That action sparked an outcry from citizens, and resulted in more than 200 people showing up for the Council's Aug. 5 meeting, with most seeking a repeal of the ban.

What caused the outcry was the vote on July 15 when the full five-member East Peoria City Council unanimously decided to ban any use of ATVs and off-road motorcycles within city limits, even on an owner's own property.

At the Aug. 5 meeting, Bobbie Berryman, secretary for the AMA Community Council-East Peoria, presented the City Council with a petition containing more than 1,000 signatures opposing the ban.

She noted that the signatures were more than a third of the number of voters in April's East Peoria City Council election.

Other testifiers told the East Peoria City Council members that by banning ATV and off-highway motorcycle use they've made criminals out of entire families, even kids who ride small ATVs on their family's property.

East Peoria City Council members refused to repeal the law, but did vote 4-1 to allow ATVs and off-highway motorcycles to be used for property-related chores.

The East Peoria City Council also promised to form a committee of citizens and city officials to study the recreational use of these vehicles on private land, and possibly make recommendations to amend the law.

The new panel is expected to meet at least once before the next East Peoria City Council meeting Aug. 19.

As soon as enthusiasts learned of the ban they contacted the AMA/ATVA, and AMA/ATVA State Programs Development Specialist Terry Lee Cook was immediately dispatched to East Peoria to help organize opposition.

Cook taught enthusiasts how to put together a grassroots organization to fight the ban, and effective techniques for influencing lawmakers or officials.

With Cook's guidance, the enthusiasts formed an AMA Community Council to carry on the fight locally with continued support from the AMA/ATVA Government Relations Department.

© 2003, All Terrain Vehicle Association