B.C. moves to regulate recreational off-road vehicles

Hockeygod · 10-13-2009, 01:17 PM

FYI - especially impacting those who live and / or ride in BC. Check out the comments posted below the article (on the G&M website.)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle1321342/

B.C. moves to regulate recreational off-road vehicles

REBECCA LINDELL
VANCOUVER — From Tuesday's Globe and Mail Published on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 12:00AM EDT Last updated on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 12:47PM EDT

For the first time, British Columbia is drafting a set of regulations to rein in irresponsible users of recreational off-road vehicles and ensure that riders are accountable for how they treat the trails they traverse.

"With B.C. as one of the only jurisdictions where there is no obligatory licensing and regulations and no real clear guidelines on how to operate an [all-terrain vehicle], we have just had huge environmental damage from uncontrolled and unmonitored off-road vehicle use," said Dave Quinn, spokesman for conservation organization Wildsight.

The changes have been in the works for the past few years. In 2006, a stakeholders group called the Coalition for Licensing and Registration of Off-Road Vehicles made 47 recommendations to the province. Tourism Minister Kevin Krueger is now looking at instituting a new regulatory framework for managing off-road vehicle use, the ministry said.

The exact components of the regulations, which could include registration and licensing for off-road vehicles, as well as education and safety measures, are still being discussed. British Columbians, however, could see new legislation introduced in the coming weeks.

B.C.'s current regulations on off-road vehicles are minimal: Only snowmobiles, golf carts, and ATVs used on farms or for industrial purposes must be registered with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. That leaves owners of dirt bikes, recreational ATVs and dune buggies off the hook.

Every other province requires off-road vehicle users to have some combination of safety training, licensing, registration and insurance.

Most people follow guidelines and basic common-sense rules, but the province needs to spell regulations out, said Zan Boyle, president of the Quad Riders Association of British Columbia, a member of the stakeholder group.
Mr. Boyle said the organization wants to see the province adopt a licence and registration system with a one-time fee that would be invested in safety and training.

"Certainly nobody wants to pay out more money in licensing or registration fees, but if they can see the end result being a positive aspect of it, that should be okay.
Mr. Quinn was emphatic about the need for change, calling the situation "totally out of control all across the province."

"Licensing and registration is an important first step for coming up with some designated trails, some signage, and for really protecting this world-class recreational opportunity we have," he said.

Cal Kaytor, an ATV owner in Port Coquitlam, said licensing and registration regulations could help keep trails open.

"If you see someone being a terrain terrorist tearing up the landscape there's nothing you can do about it. Until we get [licensing] in and some way to actually track people who are destroying the environment, areas are going to continue to be closed."

MCMXCIVRS · 10-13-2009, 03:12 PM

While I agree that licensing should be required for any vehicle being operated on public land, I don't see it helping curtail environmental damge much unless there is a lot of enforcement on the needless destruction and damge.

Alberta has required registration of OHVs for a very long time (at least thirty years since I first owned one). Even so, the destruction continues seemingly uncontrolled since there is little enforcement of irresponsible use. The only reaction seems to be to close areas and limit access which punishes us all not just the idiots doing the damage.

Hockeygod · 10-13-2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCMXCIVRS

While I agree that licensing should be required for any vehicle being operated on public land, I don't see it helping curtail environmental damge much unless there is a lot of enforcement on the needless destruction and damge.

Alberta has required registration of OHVs for a very long time (at least thirty years since I first owned one). Even so, the destruction continues seemingly uncontrolled since there is little enforcement of irresponsible use. The only reaction seems to be to close areas and limit access which punishes us all not just the idiots doing the damage.

Thanks for your comments. In my (Alberta) experience, you are 100% on the mark. Licensing, etc. in BC is one step forward and one step back... a necessary shift based on the recklessness of others (hopefully a minority.)

I have lived primarily in Alberta and have land just off the Forestry Trunk Road 940 on the way to Waiparous. I have camped, hiked, ridden horses, motorcycles and mountain bikes and driven a 4x4 in the area. At heart, I am a dirt / mountain biker. I have seen the damage and disrespect done by OHV's first-hand - especially on long weekends. Unfortunately, more enforcement is required to try to eliminate the idiots and this comes at a cost (licensing fees?) and at an inconvenience of those who are respectful / legal (perhaps being stopped to see insurance, registration, legality of bikes, etc. which may result in lineups - this is minor in the bigger scheme of things.) However, I suspect these fees don't make it into the enforcement budget. If they do, the fees aren't high enough... and I don't say this lightly as I don't want to pay a bunch more money myself - but wouldn't mind a reasonable fee or a portion being taken as a cpmponent of licensing as long as it is properly used... not eaten up by bureaucracy!

I rarely see Rangers / LEO's out and about in Waiparous and MacLean Creek - the two OHV areas closest to Calgary - and I think that a greater, more consistent presence, along with more education of the user groups directly using these areas (via RMDRA, Quad Squad, etc.) and the general public would make a positive difference (so it isn't an "US" vs the general non-off-roading public.)

It all comes down to respect, making good choices and being a positive ambassador of our hobby(ies).

ABADV · 10-13-2009, 06:11 PM

If we do not get involved and support the likes of great organizations like RMDRA who are ambassadors for our love of riding, it will not be long before there will not be ANY places for us to do what most of us here enjoy doing as often as we can....and that is riding.

squonker · 10-13-2009, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hockeygod

It all comes down to respect, making good choices and being a positive ambassador of our hobby(ies).

...and therein lies the problem....

dump-a-thump · 10-15-2009, 12:58 AM

sorry. How does more government involvement help anything? I'll admit, they have done a wonderful job with the pine-beetle, the Olympics, and infrastructure, but rather than sell the public lands (or PPP them), maybe we should be the ones stopping the senseless destruction of the commons. Stop the riders, get identification (equipment description and vehicle plate if possible), suggest that they consider more ecologically sound riding methods, and then report to the MoE. It may help. If not, I have a skidder that can re-design their ORV for lower impact (profile, too).

We had a few kids with toyota 4x4s cutting up the swamps above town. They got caught, nothing happened. Couple weeks earlier an MoF employee caught them shooting skunks and ravens(out of season) with their cannons (7mm Rem-mag, 300 Win-mag). Nothing happened to them. Later they were caught shooting loons while out fishing. Nothing happened to them. I'm sure that has nothing to do with one of their dad's being detachment head.

But folks like that are gonna present a challenge... You can't fix stupid.

Hockeygod · 10-15-2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dump-a-thump

sorry. How does more government involvement help anything? I'll admit, they have done a wonderful job with the pine-beetle, the Olympics, and infrastructure, but rather than sell the public lands (or PPP them), maybe we should be the ones stopping the senseless destruction of the commons. Stop the riders, get identification (equipment description and vehicle plate if possible), suggest that they consider more ecologically sound riding methods, and then report to the MoE. It may help. If not, I have a skidder that can re-design their ORV for lower impact (profile, too).

We had a few kids with toyota 4x4s cutting up the swamps above town. They got caught, nothing happened. Couple weeks earlier an MoF employee caught them shooting skunks and ravens(out of season) with their cannons (7mm Rem-mag, 300 Win-mag). Nothing happened to them. Later they were caught shooting loons while out fishing. Nothing happened to them. I'm sure that has nothing to do with one of their dad's being detachment head.

But folks like that are gonna present a challenge... You can't fix stupid.

Perhaps a phone line to report the idiots... but if we don't have a plate, it is tough to ID. I don't think it is a good idea to confront them personally... especially if they have guns / a poor attitude / are high on something / have the IQ and maturity of a retarded squid. Leave it to the LEO's or you are asking for trouble. So short of having your skidder nearby, I believe that eventually, Darwinism fixes stupid.

Hopefully before they breed.

If you feel so inclined, video them in a Darwinian moment and post it on YouTube. Worked for those Saskatchewan "hunters" and the 8 year-old "driver" from Quebec!

10-13-2009, 01:17 PM	#1
Hockeygod ^OP Studly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2008 Location: Calgary, AB, Canada Oddometer: 668	B.C. moves to regulate recreational off-road vehicles FYI - especially impacting those who live and / or ride in BC. Check out the comments posted below the article (on the G&M website.) http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle1321342/ B.C. moves to regulate recreational off-road vehicles REBECCA LINDELL VANCOUVER — From Tuesday's Globe and Mail Published on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 12:00AM EDT Last updated on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 12:47PM EDT For the first time, British Columbia is drafting a set of regulations to rein in irresponsible users of recreational off-road vehicles and ensure that riders are accountable for how they treat the trails they traverse. "With B.C. as one of the only jurisdictions where there is no obligatory licensing and regulations and no real clear guidelines on how to operate an [all-terrain vehicle], we have just had huge environmental damage from uncontrolled and unmonitored off-road vehicle use," said Dave Quinn, spokesman for conservation organization Wildsight. The changes have been in the works for the past few years. In 2006, a stakeholders group called the Coalition for Licensing and Registration of Off-Road Vehicles made 47 recommendations to the province. Tourism Minister Kevin Krueger is now looking at instituting a new regulatory framework for managing off-road vehicle use, the ministry said. The exact components of the regulations, which could include registration and licensing for off-road vehicles, as well as education and safety measures, are still being discussed. British Columbians, however, could see new legislation introduced in the coming weeks. B.C.'s current regulations on off-road vehicles are minimal: Only snowmobiles, golf carts, and ATVs used on farms or for industrial purposes must be registered with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. That leaves owners of dirt bikes, recreational ATVs and dune buggies off the hook. Every other province requires off-road vehicle users to have some combination of safety training, licensing, registration and insurance. Most people follow guidelines and basic common-sense rules, but the province needs to spell regulations out, said Zan Boyle, president of the Quad Riders Association of British Columbia, a member of the stakeholder group. Mr. Boyle said the organization wants to see the province adopt a licence and registration system with a one-time fee that would be invested in safety and training. "Certainly nobody wants to pay out more money in licensing or registration fees, but if they can see the end result being a positive aspect of it, that should be okay. Mr. Quinn was emphatic about the need for change, calling the situation "totally out of control all across the province." "Licensing and registration is an important first step for coming up with some designated trails, some signage, and for really protecting this world-class recreational opportunity we have," he said. Cal Kaytor, an ATV owner in Port Coquitlam, said licensing and registration regulations could help keep trails open. "If you see someone being a terrain terrorist tearing up the landscape there's nothing you can do about it. Until we get [licensing] in and some way to actually track people who are destroying the environment, areas are going to continue to be closed." __________________ 2007 KTM 640 Adventure 2001 KX 100 1989 KDX 200 Various mountain and road bikes No his mind is not for rent To any god or government Always hopeful, yet discontent He knows changes aren't permanent But change is...

10-13-2009, 06:11 PM	#4
ABADV Studly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Calgary, AB Oddometer: 637	My thoughts..... If we do not get involved and support the likes of great organizations like RMDRA who are ambassadors for our love of riding, it will not be long before there will not be ANY places for us to do what most of us here enjoy doing as often as we can....and that is riding. __________________ "There was a time when a man was so convinced that the world was round that he was determined to prove it." ~ Ernest Holmes

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10-13-2009, 03:12 PM	#2
MCMXCIVRS Begining the Adventure Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Oddometer: 996	While I agree that licensing should be required for any vehicle being operated on public land, I don't see it helping curtail environmental damge much unless there is a lot of enforcement on the needless destruction and damge. Alberta has required registration of OHVs for a very long time (at least thirty years since I first owned one). Even so, the destruction continues seemingly uncontrolled since there is little enforcement of irresponsible use. The only reaction seems to be to close areas and limit access which punishes us all not just the idiots doing the damage.

10-15-2009, 12:58 AM	#6
dump-a-thump lapsed atheist Joined: Aug 2008 Location: NxNW Oddometer: 559	sorry. How does more government involvement help anything? I'll admit, they have done a wonderful job with the pine-beetle, the Olympics, and infrastructure, but rather than sell the public lands (or PPP them), maybe we should be the ones stopping the senseless destruction of the commons. Stop the riders, get identification (equipment description and vehicle plate if possible), suggest that they consider more ecologically sound riding methods, and then report to the MoE. It may help. If not, I have a skidder that can re-design their ORV for lower impact (profile, too). We had a few kids with toyota 4x4s cutting up the swamps above town. They got caught, nothing happened. Couple weeks earlier an MoF employee caught them shooting skunks and ravens(out of season) with their cannons (7mm Rem-mag, 300 Win-mag). Nothing happened to them. Later they were caught shooting loons while out fishing. Nothing happened to them. I'm sure that has nothing to do with one of their dad's being detachment head. But folks like that are gonna present a challenge... You can't fix stupid.