Bjorn of Waterville, ME Not all ATV users are the same, but the negative impacts upon the community and environment are the same regardless of the user: increased erosion/runoff, CO2 and 2-stroke air emissions, noise pollution, safety hazards,, etc...report abuse

Al Libby of phillips, ME ATVs have nothing on Snowmobiles. Most ATVs are 4 stroke only a marginal few are 2 stroke and are nowhere near capable of the speeds a sled can achieve with little effort. The sled deaths each year greatly out number the ATV deaths in a season. Most ATVers are respectful and law abiding. There are a few morons out there just as there are in anything. I have a sled/4 wheeler trail right behind my house rarely do I hear the many 4 wheelers but I can tell when there is even one sled on the trail. As for putting a child solo on anything with a motor bigger than 60cc is stupid and reckless on the parents part. I have seen kids on 700s which is more machine then they can handle. There is a warning on the machine that says NO RIDER UNDER 16 for a reason. report abuse

Leon Richard of Farmington, ME And when you become a zero impact resident of the planet earth, you can sit on your throne and issue proclamations on what other people do. In the meantime, all you farting around, talking, watching television, and driving around in your Toyota Pious... Prius... you're as bad as the next guy.

There is no debate over the fact that we're all going to have an impact. We can do thing properly and minimize the damage, and we do generally.

So far as emissions goes... foolishness. Global warming will continue until global cooling begins. Nothing anyone will do wil change it.

Water vapor accounts for 95% of the "greenhouse gasses" in the atmosphere. CO2, methane, and the other gasses account for the other 5%. Mankind is responsible for 20% of that 5%.

So, to do the math for the simple minded... we're yelling and arguing about 1% of the total greenhouse gasses. If you're headed for bankrupcy, cutting your spending by 1% is not going to amount to a thing to prevent that. And that would be eliminated if man's activities ceased entirely.

That would make many of the environmental activitists happy, as they consider man a parastic and foreign invader on the earth anyway. Sick in the head, as sick as the worst environmental offender. report abuse

Leon Richard of Farmington, ME And don't forget the negative effects of comradeship, friendship, community, and family. After all, when we all get together to have a day ride with families and friends, nothing but trouble can come from that. ATV's are as safe as the person riding them. Same thing with guns, cars, cell phones, handkerchiefs, airplanes, and bicycles.

Charity too... nothing but trouble with the Toy Rides, and annual corn field ride in Cambridge raising money for "Make a Wish".

Yeah, those ATV's and ATVers are nothing but trouble.

Ever want to learn something about them, maybe go for a ride, contact me. We'll make it happen. God knows, you might even have fun. report abuse