Photo from Mitchell Motors, LLC Facebook
There are several types of vehicles that are not authorized to be operated on city streets in Great Bend. All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV), low-speed vehicles, golf carts, and work-site utility vehicles. At Monday’s Great Bend City Council meeting, the governing body passed an ordinance to allow street legal micro-utility trucks to operate the streets.
Brian Mitchell, owner of Mitchell Motors, says the micro trucks are very similar to an ordinary vehicle, just compacted.
Brian Mitchell Audio
A micro utility truck is defined as not being less than 48” in width, is no longer than 106” from bumper to bumper, has a weight of more than 1,500 pounds, can exceed 40 miles per hour, and is manufactured with a metal cab.
Great Bend City Attorney Bob Suelter says the micro-utility trucks will not be allowed on state highways that run through town.
Bob Suelter Audio
Sand Reeper by Oreion Motors, LLC builds the micro-utility trucks, or low speed vehicles. Sand Reepers are in three of the four states around Kansas, including Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Missouri. Mitchell Motors has become the first and only dealer for Sand Reeper in Kansas.
Suelter is still working on a registration method for the vehicles. Owners of these micro-utility trucks will need their vehicles inspected by the Great Bend Police Department, have a legal driver’s license, and pay for a specific tag.