The Katy Trail and Rock Island Trail

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ATV usage Rock Island Trail

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Quantrill from Holden on 12/22/2016 6:16:02 PM:

The trail should be available for all Missourians. I would be willing to have specified days for ATV's and horses or specified sections of the trail for these special uses. We all pay taxes not just people that ride bikes. On the Rock Island Trail from Windsor to Pleasant Hill I guarantee you no one will be riding a bike. Those that live in the area have horses or ATV's. By not allowing ATV's even on specified days you would be discriminating toward those who want to use the path, paid for by their taxes for horse back riding and ATV's. For all you bleeding hearts an ATV will not tear up a gravel road. Many folks ride their ATV's and Gators into town in these areas and I haven't seen a pothole caused by one yet. Don't worry about me having a flat or running out of gas on my ATV. I'm an old Boy Scout and I'll come prepared and I won't worry about you racking yourself on your bike or having a heat stroke. But, if you do I'll be glad to come pick you up on my 4-wheeler.

rob from southcentral mo on 12/22/2016 6:27:10 PM:

You guarantee that no one will be riding a bike from Windsor to Pleasant Hill? I'll take that bet!

Anonymous on 12/22/2016 8:11:16 PM:

Any other bets that you'd like to loose money on Quantril? It's a good thing you were a Boy Scout, you'll be prepared to fork over the cash and will be friendly, courteous and kind while you do.

Scott from Sw mo on 12/23/2016 7:12:54 AM:

LOL!!

Your a nutter!

George H. on 12/23/2016 5:10:37 PM:

I believe the Rock Island trail will have the same use as the Katy Trail since it will be managed by DNR. Certain sections allow horses but not sure about ATV use.
I would imagine before the trail gets the final limestone chad surface like the KT there will be many ATVs on it and after too. Both are right there should be multiple uses for the trail without tearing it up.

Anonymous on 12/24/2016 12:05:57 AM:

My bet is that the Rock Island will have even more use than the western end of the KATY because of its proximity to Kansas City. For pete's sake - there are 1000s of bike riders in the metro KC area that have been dying for this trail to make its way north to give them more access. Wait until April - May - June and tell me there is no one riding it. Hogwash.

Jon from N Texas on 12/24/2016 4:52:58 PM:

Seems to me, the original poster is most likely trolling, trying to provoke responses. Why post this sort of message on a "Bike" KATY Trail forum?

Be it the KATY, the RIT, or an urban multi-use path, restrictions on motorized access are not unusual. Some trails on public lands in Missouri are open to ATV use. Many trails are closed to cyclists. This is not discrimination. It is designated use.

There is no restriction on people accessing the trail, only their means of access. The argument that paying taxes should grant permission to do as you please on public lands is specious. For example, I cannot ride a skateboard through the public library. I cannot ride a mountain bike in designated Wilderness Areas. I cannot repel off Mount Rushmore. Such activities are not consistent with those facilities.

Likewise, mixed motorized and non-motorized use of the KATY and RIT would be inconsistent with their nature and designated purpose.

The arguments of discrimination and tax-payer rights fall short in making the case for opening these trails to ATV use.

Jon

Anonymous on 12/25/2016 12:12:06 AM:

Well stated Jon!

Rock Island Resident from Holden MO on 12/31/2016 5:36:34 PM:

I live on the Rock Island. Walked my bike through my pasture today and got on the trail to ride for an hour and a half earlier today. The trail goes right through the middle of our farm and I would NEVER,EVER want to see or hear ANY kind of ATV on the trail right in my back yard!!!!! Bike tracks were all over the stretch that I used and the designated use for bikes and horses made for a very pleasant and peaceful ride!!!!
By the way Quantrill, I homeschooled my five children, and still paid my school taxes!!!

Teresa from Kearney mo. on 1/3/2017 6:55:30 PM:

Can someone tell me how to find the trail head in Plesant Hill please? From the North of the River area.
Thanks!

EB from Greenwood on 1/3/2017 6:59:05 PM:

291 South from Lee's Summit. West on 58 highway and the trail head is on the south side next to the Cass County Fair grounds.

Anonymous on 5/26/2018 7:44:17 PM:

The KATY trail is for public use. No one is allowed to us Mt Rushmore.

Matt from Lees Summit on 6/4/2018 4:46:02 AM:

No ATVs, please. I ride my bike on the RIT all the time. Rode P-Hill to Sedalia two weeks ago, the heat index was well into the 90's, no problem.

Ron from Windsor on 6/4/2018 8:14:00 PM:

Taxes also pay for sidewalks, schools, and parks. Don't see any ATV's there do we?

"Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that."
-George Carlin

Cathy from Pittsburgh, PA on 6/4/2018 9:38:12 PM:

Thanks for sharing that quote Ron. That explains a lot.

Debbie from Lincoln, Ne on 6/5/2018 8:37:43 AM:

I ride a trike and my biggest pet peeve of the Katy Trail(rode the entire length), was the ATV and possibly some tractor tire ruts. It is impossible with three different tires on a trike to avoid these ruts. It was bone jarring. I wouldn't mind sharing if the entire trail became asphalt but I think that will never happen due to expenditure. Long live the Katy Trl!

Stickdaddy on 1/9/2019 10:37:32 AM:

I agree with Quantrill, I think we all have a right to use the trail, i responsibly ride 1500 miles a year on gravel roads exploring Mo on a street legal Honda dirtbike and would love to add some sections of these trails to my route. I don't think its a lot to ask to share. I am sure some folks are offended by my motorcycle but I am equally offended by your bicycle as well. So be it. Any motorcycle guys want to schedule a take back of what is equally ours sign me up.

Anonymous on 1/9/2019 1:15:25 PM:

We'll build a wall.

Shutdown the DNR until you pay for it!

Doug on 1/9/2019 4:40:58 PM:

Everyone DOES have the right to use the Katy Tail. Just the same as everyone has a right to use the town swimming pool. Just not on a jet ski or other motorized vehicle.

Anonymous from Hartsburg, MO on 1/13/2019 2:34:59 PM:

Please NO ATVs on either trail. The riders are so low and bothersome and they cheapen everything they touch. Isn't there a quarry somewhere they can destroy? Lets have bikers only.

Stickdaddy from Pacific on 1/30/2019 9:03:46 AM:

"Low and Bothersome" I guess you think your better than others because you ride a bike or hike, were equal don't you know that. I am a respectful motorcycle rider to both humans and the environment and don't tear up anything when I come through I just want to enjoy a day of riding and exploring without having to trailer a bike for 2 hour's each way. When a area gets used for ATVS it does get carved on and I get that, I just would like to see a limited window for us guy's to enjoy what we pay for.

Steve from Kearney mo on 1/30/2019 2:12:14 PM:

Stickdaddy, you are crying to the wrong people. What are you trying to get here? Nothing we say can help you in any way. Have you called your state rep? State parks are governed by state statute not this forum...

Doug from Bluffton on 1/30/2019 9:09:26 PM:

Stick according to Dept. Of Transportation there are 66338 miles of paved roads in Missouri not counting interstates and hundreds of miles of gravel roads in every county. Why do you have to trailer your street legal bike for two hours to reach them? Go ride all the roads you are allowed on and quit griping about what you can't ride on. Like Steve said "You are crying to the wrong people"

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