The 50-inch wide Wildcat Trail XT from Arctic Cat was specifically designed to access narrower trails.

A coalition of environmental groups are opposing a proposed New York State bill that would allow heavier off-road vehicles, such as UTVs, access to public recreation trails. The bill would increase the weight limit of allowable vehicles from 1,000 lbs to 1,500 lbs, essentially expanding the types of allowable vehicles from ATVs to include some UTVs as well. Groups like the Adirondack Council believe the UTVs are too fast, big and destructive to be allowed on the trails, causing more erosion, as well as water and air pollution. They are not looking to restrict use on private lands or on public lands by people with disabilities. Learn more:  Northcountrypublicradio.org

Update:  According to Protect The Adirondacks, another group that opposed the legislation, the bill was recently defeated in the state assembly.

Comment:  It is likely that more of these conflicts between recreational UTV riders and environmental groups will be occurring in the future. The UTV market continues to grow and in the last couple of years more UTV models that are only 50 inches wide have come onto the market. They are specifically designed to provide access to ATV trails that are typically too narrow or in some areas feature numerous narrow gates for which traditional UTVs are too wide. These type of trail systems are prevalent in the Northeast.