[at-l] Fwd: Snowmobiles - LONG

[nealb@midlandstech.com (William Neal)]

There is a rough rule of thumb of law that says pedestrians always have the
right of way even when they are breaking the law.  People who hit
pedestrians are not let off because someone jay walked (and thus broke the
law).  They are let off because of extenuating circumstances (someone walked
in front of them and they could not avoid them).  Pedestrians move slower
and are more vunerable to injury and thus they have the right of way.  Which
is why many municipalities have laws against anyone using bikes, skates,
skateboards, etc. on sidewalks.  And in the event they do not, it is one of
the reasons civil courts tend to side with pedestrains in lawsuits.

What has this to do with snowmobiles?  Snowmobiles, ATVs, etc. (if there is
an etc.) increase the danger to hikers (LD or day trippers) -- whether it is
danger through hitting them, causing damage to trails, causing land/snow
slides, etc.

Also, when one takes into consideration the numbers, proabably there are
more walkers and potential walkers than there are ATVers or Snowmobilers.

And last, damage caused by walkers is less than damage caused by ATVers and
snowmobilers per incident: My feet and hiking stick do less damage than a
motor powered tread.

William, The Library Turtle

-----Original Message-----
From: Bob C. [mailto:ellen@clinic.net]
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2002 9:45 PM
To: Jim and/or Ginny Owen
Cc: at-l@backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [at-l] Fwd: Snowmobiles - LONG


"...Bottom  line  is  that  I've  seen  a  whole lot of emotional,
self-serving,
ignorant  whining on this subject, but I have yet to see a single LOGICAL
REASON
for  banning  the  snowmobiles.  Every  argument that's been advanced
reduces to
either "because I want them banned" or just plain ignorance. Or some
combination
thereof." thinks Jim.

 Let's start with noise and pollution, which are facts, not whining. Add
changes
 to  the  habitat of wildlife, which most wildlife specialists see as
harmful in
 the  long  run.  And  finally  changes to the landscape. Ice and compacted
snow
 remains  longer  on  snowmobile  trails than in the woods. Creatures and
plants
 adapted to "natural" conditions are suddenly faced with unnatural
conditions.

 And Jim, of course, wildlife is impacted by the presence of humans -- even
wild
 humans. Snowmobiles extend the season of impact.

 Weary,  who  argues  against "emotional, self-serving, ignorant whining on
this
subject," regardless of where it comes from.