By Robert Adams
Sedona AZ (November 5, 2016) – Many Sedona citizens are becoming increasingly alarmed by the recent onslaught of all terrain vehicles (ATV’s) accessing the National Forest through their residential neighborhoods. Impacts include noise levels well beyond those allowed by city code, speeding and reckless driving. Residents of several neighborhoods that provide direct access to the National Forest have joined together to urge the city to prohibit ATVs from using city streets in residential areas. “It is like living next to a race track”, says Eric Shrode, president of the Broken Arrow Civic Improvement Association.
In the last several years, companies that offer rentals of ATVs have proliferated in Sedona. There are more than 3000 miles of Coconino National Forest four-wheel drive motorized recreational roads available in the Sedona area. The three residential communities of Broken Arrow, Soldiers Pass and Dry Creek bear the burden of the ATV traffic that accesses the forest. “There needs to be a balance of accommodating the people that visit Sedona and how they impact the quality of our citizen’s lives”, continues Shrode. “The increased traffic, noise and safety concerns about ATV’s on city streets needs to be addressed by our city government”.
SAFETY
An overwhelming number of ATV safety experts, organizations and manufactures warn that ATV vehicles are not safe to be driven on paved public streets. The Consumer Foundation of America states “ATV’s are not designed to be operated on public roads. The high center of gravity, the narrow wheelbase and low pressure tires are a major safety concern on paved roads”.
NOISE
With increased ATV traffic comes increased noise. Many of the ATV rental companies in Sedona are offering larger and more powerful machines to their clientele. Some of these vehicles have 75 horsepower engines that can approach 100 db sound levels at high rpm. Oftentimes, multiple vehicles are converging on the forest at the same time, increasing the overall sound levels.
OVERSIGHT AND MANAGEMENT
At the present time, there is only one ATV rental company that provides oversight and management of their vehicles while they are on the road. Most vehicles are released to drivers that may have little or no experience at operating these powerful and dangerous machines. In a majority of cases, there is no company representative that oversees speeding, reckless driving, use of alcohol or noise control while these vehicles are being operated.
The residents of the Broken Arrow, Soldiers Pass and Dry Creek neighborhoods have created a petition that urges the City of Sedona to prohibit ATVs from utilizing city owned streets in residential neighborhoods. Arizona State law allows for cities to restrict the operation of these types of vehicles within city boundaries. We urge you to join us in our efforts to preserve and protect the sanctity of our neighborhoods by visiting our informative and educational webpage at peacefulsedona.com and click on our petition at change.org
10 Comments
As citizens of Sedona, we need to reclaim our community from this ever-increasing threat to our environment, our neighborhoods and our peace of mind. The invasion of ATVs on our residential streets and communities will only increase if we don’t do something to protect our rights as citizens and property owners. The very character of Sedona as one of the most beautiful places in the country is at risk. We need to protect her from the detrimental effect of this unregulated ATV traffic though our once peaceful community. The unrestrained rights of the few who would drive these dangerous noise machines through our neighborhoods cannot be allowed to prevail over the rights of the vast majority of Sedona residents to live a peaceful life in their homes and neighborhoods. We have a choice to decide what we value as a community and preserve and protect our precious beauty and lifestyle for all to enjoy. Visit PeacefulSedona.com to learn more about the problem and more important, the remedy.
I do not disagree with your overall comment, but please do not use the word “dangerous” as they are quite safe when used as prescribed. Like anything else, cars, motorcycles, planes or boats, they are “dangerous” if not used according to the specifications of the vehicle.
Hi Michael,
“dangerous when used improperly” I agree with that.
Many ATV rental drivers are so uninformed that they probably don’t even know when they are using the vehicle improperly.
I agree that ATV’s have nuisance noise levels and something needs to be done. However, you do yourself and the cause a great disservice with this hysterical and bogus statement:
“An overwhelming number of ATV safety experts, organizations and manufactures warn that ATV vehicles are not safe to be driven on paved public streets. “
Hi Paul,
I’m glad you brought up a comment about the safety issue. Please visit the website http://www.peacefulsedona.com section on Safety and read the research. Go to the linked sites where information can be verified. See for yourself:
Also for very detailed information, download the Research Paper at :
I hope it’s not a disservice because I’m quite sure it’s not hysterical or bogus. Let me know what you think after reading further. I value your opinion because you brought up a good point and are rightly skeptical of general statements. In this weird political time we’re going through, the truth is being overwhelmed by distortions and hyperbole.
After reading the research, do you recommend a quote that would be better than:
“An overwhelming number of ATV safety experts, organizations and manufactures warn that ATV vehicles are not safe to be driven on paved public streets. ”
Let us know,
Thanks Paul,
Jerry
We have a Chamber of Commerce that is receiving over $2 MILLION from the city to promote Sedona. The majority of other cities receive ZERO from their respective city governments. If you go to Colorado, like Silverton and others, ATVs, jeep tours etc. are a huge source of revenue not only for the recreational industry, but the hotels and restaurants and shops. We live in a gorgeous area, but when you want the revenue you get the things you do not like from people who do not live here that goes along with it.
It is not their fault, other than walking and hiking and taking a few photos what other options are there? You can only go to so many galleries and many people can do that where they come from. So the question becomes how can you create the balance and not fight the strong hotel lobby that has the Chamber in their pocket?
Let’s look at Silverton, CO, where I spent 9 days. There are SPECIFIC ATV routes in the city, small city, one main road and one side road. We have two main roads. ATVS are not permitted in any residential area UNLESS the ATV is owned by a resident. And the number of ATVs there makes what he have a kindergarten.
What is different here is that forest service access is through some of our residential areas.
Recommendation: This is going to effect a lot of people and businesses if we get stupid with this and have a knee jerk reaction.
1: Training of the rider – when you rent, you are schooled on where to go, how fast to ride especially in residential neighborhoods and limit or NOT use music. If there are audio systems on these vehicles, DEACTIVATE them, don’t even offer the option. Want to play music, sit in your car.
2: A noise ordinance could be passed that requires a muffler that suppresses the output on these ATVs to a specific db level. A cost of doing business. I know that more restrictive mufflers are available, I put one on mine as I did not like the noise.
We need to sit down with the ATV owners, address the issue and fix it. This is not a panic deal, and overreaction is exactly what you do NOT want to do.
Michael,
I like the example that Silverton sets. Designated areas where ATVs can and cannot go.
Regarding your recommendations
1. No matter how much training the ATV riders is given by the rental companies, there is still no monitoring their behavior once they leave the rental lot. I like your idea of Deactivating audio systems.
2. While muffler suppression is better than none, it still only reduces noise around 5-7 decibels.
This would bring 100db which is 16 times louder that the City Code permits down to 93 decibels which is 9-10 times louder. Still no real solution to the sound problem
I agree that we must come to a sensible solution. I like what Silverton did as an example. Thanks for your informed comments
Jerry, if you criticize ATV’s for excessive noise, then I’m COMPLETELY onboard. They are ridiculously loud! Something about that needs to be done. But if you criticize them for safety, then you lose me. That is a hysterical and bogus issue. Please don’t do that, because you lose credibility. Yes, the ATV manufacturers and interest groups say not to drive them on paved roads. However, you fail to mention that what they mean is don’t drive them on paved roads with off-road tires. The ATV companies in Sedona use road tires on the vehicles, which makes them safe on paved roads. They also have a DMV license tag for on-road use. They don’t want to get sued to oblivion for unsafe practices do they? So please eject the safety nonsense and I will support your group.
If this piece was written by the same Robert Adams who used to be mayor and who continually voted to blow bulk $ on tourism promotion, then it’s a hilarious irony. Serves you right, Rob!
As Mr. Natural said, “He who sh*ts in the road will meet with flies upon his return.”
Off Road vehicles should be banned on trails within Sedona City Limits. Plain and simple. The reasons should be obvious. Besides the noise pollution, off road vehicles degrade the environment, and create hazards to hikers and bicyclists. Why should the vast majority of residents and visitors alike have to put up with their use in Sedona? Anybody have one good reason? Thank you, Mr. Adams for writing this, and Jerry for taking a stance on this important issue, and Mr. Shrode for creating the petition, which if enforced would be a step in the right direction.