The city of Chadron may...or may not...join the list of Nebraska cities passing ordinances allowing ATV's to drive on city streets.

The legislature passed a law last year allowing limited street use of ATV's, and City Manager Sandy Powell says that led a group of Chadron residents to come forward with the proposed ordinance, based on those used by other communities including Crawford, Hemingford, and Rushville.

Unfortunately, the state law bans ATV's from traveling on or even crossing highways with more than 2 lanes...and both Highways 20 and 385 have turning lanes as they go through Chadron. Powell says that severely limits what a city ordinance could do.

Powell recommended to the ATV supporters and the council that the proposed ordinance be defeated on final consideration, and that the supporters then tell State Senator LeRoy Louden and others the problems that led to the defeat.

Those wanting to be able to take ATVs on the streets include a number of businesses that use them as tractors or snowplows, but have to move them from location to location by trailer. They said it would be a lot cheaper if they could just drive the ATVs from job to job.