On the heels of the city opening some streets up to snowmobiles, the Timmins ATV Club is looking to phase in a similar program.
At Tuesday's Timmins council meeting, club members presented a phased-in approach to allow ATVs on certain streets to access trails and services.
While there was some support for the idea, council isn't rushing into an agreement. The trail system not being finished yet, along with safety and noise concerns are among the reasons.
The city currently has a bylaw allowing snowmobiles on certain streets to access OFSC trails as well as gas stations, hotels and restaurants. That initiative was phased in over a number of years.
“I have greater concerns with ATVs being on the street than I do snowmobiles,” Timmins Police Chief John Gauthier told council this week.
“Just on the noise complaint issue alone, you’re talking about the summer months. People are outside trying to enjoy the nice weather, they’re in their yards, they have their windows open at night. I can’t imagine how many noise complaints we’re going to have even at stage one.”
Another issue he noted is the speed limits needing to be enforced, which he said is very difficult for police to do.
Allowing ATVs on city streets was up for discussion at council in June 2020, but a decision was never made on the item. A number of councillors at the time noted the idea was brought up by a councillor and not a local club.
The newly formed Timmins ATV Club is developing trails and is part of the Ontario Federation of All-Terrain Vehicles (OFATV), said Marc Lapalme at this week's meeting.
The club's phased-in proposal is to start with opening up streets in the west end of town. Phase two would include a section of Shirley Street and streets in the south side of Timmins, as well as the back road. The third phase would include Schumacher, South Porcupine, Porcupine and Connaught.
Lapalme said they want to promote safe and legal compliance.
“If it’s legal to ride on the street then there’s no need to speed excessively or recklessly causing any kind of harm or danger,” he said.
To use designated streets, the club's proposal is that the vehicle must have a valid OFATV permit and obey all the rules of the Operation of Off-Road Vehicles on Highways Act and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation Smart Ride Safe Ride.
Some of those rules are driving 30 km/hr below the posted speed limit, being at least 16 years old, having at least a G2 or M2 licence, valid insurance and registration, properly wearing a certified helmet and passengers must be at least eight years old.
Like the snowmobile bylaw, the ATV club's proposal would not include major streets or streets around schools. The suggestion is to only allow the activity from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and for the season to run from May 1 to Oct. 31.
Last year, Gauthier prepared a report outlining safety concerns and other considerations for council. This week, the top cop said he stands by the contents of report.
The report notes smaller communities such as Iroquois Falls and Kapuskasing allow ATVs on some roads. Sudbury also has a bylaw permitting it.
“In analyzing the need to allow ATVs, ORVs and UTVs on municipal roadways consideration for the need for public safety should always be paramount. These vehicles are increasing in size and horsepower and to expect novice and sometimes experienced operators to maintain control of these vehicles would be unrealistic,” reads the report.
Other issues to consider that were noted last year by Gauthier are visibility because the sightlines are different, there are no turn signals, and the lack of safety equipment such as seatbelts and airbags.
Awareness that there would be an increase in traffic complaints, an increase in motor vehicle collisions — including those with injuries, and an increase in noise complaints were also listed.
Gauthier told council this week that there has been no consultation with Timminis Police yet.
“I think it would be hasty, to say the least, to move towards a resolution in the next couple of weeks in order to pass this until such time that my traffic section and the traffic sergeant — who’s been reassigned right now for temporarily — and really mull through this,” he said.
Coun. John Curley, who requested the chief's report last year, is supportive of the trial, saying it's long overdue.
Coun. Andrew Marks said the snowmobile process wasn't rushed through. While he agrees with a trial, he said further dialogue and reports are required.
Because there are no official trails yet, Coun. Rock Whissell said the request is a little early. Once there is a trail system in place, he is willing to look at the phase one trail with the approval of council and police. He also added that having trails recognized with the OFATV would be positive for the community.
Buy-in from the people in the areas affected would also be needed, said Coun. Kristin Murray.
No decision on the item was made at the meeting.
