New rules taking effect July 1 will give some ATVs more on-road access.
New provincial laws will allow more types of off-road vehicles and all-terrain vehicles, including two-up ATVs and side-by-side ATVs, to use the shoulder of public roads.
The province is promoting the new rules throughout June to give municipalities the opportunity to make necessary by-law amendments. The June promotion also serves as notice to riders about the coming changes.
J and J Sports' Scott Tominski sees the rule changes as a great opportunity to remind riders that when they are on a road’s shoulder they need to keep at least two wheels on the pavement.
“Keep in mind when it starts to wobble you don’t want to go too fast and lose control,” Tominski said. “So as long as you go slowly there is no real issues.”
MPP Bill Mauro (Lib., Thunder Bay – Atikokan) believes the new rules will be well received by the public.
“I think here in our communities, in the agriculture communities, trappers and recreational enthusiasts, there will be a lot of happy people with this,” the local MPP said during an interview with CKPR Radio.
The province is also allowing an education period to take place between July 1 to Sept. 1, 2015, before violation tickets are issued. However, during this time police officers may still lay a charge through a summons.
QUICK FACTS:
- Off-road vehicle (ORVs) is a broad term that can include single-rider, two-up and side-by-side ATVs and utility terrain vehicles.
- Drivers operating a permitted ORV along a road or highway must hold at least a G2 or M2 driver’s licence, and their vehicle must be registered and insured.
- Previous to July 1, 2015, only single-rider ATV’s could operate along certain provincial and municipal highways.
