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City asked to ban ATVs from trails

Ray Martin, Cambridge

(Nov 16, 2007)

The peace and solitude of Cambridge‘s natural areas is being shattered by the wail of ATVs as they tear down the city’s multi-use trails.

During the presentation of the Cambridge Trails Advisory Committee’s annual report committee chair Bob McMullen told council, “something has to be done about these ATVs.”

“These ATVs are dangerous. They are destroying the trails,” he said. “What we need is a clear and enforceable bylaw.”

McMullen said the city’s current bylaw does not clearly prohibit ATVs and suggested a bylaw similar to that of Welland which sets a $1,000 fine.

In his presentation, McMullen showed council photographs of ATVs using the trails and said that one cyclist has been accosted by ATV riders on the trails.

McMullen suggested the problem might be corrected by better signs and the installation of large stones at the trail entrances which would block the ATVs but would still allow hikers, cyclists and small wagons through the access point.

In addition to the ATV problem, McMullen asked council to consider additional funding for the trail system. In 1997, the trails were budgeted $200,000 annually for maintenance and development. There has been no increase in funding since….

Hey folks, check this out. This was written with no prodding from us :

Nov. 13, 2007 KEVIN SWAYZE RECORD STAFF CAMBRIDGE

All terrain vehicles are destroying the city’s new hiking trail system along the Speed River in Hespeler, but nobody seems to be able to do anything to stop it.

And when hikers on the Mill Run trail in north Preston tell ATV riders they’re not supposed to be there, the response isn’t a warm one, says Bob McMullen, chair of the city’s trails advisory committee.

“I know a young man on the Mill Run has been accosted, physically accosted, for talking to the ATVers,” he said after showing city council pictures of people riding all_terrain vehicles on trails.

McMullen wants the city to pass a clear, anti_ATV bylaw with a $1,000 fine. He also wants police and city staff to enforce the rules to ensure safety for trail users. McMullen also called for city staff to carry digital cameras whenever they police the trails.

“People don’t like their pictures taken and that’s the only evidence you’re going to get,” he said.

Coun. Rick Cowsill represents Hespeler on council and has heard plenty of complaints about the all_terrain vehicles in his ward. He said the city already has a bylaw to ban them from the trails and sent a copy of it to Waterloo regional police. “I don’t know why we aren’t enforcing it __ the devastation, you’ve got to see it to believe it. It’s scary to see what these ATVs are doing,” Cowsill said.

Big rocks or posts are needed to block trails from all_terrain vehicles, but not people on foot or bicycles, he said. “These guys who are driving these things don’t give a hoot,” Cowsill said, as he called on staff to investigate the problem.

Coun. Gary Price said the issue will be discussed at the next trails committee meeting, of which he’s a member…

The path on the Ontario Ministry Of Transportation lands on the western extreme of the Chilligo Valley running parallel to the bypass has remained for the most part a footpath with a nicely built wooden blockade built by a Friend Of Chilligo. Sadly we must report that the ATV riders have decided to establish this footpath as yet another highway through this wetland. The blockade was just bypassed at the expense of many young trees. We ask that local residents call the Police ( 519-653-7700 ) to report any sightings. Give us addresses and names which we will publish.

ATV enthusiasts continue to ride along the Mill Run Trail ( illegal ), continuing on to MTO land ( illegal ) , mudslinging on GRCA land and creeks ( illegal ) and have their way on trails within Regional Road allowances ( illegal ). Through their actions, these trails are being destroyed and new trails unnecessarily created, putting one of Cambridge’s last green spaces at risk.

Please help us protect this land. Report illegal riding and contact the City of Cambridge to encourage them to enforce their own bylaws.