New London resident cites UW economic impact study
By Robert Cloud
During public comment at the Sept. 24 meeting of New London’s Economic Development Committee, advocates for allowing ATVs on city streets spoke in favor of a proposed ordinance.
Jim Hoffman told the committee that ATV/UTV riders were for the most part responsible people.
He said the city can deal with people who abuse their right to operate ATVs on public streets the same way it deals with people with loud exhausts or who speed.
“We will self-police,” according to Adam Dobbert. “If we see wrongdoing, we’re going to report it.”
He noted that while the west side of Waupaca County has opened its roads to ATV/UTV traffic, several towns and cities in the east have not.
New London, Clintonville, Caledonia and Mukwa are among the municipalities that have not passed ordinances.
Ald. John Faucher suggested the ATV/UTV riders have a public relations problem.
He noted 85% of area residents do not own an ATV.
He also noted ATVs have stickers that say they are not safe for use on pavement.
Faucher said the public perceives ATVs as another noise problem on city streets.
Economic study cited
Ellen Crabbe, a New London resident, described a University of Wisconsin economic impact study of recreational vehicles.
Called “Motorized recreation in trailside communities,” the study focused on Cheese Country Trail that runs from Monroe to Belmont and Mineral Point through scenic rural areas.
“They found that two-thirds of users of that trail were non-local,” Crabbe said. “Typically, they used the trail from a period of between the holidays of Memorial Day and Labor Day.”
She said the average age of ATV/UTV riders was in the mid-40s with above average incomes.
She said the average amount spent on a trip was between $175 and $220, mostly in restaurants and motels.
“They found that during a 12-month period, the impact was $15 million and $13 million of that amount was from non-local users,” Crabbe said.
The study found users of motorized recreational vehicles supported 190 local jobs and resulted in $3 million in employee compensation.
Crabbe recommended the city create a committee to develop a plan for motorized recreation.
The plan should review where people park, where are the restaurants and what are the destinations.
Committee member David Asman described Crabbe’s recommendation as a good idea.
Chair Dave Morack said the committee would discuss it further at a future meeting.