I share the pain too. Several years ago, we had some dirt bikers/atvers use our private road (no trespassing signs everywhere) to get to the Shenipsit Trail in the Meshomasic. The first time we tried to confront dirt bikers about being on private property, they merely went by us and even gave my mom the finger. The second time, I was alone on the private road, hiking up to the Shenipsit. These dirt bikers were nicer and apologized. They didn't come back, though I think they started to use our neighbor's private road up the street. It got so bad with the dirt bikers and ATVers that we had to spend thousands of dollars putting up locked farm gates all the way up to the Shenipsit. However, this has cut down the motor traffic on the Shenipsit, and erosion has been lessened.

I wish there were more "no motorized traffic" signs on the trails. It would give us a little leverage when they say, "Oh we didn't know that we couldn't ride here...".

Grrr... sigh

BB

I wish there were more "no motorized traffic" signs on the trails. It would give us a little leverage when they say, "Oh we didn't know that we couldn't ride here...".

You have all the leverage you need. Riding an ATV is not like walking, where it's OK if you are on private property unless posted "no trespassing." Under state law, all ATV riders are required to carry written permission from the property owner allowing them to ride on the property, unless they own the property. $250 fine right there. Further, if they are riding someplace other than their own private property, even a friend's property, they are required to register their vehicle. That means plates. Another $250 fine. Here are the laws: http://www.cga.ct.gov/2010/rpt/2010-R-0442.htm.

Also, under a relatively new CT "Encroachment Law," owners of conservation law (towns, land trusts, etc.) can file a civil suit against someone for riding on their property, even if no damages can be proven (damage is assumed). The court may award up to $5,000 in punitive damages, plus the costs to repair the land (if applicable), plus all attorney's fees. The biggest obstacle to filing a lawsuit is a lack of evidence, because the landowner does not live out there in the trees. That's where your pictures and video come in.

I know it would suck to have to spend more money, but I bet you could buy more of those signs online. Just a thought! :)

-gollygee

I know it would suck to have to spend more money, but I bet you could buy more of those signs online.

They just rip signs down, then pretend they didn't know they couldn't ride there because there was no sign. Signs don't work. Cameras do.

These kids MOVED BRIDGES. A sign is nothing for the strength of the male teenager. Arrr!

In Shelton this year we had some ATVers create a vast trail system on some conservation lands that previously had no trails. I wheeled off the distance of the paths (1.25 miles) and multiplied by the average width of the trail tread (6 feet) and came up with nearly an acre of trail tread. People were in there with chain saws and possibly heavy equipment for moving large boulders. And then over 100 trees were then spray painted with smiley faces and such.