I've just been grumbled at because, when passing a local lifestyler on their ATV (four-wheeled farm bike), I made them dusty. Now although we all bemoan the appalling state of the northern roads in the Super City, I'm sure I'm not responsible for their dustiness. What does concern me, though, is the actual status of these ATVs. I've often come across this particular one well after dusk, driving without lights. And, generally, they don't seem to be equipped with indicators - nor do rear-view mirrors seem to be fitted. One can travel a long time behind one before the driver/rider becomes aware they're not alone. I imagine that they aren't warranted or registered for road use. So what's their status on our roads? Are they actually allowed on them? And what would be the insurance risk in an accident? A little dust seems the least of all our concerns.
Barry Read, North Auckland.
This is a complicated one, but the AA and the Transport Agency put their heads together and came up with this answer.
"Like a moped there is no current requirement for an ATV to have a warrant of fitness. However, there is a responsibility for owners to maintain their vehicles in a roadworthy condition.
"At the end of the day these vehicles are not designed for on-road use apart from a farmer for example using a road to move from one paddock to another and where the distance travelled is less than 3km."
