(The red lines on the map represent the areas in Sault Ste. Marie that ORVs are not allowed to traverse.)
There is good news available for off-road vehicle enthusiasts in Sault Ste. Marie!
The City of Sault Ste. Marie has recently passed an ordinance allowing the use of these recreational vehicles within city limits. This long-awaited change has churned up a lot of excitement among riders, both local and those looking to visit Sault Ste. Marie.
However, before you hop in your side-by-side or on your four-wheeler to cruise to the gas station or to grab a bite to eat downtown, there are a handful of special laws that must be noted in order to operate an off-road vehicle (ORV) on city streets. Drivers must be at least 17 years of age, or at least 12 and under the watch of an adult 18 and over.
As well as following the same traffic laws one would in a car or pick-up truck, ORVs must be operated on the far-right side of the road and not exceed more than 20 mph. Furthermore, they are not allowed to use sidewalks and bike paths.
Riders are to use extra caution on an ORV and must stay on streets and alleys. Private property must be respected, and no trespassing is allowed at all. In addition to private property, there are a handful of other restricted areas ORVs are prohibited from motoring on.
The immediate surrounding areas of Lake Superior State University and War Memorial Hospital are off-limits for ORVs. Likewise, Interstate-75 and its access ramps are not ORV friendly. The entirety of Ashmun Street also will not be accessible for ORVs too. This includes the I-75 Business Spur and the turn-off to M-129. Marquette Avenue and Easterday Hill round out the list of restricted areas.
For a full detailed and interactive map of the city streets that ORVs are banned from visiting, please visit our Google Map here on your own device or use our embedded map above. City ordinances are available on our website here. For more up-to-date information about what’s going on in Sault Ste. Marie, follow us on our Facebook here.
