The Off-Road Vehicle Coalition would like to clarify some inaccurate statements from Cam Fortems’ article Rules Tightened for Off-road Riders," Nov. 11, 2009.

Firstly, it is important to recognize that the Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Coalition is a group of 11 organizations — including ORV riders, recreation groups, the ranching industry and environmental groups — that worked collaboratively and tirelessly for over seven years to see regulations in B.C. for off-road vehicles. Collectively, the Coalition represents over 100,000 members in the province that support regulatory change, bringing B.C. in line with the rest of Canada, the US and Mexico.

This diverse group came to agreement on 47 recommendations covering new regulations, including registration, safety, environment, compliance and enforcement, and trail management (including road crossings).

Although many organizations have participated in bringing this issue to government, the ORV Coalition was instrumental in the recently announced management framework for ORVs in B.C., working closely with this Ministry over the last several years. 

Secondly, ORV Coalition co-chair Bruno Delesalle was quoted as saying he believed that the province should move to mandatory annual licensing with funds used for trail development. This is not accurate – Mr. Delesalle was responding to the question: what did the Coalition NOT get in this announcement - which is a funding mechanism for training and education programs, trail patrol groups and other enforcement mechanisms, environmental damage mitigation and trail enhancement; by no means was Mr. Delesalle suggesting that government pursue "mandatory" annual licensing.

The Coalition had recommended that annual licensing funds or some other system provide the means for ORV groups to address these issues, but this was contentious and the solution of making licensing voluntary and linked to road crossings was reached. There is no doubt that over the longer term, some form of funding will be required, and the Coalition is committed to working with government on this and other policy issues.  

TASHA SARGENT

ORV Coalition Coordinator

Comments