In the near future, politic
ans will decide wheter or not Norwegians should be permitted to drive snowscooters in nature for pleasure.
So far, this has been forbidden. Permits for the use of snowscooters in Norway have been strictly regulated. Mainly in the south, - since in Norhern Norway, Snow scooters mobiles are considered a necessity and widely used, particularly by the Sami raindeer herders.
The number of snowscooters in Norway is increasing rapidly, up by 40 per cent over the last ten years, - and getting close to Sweden's 70 000 registered vehicles. In Sweden, the use of snowscooters for pleasure driving is allowed. Studies have shown that with the same legal norms as in Sweden, and the same density, the number in Norway is likely to reach 160.000 snowscooters.
In Finnmark, where pleasure driving has been allowed for 25 years, it is approx. 0.2 snowscooters per capita.
The difference of opinion between and within the Government coalition parties is major. However, with the support of several opposition parties and given the political situation, it is not unlikely that a vote to relax the regulations will be approved.
There is no doubt that the opening up for more driving, the number of snowscooters will increase, and result in more noise in the environment.
The Norway Post/NRK
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