FOREST CITY, Pa. — Residents of Forest City and throughout Susquehanna County filled the borough hall to talk about allowing recreational vehicles, like quads and side-by-side, on borough roads.
"This is the third meeting we are having regarding this subject, and I'm actually hoping that this meeting will produce results," said Deanna Flood, Forest City.
"If you want these kids to stop raising hell on their motorbikes, you have to give them something to do or give them an outlet and a place to ride those. If you can't do that, they were going to do what they're gonna do," said Carla Stackhouse, Forest City.
While many of the more than 140 in attendance were for recreational vehicles being allowed on community roads, several spoke against the possible change, citing safety, noise, and other issues they say are already happening with illegal riders.
"Ignorance of the rule just because I bought the machine doesn't alleviate me from having to obey the rules. You should've taken that into consideration before you bought it or budgeted for a trailer," said Eric Burns, Forest City.
Allowing ATVs on public roadways is nothing new in Pennsylvania.
Back in 2020, the city of Shamokin created ordinances allowing travel between a nearby off-road park and certain parts of the city.
Newswatch 16 spoke with Shamokins Mayor Richard Ulrich, who says the city has seen very few problems since recreational vehicles were allowed on its streets.
"For our merchants, the ATVs will come in. They'll eat get supplies that they need so overall it's been very beneficial that way," said Mayor Richard Ulrich, Shamokin.
After the meeting, Forest City Borough Council President Christopher DeGonzague says further meetings will be needed before any decision can be made, "Everybody thinks it's all on us to make the decision it's not. We are a small part. We have to go by what the state says."
Pennsylvania currently says ATVs are not allowed on state roads unless properly marked, but local communities can make their own rules. For a full list of ATV riding rules and enforcement, click here.
Several communities across Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania have already made these kinds of changes for ATV and UTV riders. To learn more, click here.