Off-road vehicles must remain there; not allowed on Chickamauga streets

photo Kyle Veazey's request that Chickamauga grant the use of off-road vehicles on city streets was denied by the City Council for safety reasons.

Chickamauga's Kyle Veazey likes taking his four-wheeler out for a ride. But he doesn't want those rides to be confined to the woods, he would like to be able to hit the suburban "trail."

"I got a sticker [permit] and I was riding around a neighborhood and I got pulled over by Walker County police," Veazey told Chickamauga City Council members at their most recent meeting. "My four-wheeler is being housed now. In Title 40 Article 5A it says that towns can adopt ordinances for off-road vehicles. Municipalities can operate off-road vehicles.

"Basically, I'm asking you to allow off-road vehicles in the city."

Police Chief Michael Haney said City Manager John Culpepper, who is out of town, has expressed concerns over safety issues with off-road vehicles on city streets. Haney said golf carts are the only ones allowed on roads.

"Four-wheelers don't have the right tires for roads," said Haney. "The vehicles must meet DOT requirements. We can't allow four-wheelers on roads."

He said the vehicle's suspension alone can cause the ATV to flip on asphalt, since it is not the intended surface for the off-road vehicle.

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