crossing of a city street;
(6) Upon a public street within the city limits of the City of Mapleton at any speed in excess of 15 mph;
(7) At any place, and at any time, while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, narcotics or habit-forming drugs;
(8) At any place, and at any time, in a careless, reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property, or to cause injury or damage thereto;
(9) A snowmobile must not be operated with more than 2 adults or 1 adult and 2 minor children at the same time;
(10) So as to tow any person or thing except through use of a rigid tow bar attached to the rear of the vehicle;
(11) In a manner that simulates a race or temporary race, or creates or causes unnecessary engine noise or, in the case of recreational motor vehicles and/or ATV's tire squealing, or causes tires to spin or slide upon the acceleration or stopping of the vehicle(s) to unnecessarily turn abruptly or sway from side to side; and
(12) No person shall drive a snowmobile, recreational vehicle or all-terrain vehicle within 150 feet of any skating rink or sliding area, or in any other area where the operation would conflict with use or endanger other persons or property, except on streets as herein provided, which may pass closer than 150 feet to the area.
(D) Limitation of operations. Snowmobiles, recreational vehicles and all-terrain vehicles may be operated only in the following manner and following locations within the city:
(1) On operator's property, subject to the provisions of this section;
(2) On public trails specifically designated by Council resolution which are subject to the jurisdiction of the city;
(3) On trunk highways, county and state aid roads or county roads as regulated by the State of Minnesota or the County of Blue Earth;
(4) From the owner's residence or place of business or place where the snowmobile, recreational vehicle or all-terrain vehicle is generally stored, in a direct route to and from a place of destination provided the place of destination is a place that the snowmobile, recreational vehicle or all-terrain vehicle may be lawfully operated;
(5) In an emergency during the period of time when and at locations where snow upon the road or street renders travel by automobile impractical; and
(6) Snowmobiles, recreational vehicles and all-terrain vehicles must be operated in a single file in the city.
(E) Street and highway crossings. Snowmobile, recreational vehicles and all-terrain vehicles may make a direct crossing of a street or highway, except an interstate highway or freeway, provided:
(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) No snowmobile, recreational vehicle 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; and
(3) In crossing a divided street or highway, the crossing is made only at an intersection of a street or highway with another public street or highway.
(F) Operation by minors.
(1) Persons under 12 years of age shall not operate on city 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 unless accompanied by their parent(s) or guardian(s).
(2) A person 12 years of age or older, but less than 18 years of age, may operate a snowmobile on streets and highways as permitted under this section and make a direct crossing of the streets and highways only if they are in the immediate possession of a valid snowmobile safety certificate issued by the Highways of the State of Minnesota.
(3) It is unlawful for the owner of any snowmobile to permit the snowmobile to be operated contrary to the provisions of this section.
(G) Traffic regulations. All City of Mapleton traffic ordinances shall apply to the operation of snowmobiles, recreational vehicles and all-terrain vehicles upon streets and highways, except those relating to required equipment, and except those which by their nature have no application.
(H) Minimum equipment requirements. It is unlawful for any person to operate a snowmobile, recreational vehicle and all-terrain vehicle not licensed for highway use, or licensed for highway use when operating on natural terrain within the limits of the City of Mapleton unless it is equipped with:
(1) Standard mufflers which are properly attached and which reduce the noise of operation of the motor to the minimum necessary for operation. No person shall use a muffler cutout, by-pass, straight pipe or similar device on any vehicle motor(s);
(2) Brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold the vehicle motor;
(3) A safety or so-called deadman throttle in operating condition; and
(4) (a) When operated between the hours of 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise or at times of reduced visibility, at least 1 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.
(b) The head lamp shall be so aimed that glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of an oncoming vehicle operator.
(c) It shall also be equipped with at least 1 red tail lamp having a minimum candlepower 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.
(I) Security requirements. Every person leaving a snowmobile, recreational vehicle and/or all-terrain vehicle at a public place shall lock the ignition, remove the key and take same with them.
(J) Emergency use. Notwithstanding any prohibitions in this section, a snowmobile, recreational vehicle or all-terrain vehicle may be operated on a public thoroughfare in an emergency during the period of time when, and at locations where, snow upon the roadway renders travel by automobile impractical.
(Ord. passed 1-6-1998) Penalty, see § 10.99