Credit the Brooke County Commission for trying to get a handle on ATV use in the county.

We agree in part that ATV riders who already are law-abiding operators who don't trespass or destroy property while riding will face an additional burden if the county imposes additional fees and a county registration for the vehicles. But then, so do law-abiding boat owners and law-abiding automobile owners and law-abiding motorcycle riders face a burden in registering their vehicles.

Further, we disagree with the complaint that some ATV riders don't insure their vehicles because they cannot afford the coverage. If you can't afford the cost of admission, you don't go to the Super Bowl. Why, then, would you ride if you can't afford insurance that protects you and others from paying damages resulting from accidents or intentional misuse of an ATV?

Nor do we buy the argument that the registration stickers would either be intentionally or unintentionally rendered unreadable.

Again, boats, cars, trucks and motorcycles all have plates on them that are susceptible to being covered in mud, grime or intentional masking, but the requirements to register are still there.

ATV riders who are law abiding need to band together and talk to the county, much the way groups in support of motorcycling have worked with governments across the nation.

The commission is taking a good tack in not simply saying ATVs should be outlawed. The commissioners are showing a willingness to talk.

Compromise is possible and we urge both sides to keep on talking. Government shouldn't infringe on the proper use of the ATVs, nor should ATV riders infringe on the enjoyment of others' property.