“I own a quad, and I know this is the right thing to do" says Minister of Community and Rural Development Bill Bennett.
Nov 10, 2009 -- Registration and licensing, helmet use, youth safety and environmental measures will be implemented over the next two years under a new off-road vehicle (ORV) management framework, announced Tourism, Culture and the Arts Minister Kevin Krueger today.
“We’ve heard much from ORV groups, the public, and other stakeholders, including the chief coroner and the Union of BC Municipalities on this topic,” said Krueger. “There is a broad consensus that it is time for ORV regulations; we have a common vision and a solid blueprint for action.”
Under the new framework, all ORV riders using Crown land will require one-time registration with a licence plate for their machines, in addition to wearing helmets and using lights at night. Age-appropriate safety measures and adult supervision will be required for young riders.
All ORVs will require registration and licensing at time of sale and re-sale. New standards for mufflers will minimize the noise impact on wildlife and spark arrestors will reduce the risk of forest fires. Additional measures to connect communities and trail networks will mean licensed ORV riders will be able to cross public roads more conveniently with an annual vehicle licence and basic insurance.
“This initiative, in part, is about allowing law enforcement officials to track stolen ORV’s, something almost impossible today. It is absolutely not about taking away anyone’s safe, responsible fun,” said Minister of Community and Rural Development Bill Bennett. “I own a quad, and I know this is the right thing to do. Recreationists have lots of fun riding their ORVs in Ontario and Quebec with a similar system and it will work well here in B.C. too.’
“The requirement to display a licence plate on ORVs will make it possible for conservation officers, park rangers and law enforcement agencies to identify those who are damaging sensitive habitat or harassing wildlife, so they can be held accountable,” said Environment Minister Barry Penner. “It will also give members of the public a way to help us by calling our toll-free 1-877-952-RAPP (7277) line to report licence plate numbers of irresponsible operators.”
“For over 30 years, we’ve known that B.C. has lagged behind when it comes to ORV regulations, to the detriment of personal safety, environmental responsibility, tourism potential and enhancement of ORV sport,” said Bruno Delesalle, co-chair of the ORV Coalition, also the executive director for the Grasslands Conservation Council. “The coalition is pleased that the provincial government, after receiving 47 recommendations from coalition stakeholders, is taking action with the implementation of expanded regulations for all ORVs.”
“We expect that these regulations will improve safety, environmental impacts and trail development for ORV use, as well as make those who are currently causing property and environmental damage accountable,” said Bev Felske, co-chair of the ORV Coalition, and member of the Quad Riders Association of B.C. “This is an incredible province to explore and work on the land; the majority of riders do so responsibly, and those that do not will now be identifiable and liable for their actions.”
The proposed framework is the result of extensive consultations over a number of years with a wide variety of interested organizations. The regulations define ORVs as including dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles, and will not apply to private lands.
-----------------------------------------------------------
A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO ORV MANAGEMENT
By KEVIN KRUEGER
Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts
November 10, 2009
KAMLOOPS – British Columbia’s natural beauty is a tremendously important tourism and recreation asset. For many British Columbians, snowmobiling, dirt biking and riding all-terrain vehicles are exciting ways of enjoying the vast network of trails our province has to offer.
Recently, I was pleased to announce a new ORV Management Framework. This enhancement will facilitate safety, accountability and enjoyment of Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs) in B.C.
The framework will address public safety issues by requiring helmets for all, and require special safety provisions for youth, saving lives and health care resources, and preventing disabilities. New standards for mufflers will minimize the noise impact on wildlife and spark arrestors will reduce the risk of forest fires. Additional measures to designate crossings on public roads will mean ORV riders can connect with their communities and our world class trail network.
The Union of BC Municipalities, the B.C. Chamber of Commerce and the B.C. Coroners Service Child Death Review Unit are some of the groups who have asked for changes that will improve the safety and use of ORVs. There have been insufficient regulations to identify and prosecute ORV riders who destroy the environment, harass wildlife or livestock, and engage in criminal behaviour. There has been difficulty identifying stolen vehicles.
I am happy to say that we have prepared a solid blueprint for action in the ORV Management Framework. Its provisions include:
Registration:
- Registration and licensing of all ORVs at sale and resale.
- A more visible plate or decal to assist compliance and enforcement efforts in identifying irresponsible ORV riders and help track stolen ORVs.
- An expanded definition of ORV to include all terrain vehicles and dirt bikes; this will allow local governments to enact bylaws for ORVs.
Public Road Crossings:
- In order to connect our communities and trail systems, all ORV riders will be able to legally cross public roads/highways or portions of the right-of-way at designated locations with an optional annual vehicle licence and basic insurance.
- Riders who choose to stay on Crown land require only one-time registration and licensing.
Safety:
- All ORV riders must wear a helmet and use lights for low visibility conditions. Seatbelts must also be worn where installed by the manufacturer.
- Additional measures to better protect youth less than 16 years of age include: adult supervision, appropriate size machines for age/weight and reduced speed limits.
Environment:
- Improved muffler standards for ORVs will reduce noise disturbance to wildlife and recreationists; spark arrestors will reduce the risk of forest fires.
- B.C. supports the federal government’s proposed emission standards for ORVs under the Marine Spark-Ignition Engine and Off-Road Recreational Vehicle Emission Regulations; once approved, these standards will apply to B.C.
Compliance and Enforcement:
- A provincial ORV compliance and enforcement strategy will be developed and will include an education component to help achieve voluntary compliance.
Implementation:
- A committee of my colleagues has been formed to oversee implementation.
- Registration and licensing costs will be based on user-pay, and comparable to other small vehicles.
ORV management in B.C. results from a great deal of discussion over many years with a multitude of interested groups. The ORV Coalition brought together conservation groups and ORV riders’ associations seeking common ground. Ministry officials have been consulting with the Coalition, other government agencies and other parties to try to find a workable solution.
This framework is in response to a demonstrated need for a collaborative, responsible approach to managing the concerns of a diverse set of organizations and interests. We are very pleased with what the collaboration has accomplished; within two years we will have in place a set of regulations that will make ORV use for recreation and for business safer, more accountable – and more enjoyable.
Please visit our web site at www.tca.gov.bc.ca/ORV for more information on the ORV Management Framework.
