New rules for ATV riders

March 18, 2009

MIRAMICHI - When young ATV riders hit the trails this summer, there will be new rules in places to help keep them safe.

Last week the province announced new regulations to create closed courses for off-road vehicle riders under 14 and limit the size of vehicles for riders under 16.

Miramichi Off-Road ATV Club president Scott Black said the new regulations give younger riders a chance to get educated on safe riding practices so they can get on the trails as they get older.

"All in all it's a great step because they wanted an all-out ban on the smaller version of the ATVs, but now it gives them the opportunity to start at a younger age."

Under the new regulations, riders under the age of 16 must be supervised by an adult who has completed a safety training course.

The Miramichi Off-Road ATV club will offer training courses this spring and there will be no charge for youth, he said.

"As the weather warms up we'll create a course and put on safety training courses for the youngsters."

Spaces are limited and the course will be offered on a first come, first serve basis, with a cost of $20 for adults.

Black said most parents already let their kids drive with them on the back of their ATVs when they are out on the trails.

"At this point people are just starting to ramp up and look at smaller ATVs for kids."

The regulations are a step in the right direction because a lot of kids would have already been driving ATVs, he said.

"It all comes down to common sense anyway."

Black said the local ATV club plans on setting up a closed course, but they haven't started looking at where to build it yet.

"Each club across the province is looking to create 10 kilometres of closed course."

Off-road vehicle enforcement Supt. Dan Pugh said the government kept his department updated throughout the process and about consultations with stakeholders.

"I think at the end of the day it's a document everybody feels comfortable with."

The enforcement officers don't see a lot of youth out on the trails on their own, but there a lot out with families, he said.

"That's a good thing. We don't have a lot of youth violations."

Pugh said the new regulations provide structure for the enforcement officers and he added the sport is growing around the province.

"It's a good situation that we have structure and that we have good regulations in place to protect the safety of young riders."

Michelle Conroy has two boys ages 5 and 8 who ride ATVs and said at first she didn't agree with the new regulations.

"You just have to know your kids and know what they can handle."

Some people think the machines are dangerous, but it comes down to the responsibility of the person driving them, she said.

"You can get hurt riding a bicycle too."

But Conroy said as long as they drive slow, she doesn't think kids should be prohibited from driving ATVs.

"I think they should be monitored big time because something can happen pretty fast."

Her boys have been on ATVs since before they were old enough to walk and love the sport, she said.

"They travel with us. They're always looking to get on them."

Conroy's full-sized ATV dwarfed the one her son rides as they sat side-by- side in the family's icy driveway.

Although she said he can handle the much larger machine there are size appropriate vehicles available for younger drivers.

"You just need common sense."