Whitehorse Daily Star

ATV bylaw passes first two readings

The city is closer to having new regulations around off-road vehicles

By Stephanie Waddell on June 18, 2018

The city is closer to having new regulations around off-road vehicles in place after council passed the first two readings of a new ATV bylaw last Monday.

The bylaw has essentially been updated. It now has provisions that would allow ATV and dirt bike riders who don’t have a licence and are too young to get one, a place to ride in making available the dirt bike track area off Robert Service Way.

Changes were made in 2015 to city bylaws to state anyone operating an ATV, snowmobile and such required a valid driver’s licence, registration, insurance, helmet and vehicle equipment to ride in city limits.

That means under the current bylaw, youth can’t participate in events nor activities at the dirt bike and ATV site off Robert Service Way that’s leased by the Yukon Cross Country Motorcycling Association (YCCMA).

The updated bylaw would allow youth to take part in events there without violating the bylaw, though all riders would still be required to wear helmets at the site.

“YCCMA is in favour and supports the City of Whitehorse placing maps and signage at the leased area advising users of the ATV bylaw rules and permitted MMU trails throughout the city,” city bylaw manager Dave Pruden said in an earlier report to council.

“Additionally, the YCCMA advocates that when ATV users have a designated track to use instead of riding on unauthorized trails, there is a positive impact to the environment.”

Pruden pointed out the YCCMA has stated its commitment to education and placing signs in the area to advise its users of the legal obligations while operating within the city.

The bylaw also includes provisions for managers of bylaw and/or parks and community development to designate – without going through council – areas for special ATV events that are taking place over a period shorter than two weeks.

Before council voted in favour of passing the first two readings of the new bylaw, Keith Lay, who heads up Active Trails Whitehorse, addressed council. He reiterated a number of changes he argued should be made before the bylaw is adopted.

Lay believes it should require:

• any youth at the site be under the supervision of his or her parents or guardians;

• off-road vehicles be driven by trailer to the site;

• YCCMA members carry cards showing their membership with the organization and that only members of the group be permitted to use the site;

• city staff not given authority to authorize sites for special off-road vehicle events;

• the snowmobile bylaw also be changed to add non-motorized trails, open spaces and greenbelts to the list of excluded areas as is the case for the ATV bylaw; and

• a definition for the YCCMA be included in the bylaw.

Lay also questioned what would be done to ensure that only YCCMA members use the park. He argued that the city and YCCMA be aware of potential changes coming to the territory’s Motor Vehicles Act that could impact off-road vehicle use.

Third reading of the bylaw will come foreword for council’s approval later this month.

Comments (8)

Up 8 Down 9

BnR on Jun 22, 2018 at 9:05 am

Mr. Lay is the Ying to that annoying kids (on the old piped dirt bike who goes ripping around the neighborhood at 1 in the morning) yang.
Opposites and extremes.
Most people fall in the middle of the bell curve and are reasonable and want to work together to come up with reasonable trail solutions that will allow ALL residents to enjoy our city.
If reasonable residents don't show up to these meetings, this is what you get.

Up 13 Down 17

My Opinion on Jun 20, 2018 at 9:53 pm

Keith Lay and his little minions cannot and will not play well with others. He should be sent to the corner until he learns to share.

Up 17 Down 19

Sillig on Jun 20, 2018 at 7:17 am

Anybody who wants wildlife in the City needs a mental examination.
This is the Yukon and last I checked it was better to see wildlife in the 'bush'.
There has been not been a walker or hiker or anti ATVer killed by an ATV in the Yukon....so please take the pills and enjoy your time on the trails too.

Up 24 Down 21

My Opinion on Jun 19, 2018 at 3:15 pm

Thank You City of Whitehorse for being reasonable and not caving to these Vigilante ex Teachers with a chip on their shoulder.

Up 19 Down 14

Stu Panton on Jun 19, 2018 at 12:55 pm

And be careful, do not use narrow trails at night it's far too dangerous in many areas. It's surprising there are not more accidents.
There is dogma about out and away trails but the users think they are in races.

Up 23 Down 23

Stu Panton on Jun 19, 2018 at 12:38 pm

Yes the trails group has it right.
The city has given away the trails to motorized users and council does not seem to understand what it means to have quiet areas around town.

And what about wildlife and the wilderness city? You have to go further and further to find special areas because the vehicles are tearing them up. Science supports what I am saying.

This city has gone down hill in a bad way. Just look at all the new ATV trails along the highway. Just look at the people who ignore the city and tear places up. It's a major issue because council does not care.

Up 27 Down 15

jean on Jun 18, 2018 at 9:03 pm

Active Trails Whitehorse, is correct, the changes they recommend should be made before the bylaw is adopted. Snowmobiles, ATVs, and Motorbikes are all ORVs and should be treated equally under the law, unless specific exceptions are made for good reason.
The existing ORV Bylaws are fragmented and cater to special interest groups.
Council should enact one Bylaw for all motorized ORVs, so regulations are equitable and fair for everyone.

Up 22 Down 20

ProScience Greenie on Jun 18, 2018 at 3:05 pm

OMG, why can't Lay just go away. Just another activist bully that doesn't even come close to speaking for a majority of citizens IMO.

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