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Minnesota lawmakers debated a proposal last week that would allow heavier all-terrain vehicles on public trails.

Under current Minnesota law, ATVs must weigh less than 2,000 pounds. The bill, authored by state Rep. John Burkel, R-Badger, would raise the maximum to 3,000 pounds — roughly the same as a Honda Civic.

Lawmakers have debated similar bills in past years.

On Thursday, Burkel told a House committee the higher limit is needed to keep up with the changing ATV industry and consumer preferences toward larger side-by-side vehicles.

“This means adding cabs, doors and other features for recreating year-round,” he said. The bill also would lift a requirement that ATVs have low-pressure tires, which Burkel said are no longer the norm.

J.R. Burke, a representative from Medina-based ATV maker Polaris, said the company is adding more electric vehicles, which are heavier than their gas-powered counterparts. Most other states have higher weight limits, he said.

“We can’t do cabs, batteries and provide multi-row passenger vehicles under the current weight limit,” Burke said. “It simply is not possible with the technology we have today.”

Families and older people enjoying the sport of ATV riding are helping drive the shift to side-by-side vehicles, said Ron Potter, president of the All-Terrain Vehicle Association of Minnesota. Trail systems allow riders to travel for multiple days, and they prefer to be dry and comfortable on extended trips, he said.

But some environmental groups worry heavier ATVs will increase erosion and damage to public trails.

“Please remember that we are not able to adequately maintain the trails that we have already built,” wrote John Siekmeier, president of the Minnesota chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America. “And we do not have the financial resources required to repair the damage caused by heavier ATVs.”

A few lawmakers also raised safety questions about heavier vehicles.

 in Minnesota. Rollovers are a common cause of injuries and fatalities, especially among younger children riding vehicles too large for them.

“The bigger they are, it becomes very difficult to get them off of people that (they’re) on top of,” said Dr. Charles Jennissen, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at the University of Iowa, who has spent his career focused on preventing ATV injuries and deaths. As a result, they’re more likely to suffer internal organ injuries or traumatic asphyxiation, he said. 

Industry representatives say larger ATVs have more safety features, such as roll bars or cages and seat belts.

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Kirsti Marohn

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The ATV industry says consumer preferences are shifting toward larger side-by-side vehicles. Some environmental groups question whether heavier vehicles could cause more trail damage.

Peter Likes drives an ATV with one of his grandchildren down a trail.

Minnesota lawmakers consider allowing heavier ATVs

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