Motorists can expect to see a lot more off-road vehicles (ORVs) on municipal roads.
Chatham-Kent Council has supported a new ORV bylaw, which allows ATVs and similar vehicles on most rural highways and roadways in CK. The close 9-8 vote was met with a round of applause by the gallery, many of whom were a part of the Chatham-Kent ATV club. But now that the bylaw is in effect, the group has no plans to disband.
"We can [now] enjoy it," says member John Van Heck. "But we can also influence those that aren't riding correctly, and maybe get them in the fold of riding better. I think [the group is] instrumental in showing the council there's a bunch of level-headed people that want to ATV."
Some councillors expressed concerns about liability issues, and riders not following the rules laid out in the bylaw. But Van Heck argues rulebreaking ATV riders will always be around, whether regulations are in place or not.
"There are bad apples, and they aren't concerned whether we have an ATV law or not... because they're out riding whenever they want to. Really those guys need to be dealt with properly, and I think it's going to become a more responsible mix," says Van Heck.
The bylaw still prohibits ATVs and similar vehicles on city and town streets, as well as major highways like the 401 and Highway 40. The new regulations will run for a year-long trial period until March 2017.