Respondents have their say on ATV-related issues

The City of Whitehorse has released the findings of its recent ATV task force report, an initial step in the development of new ATV legislation, slated for council’s review this summer.

The City of Whitehorse has released the findings of its recent ATV task force report, an initial step in the development of new ATV legislation, slated for council’s review this summer.

The survey, conducted between March 29 and April 16, polled 127 Whitehorse residents for public input into what future such legislation may look like.

The findings show public support for developments such as new trail maps and safety measures.

The survey saw 90 per cent of residents in favour of the development of maps, outlining motorized vs. non-motorized trails.

Those maps may even be usable with technologies such as Google Earth and smart phones.

Eighty-six per cent of residents polled were also in favour of increased signage on trail networks; 84 per cent favoured developing more multi-use motorized trails; 81 per cent supported an increase in environmental and wildlife protection on municipal trails; 83 per cent favoured allocating ATV fines to trail development; 82 per cent wanted to make helmets mandatory; while 82 per cent also wanted to put trail maps online.

Other recommendations include requiring a special permit to operate an ATV within city limits, designating specific trails for off-road vehicle use and for pedestrian use and initiating wildlife protection measures.

Most of the 25 recommendations would be included in future bylaw legislation, though city planners did object to one which would replace the term ATV with off-road vehicle (ORV).

“Regulators thought that since ORVs also include snowmobiles, which are regulated separately and could cause some confusion,” said Dave Pruden, the city’s bylaw manager.

He also pointed to several other provinces and territories with similarly named ATV legislation.

The rules would be close in line with the city’s snowmobile bylaw, said Pruden.

The report recommends setting a speed limit for ATVs at 30 km/h, like the snowmobile bylaw, while the proposed fines, helmet requirements and education component would also be alike.

They would also be similarly enforced.

The city would hire another bylaw officer, but would also rely greatly on citizen input.

“We’re not going to catch everyone who wants to break the rules that way, but there are also a lot of people out there with digital cameras, iphones, etcetera, and we certainly respond to complaints,” said Pruden.

Currently, more trails are available to snowmobilers in the community.

“One reason is that the City of Whitehorse has had a longer relationship with the Klondike Snowmobile Association,” said Pruden.

“But there have been several ATV groups who have come forward, and we are working with them.”

Differences between proposed ATV legislation would include trail access, in some cases barring ATVs from trails which in the winter are safe to ride, but throughout the rest of the year may be environmentally sensitive.

The additional cost to the city isn’t likely to be high, said Pruden.

Though new trails will be developed and signage made, both of those developments are already part of the long-term planning of the city. Some funding will also come from the federal government.

Once the draft has been completed, it will go through the bylaw process, which will include further opportunity for public comment, said Pruden.

The draft legislation will be delivered to city council in June.