Township staff have been directed to work with neighbouring municipalities on the possibility of crafting a bylaw regulating the use of ATVs on local roads and trails.
Staff were directed to investigate the issue after Mapleton council received a letter from Drayton resident Dean Dajko regarding motorized vehicles using the Conestogo River trail in the area of River Run Road.
“There are numerous ATVs and motorcycles speeding along this trail and it is only a matter of time before someone gets hit” states Dajko in the letter.
“Many of my neighbours along with myself have called the police and on one occasion, we witnessed one of the motorcycle drivers (mainly kids under 16 driving) getting stopped by the police because one neighbour reported him after he almost hit him and his son while driving at excessive speeds.”
Dajko notes riders must be getting to the trail by driving on the roads, although ATVs are not allowed on village streets.
“I realize that some of this is probably more of a police issue than a township issue, but I do believe that something has to be done on the walking trails, perhaps blockades at both ends and more signage,” he suggested.
Councillor Michael Martin said he is aware local citizens have been “voicing their concern” on the issue over the summer, and “it’s clearly an issue.” However he isn’t convinced barriers are the answer.
“As far as potentially putting barriers at he main entrances to that trail … I’m not really sure its worth our money and staff time to throw up barriers like that especially when you have access from so many different points,” he stated.
Councillor Dennis Craven said passing a bylaw might not work either.
“Bylaws are good and they’re not hard to make, but they’re awful hard to enforce,” he pointed out. “If someone’s on the trail with the ATV and you phone the bylaw officer, by the time the bylaw officer’s out there they’re in the next county.”
Councillor Lori Woodham suggested asking CAO Brad McRoberts to investigate the situation and recommend possible solutions.
McRoberts pointed out there were some discussions among area municipalities last spring about creating bylaws to regulate use of ATVs on municipal roads.
He suggested contacting other northern Wellington municipalities about getting together to work on a bylaw to bring forth to the individual councils for review.
Council directed staff to proceed with discussions and report back.
