‘He wasn’t driving responsibly,’ bylaw official says of dirt biker
A 23-year-old Whitehorse man has been issued bylaw tickets amounting to more than $700 in fines after a cyclist was hit and injured by a dirt bike on a Riverdale trail last month.
A 23-year-old Whitehorse man has been issued bylaw tickets amounting to more than $700 in fines after a cyclist was hit and injured by a dirt bike on a Riverdale trail last month.
In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, senior bylaw constable Tom Wyers said the fines stem from breaches of the city’s ATV bylaw (under which dirt bikes fall).
The charges include operating in a prohibited area, operating without due care and attention and not having the required safe card.
On June 23, a cyclist encountered the dirt bike driver coming up toward him on the half-kilometre Lower Roller Coaster Trail on Grey Mountain.
“The cyclist pulled off the trail, but the motorcycle driver struck him,” it was noted in the statement.
“The cyclist suffered a broken wrist and an injured knee. His bicycle was also damaged.”
Witnesses also informed bylaw officers that the driver was operating in a careless manner on the trail, which is designated for non-motorized use only.
“So not only was he not where he was supposed to be; he wasn’t driving responsibly,” Wyers said.
“We felt this was a serious enough incident to warrant laying charges.”
The name of the dirt bike driver is not being released.
Wyers explained the city doesn’t typically release the names of those issued bylaw tickets unless the case goes to court.
The man has until July 17 to pay the tickets or plead not guilty to any of the charges.
If the tickets go unpaid, he may appear in territorial court on July 28 to make a plea on the matter.
“This is a reminder that the city takes enforcement on our trails and protected areas seriously,” Wyers said.
“We want to remind citizens that motorized vehicles are only allowed on designated trails, and dangerous driving will not be tolerated anywhere.”
The cyclist in the matter has also reported the incident to the RMCP.
Details of the file were not available from the RCMP before press time this afternoon.
This morning, Wyers said the city has been receiving a number of complaints about off-road vehicles using non-motorized trails in the Riverdale area since summer began.
Bylaw officers have been doing regular patrols of the area and will continue to enforce the city’s regulations on the trails.
The city also has a number of multi-use trails that dirt bikes, ATVs and other off-road vehicles can access, Wyers pointed out.
Comments (17)
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North on Jul 14, 2015 at 11:42 pm
@just sayin - there have been a organized group of motorists in the past but it was very apparent by rulings that none of what was said was listened to. There was an agenda off the bat which was followed through on... There have been committees which were struck by the city to discuss these issues and the same thing... As for groups like Toya, there stats are skewed beyond belief - this is coming from someone who knows stats very well and yet people suck it in like it means something... I could survey my friends to agree with me as well. Unfortunately in the Yukon, he who yells/complains the loudest gets their way.
Why can't we do something unique in the Yukon, like Lake Havasu where ATV's are street legal. We do live in a very different place then the rest of Canada and yet we keep trying to turn it into a southern city. I have mentioned this in the past... Will regulations really stop the damage? Not likely... Laws are broken constantly- look at our jails. Education is key and toning it down on the hostility towards one another.
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wrong about this BnR on Jul 14, 2015 at 4:20 pm
BnR, I know off the top of my head four men who are now in their late 40's and 50's who built the trails behind Riverdale, many of them, for riding their dirt bikes as kids/teens. One is asking me right now, "Who is that bleep bleep?"
Just correcting your assertation that you know of not a single trail built by dirt bike riders, except the cantlie lake trail, you say. There might well be trails built for cross country skiing (Magnusson Trails), but that's a small amount of trails compared to what is actually out there. You might well not even be aware of the trail system back there. "There's a gazillion of them" - my friend who is sitting here.
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Just Say'in on Jul 14, 2015 at 3:20 pm
@Mark S You say the City held many public meetings and surveyed to strike a balance. NO THEY DIDN'T. And they certainly didn't strike a balance at all. The East side of the river was just put completely off limited for motorized use. They list 5 road as ORV use only, they are Chadburn Lake rd, Grey Mountain rd, Cantly Lake rd, Long Lake rd, and the Power Line. These are destination roads, they go to a specific place and not "out and away" as are to be provided.
As for the comment about who these trails in Riverdale were built by I am here to tell you that they were all built for motorized use originally. In the sixties and seventies hundreds of them were built by Dirt Bikers. Many were wood cutters in the forties and Fifties. Lots of exploration trails as well. Old roads and the like.
Motorized people better organize or it will all be gone. We need a massive layoff in the Government and all these whiners can move back where they came from.
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BnR on Jul 14, 2015 at 3:08 pm
Max
Your observation is spot on. Coming down from the Rifle and Pistol Club range, you really notice these groups seemingly oblivious to common courtesy never mind rules of the road. Bikers all over the place, dogs off leash. It gets a bit old.
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Peace NQuiet on Jul 14, 2015 at 12:21 am
Many comments below are illustrative of the misinformation that irresponsible ORVers keep spewing out. You know, the old false excuse of “there are no motorized trails” in Riverdale.
Grow up and take responsibility for your choices. It’s so easy to get informed.
The fact is, there are many motorized trails near Riverdale. You only need to drive your ORV a short way up Grey Mountain Road to access designated motorized trails. For trail info, simply CALL the City’s Park & Trail department, or check their webpage under Parks & Community Development, Trails. There’s a motorized trail map that can be accessed there.
If you’re going to use an ORV (snowmobile, dirt-bike, or quad) anywhere within the city limits, check the City’s webpage on the requirements which include driver’s license, insurance, registration, visible license plate, and safe card. Those are required for driving an ORV on any motorized TRAIL or street within the City. You don’t believe this? CALL Bylaw Services for information.
And keep your ORV off non-motorized trails & greenbelts. Of course YOU can use the non-motorized trails nearby… for a nice healthy walk. Keep your ORV on the designated motorized trails that will take you out of the neighborhood’s green spaces. ... you don’t really want to compete on neighborhood trails with baby strollers do you…
To the yahoos out there: smarten up and stop the bullying and vandalism, you’re giving a bad name to the responsible ORVers who follow the rules. Yes, rules are needed because ORVs have big impacts. Rules are put in place to protect residents’ quality of life & the environment, and for safety.
Many other municipalities have banned ORVs altogether within their city limits, so don’t push your luck.
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Max Mack on Jul 13, 2015 at 6:09 pm
Just the other day, I watched a pack of cyclists going up Grey Mountain Road, refusing to ride in single file, occupying the entire lane, forcing other vehicles to pass on a solid line or practically grind to a halt behind the slow moving pack.
Inconsiderate and irresponsible behaviour is not just the domain of ATV riders.
Whitehorse needs balance, and less zealotry.
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BnR on Jul 13, 2015 at 3:18 pm
With respect to all the trails that have been made by ORVs in the R'dale area.
I've lived in R'dale for 50 years now, and I can't think of one trail that was made by ORVs with the exception of the Cantlie lake trail from the old vocational school road out to Cantlie. Most of the old trails that people use for recreation were either old wood roads for supplying the steam ships, or old First Nation walking trails that just became wider and wider. Many of the other trails such as the Magnuson and Chadburn lake ski trails were purposely built for XC skiing and other summer users that have been taken over. So throwing out that argument that "we" are being exlcuded from the trails that "we" built is simply wrong.
Not that I don't support motorized users being able to access trails, but the CoW does seem reluctant to fully address this.
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Atom on Jul 13, 2015 at 2:25 pm
@mark s
By law enforce bylaws...not citizens...when you propose your idea to Pruden he will say, but who are you suggesting stop folks on ATV's? Someone who isn't an enforcement officer? Then your credibility would be reduced to say....well you've sort of provided that with your anti anything engine propelled rants here.
And in case I wasn't clear...the new ORV rules are DUMB!
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Just Say'in on Jul 12, 2015 at 1:14 pm
@Mark. If you are concerned then do something. Take back the Riverdale Community Assoc from all of the NIMBY's. That is where the problem is. The city listens to interest groups. We have to take back our rights. Get a group together and get at it and now. That was why all the fight over the Millennium bridge to allow access out of Riverdale because everything has been taken away. All other areas in Whitehorse you will be next, get organized and fight back, don't wait for someone else to do it.
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Mark S on Jul 12, 2015 at 12:56 pm
Another couple of thoughts.
I think we should take a step backwards and engage citizens in protecting our greenbelts and trails. The most logical approach is to train people to collect evidence and to allow them to stop people on off road vehicles and ask them for their registration, ID, safe card, insurance etc. This will save bylaw officers a lot of time and may help address the vandalism and illegal trail use that goes on every night in most areas of town. Its time to force people to obey the law.
I also think we need fewer trails for snow machine use or failing that people who live near greenbelts which have become noisy should get significant city tax breaks. I know several people who agree with me on this!. Why should one group suddenly have unfettered use of all trails and greenbelts. Who came up with this idea? Council needs to amend the skidoo bylaw and think about compensating homeowners who do not want to put up with the noise and daily disruption.
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Pjt1959 on Jul 12, 2015 at 7:15 am
Being as I would love to be able to take my grandson out on my side by side COW took that away here in Riverdale - there are no trails. Yes the motorized vehicle should have been more careful, that is the rule he broke. But it's time that COW looked at all the old roads that were closed to MOV that all of a sudden became bike trails. Bike groups like to put jumps and things on trails the city doesn't take them down but will say they're trying to keep environment undisturbed. The worst part is a lot of these trails were put in 40 years ago or more by people in Riverdale to ride MOV but now cannot use. Yes there are trails that MOV should not use, no problem, but not all. I have been yelled at and looked like I should not walk on trails by bikers that think they have right of way. Try driving up Grey Mountain Road road, see them 4 to 5 wide on some nights and as a motorist give them 1 meter when there is no road left. Let's get some sharing back and open up some of the road trails so all sports can be enjoyed. Let's see some bike enforcement on the streets and if you want to ride on the road then obey the rules. That is my rant.
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Mark S on Jul 11, 2015 at 4:04 pm
I am really shocked by the comments posted here.
The city undertook many public meetings and surveys to strike a balance between which trails should be for motorized and non-motorized users.
Maps have been posted on the city website and its common knowledge ATV and trail bike users need to have a safe card, vehicle registration, drivers license, insurance and a helmut. This information has been in the papers many many times. The drivers license requirement means operators have to be at least 16 years of age.
This is not Whitehorse back in the 60's, this is a city wanting to protect sensitive areas and allow a modern balanced approach to responsible ORV recreation.
Comments like the ones from people like Mark explain the vandalism we encounter around the city and the reason why people want more bylaw enforcement on our trails. I believe people are encouraged to take photos of people abusing the law and to note license plate numbers which are usually not there.
How someone can run into someone stopped off a trail is beyond me and it shows a chilling disregard for an innocent persons safety. It's great that the city will not allow these vehicles on the Rotary Bridge because there was a safety issue which is supported by the charges to this reckless trail bike owner.
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Mark on Jul 10, 2015 at 9:25 pm
OMG OMG OMG!!! He didn't have a safe card????? Really? I know another thing he didn't have...... A trail designated to him. That's because they're aren't any! I have checked every single trail off of Grey mountain road. You know, the trails "they "made in the first place. All the trails have been taken over by this same bunch of people who have no purpose in life but to make other people's lives miserable. Well I have a message for you...... I hope that biker is ok and that the person he took out, was one of those Nimbys . I live in Riverdale and have for 20 years now. I have ridden every trail around Whitehorse. I watch painfully as city money is burned up by the city to move rocks to block trails I helped make. Knowing that I can move them too, thanks to Winches, Jacks, etc.This latest group of southern spoiled kids, is hell bent on making the North... Their new South. The one thing they haven't realized yet is....us Northerners don't give up. See you out there "girls"!
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well .... yeah! on Jul 9, 2015 at 5:57 pm
The by-law officer sounds almost as if he has to explain or defend the tickets ... I'm all for issuing more of them. There have to be consequences for stuff like this, whether someone gets hurt or not.
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Mr. Steward on Jul 9, 2015 at 5:14 pm
"the driver was operating in a careless manner on the trail, which is designated for non-motorized use only"- this seems like a subjective and narrow viewpoint of people who do not want to share our trails with trail bikes. Sure, they are a little noisy but trail bike owners pay taxes and should be allowed to ride on all trails. People from the mountain biking group terrorize walkers on sidewalks and many trails but they are never charged.
Where is trail information clearly marked on the city trails. Most trails have zero signs. If I were the trail bike owner I would represent myself in court and fight these charges.
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Thomas Brewer on Jul 9, 2015 at 4:18 pm
Am I the only one that has no idea what "not having the required safe card" is supposed to mean?
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Atom on Jul 9, 2015 at 4:05 pm
First time for everything....since there is no way out of Riverdale (a neighborhood within the Wilderness City of Whitehorse....in the Yukon!) on an ORV, it is surprising we never hear of violations. Someone got hurt so it brought this to the news...because the new ban the ORV rules are DUMB!.....and so is the motorbiker who hit the other cyclist, otherwise no news.