Soon, off-road enthusiasts will be permitted to use their vehicles on certain streets in Frackville.
Council members voted Thursday night that will eventually allow off-roaders into Frackville. The ordinance creating the regulations for this program passed by a 6-1 vote, with only Councilman Charlie Berger voting against it, wishing to wait for more information on additional streets and trailhead locations to be identified.
Frackville is working in coordination with Famous Reading Outdoors on this initiative.
Council members believe that by allowing off-road vehicles onto Borough streets, their riders will be more inclined to patronize businesses there.
But although the ordinance was adopted on Thursday, it doesn’t mean Frackville is ready to get started right away. Before that happens, the Borough is planning a one-time event to act as a sort of pilot program.
No date has been announced for that. Assuming that goes well, Frackville will then open up streets to off-road enthusiasts on a regular basis.
According to the ordinance passed Thursday, once Frackville fully implements its plan, off-roaders will be permitted to ride on Route 61, Route 924, and E. Oak St. and Morea Rd.
They’ll also be able to travel on streets in the borough, including E. Spring, Cherry, Mahanoy, and Penn streets. Streets that intersect with those borough streets will also be open to riders but riders will have to check an interactive map, according to the ordinance, to see what roads this includes. That map is not yet available.
There will be a 25 mph speed limit in place for off-road vehicles.
ATVs and side-by-side vehicles are among those that will be permitted to ride in Frackville. Snowmobiles will not.
The legislation also regulates who can and can’t ride on the streets.
Riders must have a valid PA driver’s license, insurance, a valid title and registration on their off-road vehicle, as well as a permit from FRO. Passengers aren’t allowed on vehicles unless they’re specifically designed for them.
The ordinance also sets hours that off-road vehicles will be permitted on Frackville streets, once the program is officially implemented:
- January through March: 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
- April through September: 9 a.m. until 8 p.m.
- October through December: 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Violations of the rules of Frackville’s off-road riding ordinance will result in rather stiff penalties, including fines of between $300-500.
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