When new provincial regulations come into effect in November 2011, free riding on all-terrain vehicles won't be as free as it used to be, but chances are it will be safer.
The province's new off-road management framework will introduce rules that require all off-road vehicle riders to register their machines and buy licence plates that will link those machines to their registered owners to help track irresponsible riders or stolen vehicles.
"It is a good thing," said Jeff Mohr, a director for the Quad Riders Association of B.C. (ATV/BC). "We've always said we want to punish the bad actors, not everybody for the things the bad actors do."
While licence plates will be required, annual licence fees, a driver's licence and basic liability insurance will be mandatory only for off-road riders who use public road or highway crossings. Riders who use forest service roads will also need liability insurance, but those who stay on Crown land will require only the plate and registration, and liability insurance will be voluntary.
The new legislation will also introduce guidelines environmentally-friendly muffler standards and spark arrestors to reduce the risk of forest fires.
Prince George is home to three ATV organizations -- the Prince George ATV Club (120 members) the Ridge Riders ATV Club (40 members) and the newly-formed Northern Trailblazers club (20 members). Mohr, a Ridge Riders member, encourages all ATV owners to get involved in one of the clubs.
"People join a club to meet new people and join the riding opportunities in their area and they get to participate with other clubs," said Mohr. "The other side of it is to provide your support for ATV/BC to help protect your right to ride. Being part of ATV/BC, we're watching for areas that are going to be closed down and we're standing up for the rights of people who do ride."
For more, see The Citizen.
