A new law designed to crack down on irresponsible outdoor recreation vehicle operators has been introduced to the BC legislature.
The law targets reckless owners and drivers of snowmobiles, dirt bikes, quads and other off-road vehicles that destroy public lands.
The government estimates there are over 200,000 off-road vehicles in BC.
Minister of forests, lands and natural resource operations Steve Thomson introduced Bill 13, the Off-Road Vehicle Act, before the BC legislature on February 24. The bill replaces the 40-year-old Motor Vehicle (All Terrain) Act.
“Whether hunting, fishing, getting back to nature or just getting to work, many outdoor enthusiasts rely on off-road vehicles to augment their rural experience,” said Thomson in a media release announcing the bill. “The Off-Road Vehicle Act will secure the future of off-road vehicle use in a way that’s self-sustaining, safe and environmentally responsible.”
Owners will pay a one-time registration fee of $48 and will have to have a licence plate displayed while travelling on Crown or public land. Regulations will also require drivers to wear helmets on public and Crown land.
The bill gives peace officers, such as forest wardens and conservation, and police officers the ability to stop and identify owners, hand out fines and seize vehicles for safety concerns. The maximum fine for offences will increase from $500 to $5,000. A database of vehicles will be integrated with the Insurance Corporation of BC and give officers the ability to track stolen off-road vehicles.
Powell River Regional District chair Colin Palmer applauds the government’s move. “There is a legitimate and proven need for this to be put in place,” he said, adding that not too long ago he heard about riders crossing Myrtle Creek with outdoor recreation vehicles and chewing up the stream—the only wild salmon stream in the region.
He said there are examples of a few irresponsible riders who “create a big problem for the rest of them.”
Western Forest Products has experienced a lot of vandalism at the hands of young riders. In the past there has been no way to identify them, said Palmer. “Someone will actually deal with them now and can seize their vehicles and hand out fines,” he said. “The message is, this is serious.”
Powell River All Terrain Vehicle Club president Mario Gusola said despite the fact that outback clubs promote responsible riding as a core value, there are still some people who chew up maintained trails and damage sensitive ecosystems. “I hear a lot of complaints about that,” he said.
He hopes the new measures will stem the theft of quads which seems to be increasing in the province.
The proposed legislation is expected to be passed in the fall.
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