So as many are aware there has been an increase in the Rio Grande Valley of Atv/Utvs or side x sides as some may call them. This was a result of the pandemic of 2020 when families were seeking outdoor activities and ways to distract or have a good and wonderful time outdoors with the family. 

The 2020 Pandemic which is still going on when being forced to be inside and have a curfew in some counties and states, can bring on lots of stress and discomfort in the household. Which is why I believe many people purchased side x sides and atvs/utvs to have a different way of relieving stress and enjoying time with the family. 

Now as many may know these aren’t street legal in Texas. In the Rio Grande Valley in particular there is only one park that I’m aware of that is used for this type of outdoor recreation which is Mars off-road Atv park. Now with such an influx in Atv purchases in the Rio Grande valley and Mars being the only Atv/Utv park this park can get old quick. What is the result of this? Unfortunately people turn to public roadways and private canals to explore and use their side x sides and atvs. Some may ask why do people do it if they know it’s illegal? Well human instinct would be to look at other states and realize that more then half of the United States has made Atvs and UTVs street legal in their own way along with different companies that offer kits to make these Off Highway Vehicles street legal. They do this by adding a horn mirrors and turn signals just like a normal car or motorcycle would have.

Off Highway Vehicle -friendly states like West Virginia let OHVs travel city streets on the Hatfield-McCoy trail system, and Utah recently passed a law saying UTVs were legal on every street except Interstates (I-15 and I-70) or in Salt Lake City.

In fact, most states allow counties and towns to set their own standards, and Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Texas, Minnesota, Wyoming, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Montana, North and South Dakota, Washington, Michigan, Kentucky, Nebraska, Ohio, Vermont, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Tennessee and Colorado (HB15-1054) have laws allowing you to street legalize your UTV.

With this being said what we as in all Atv/ Utv owners would like to see is the ability to make side x sides street legal in Texas and Any counties that vote in favor of this movement by adding the necessary accessories as the Texas DMV would require along with the necessary Texas Liability Insurance to travel on public roadways. 

Thank you.