When the clock strikes midnight on Jan. 1, 2022 and people are celebrating the new year all across Alaska, a new state law will go into effect. It will become legal to drive ATVs on Bethel’s state roads, including Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway, for the first time.
The new state law, signed by Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer back in October 2020, will allow ATVs on all state roads. That’s unless a municipality has forbidden them, which Bethel has not. Bethel’s municipal code already allows for ATVs on city-owned roads. Now, come Jan. 1, ATV drivers will also be allowed on state-owned roads.
ATVs include four-wheelers and other “all purpose vehicles.” That designation does not include snowmachines.
ATV drivers and passengers must still follow certain rules when driving on state roads. First, all ATVs need to be fully equipped. That means they must have a headlight on the front. On the rear, the ATV must have a red light, a red reflector, and a brake light. The ATVs also need to have brakes, a muffler, a carburetor, and a throttle.
The ATV driver needs to hold a valid driver’s license and have insurance. And the vehicle needs to be registered and have license plates.
Finally, the driver does not need to wear a helmet, but the passenger does. If the passenger is a young child, they need to be secured in a child’s seat.
There are a number of other state-owned roads in Bethel where it will become legal to drive ATVs. Those include First Avenue, BIA Road, Standard Oil Road, Front Street, and Hangar Lake Road.
