NEWPORT, Vt. (AP) — The first season allowing all-terrain vehicles on the streets of the northern Vermont city went well, the police chief said.
Chief Travis Bingham made the comments Friday, the day after the region’s ATV trails closed for the season.
The Caledonian Record reports the season opened May 15 under a new ordinance that allowed access by ATVs to downtown and on main roads leading to trails in and out of the city.
“Was it perfect?” Bingham said. “No. Nothing is perfect.”
Bingham said almost all of the incidents handled by police involved ATV riders who were traveling on streets that are not open to ATVs.
Both Bingham and Newport Mayor Paul Monette said ATV tourists visited the area and spent money.
Monette said the new ATV season came “at the right time” with the pandemic affecting the economy in other ways.
The Newport Downtown Association reported local businesses saw a moderate to big increase in business on weekends from ATV riders.
“When you see eight to 10 ATVs parked outside Hoagies, you know they are probably eating there,” Monette said, referring to a local restaurant.
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