NEWS

More good "legislative news" for OHV riders across Nova Scotia!

A pair of municipalities have recently passed their own Road Trails Designation by-laws. 

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) adopted By-law R-500 by a vote of 14-1 at a meeting of council Sept 10. The municipality says the purpose of the by-law is to "provide the ability for Council to designate road trails on HRM roadways, allowing for the operation of off-highway vehicles on those roadways designated as road trails."

No new road trails were designated as a result of the legislation, however R-500 will pave the way for possible future trail connections to be approved and implemented within the HRM.

Moving onto the Town of Digby...

The "Scallop Capital of the World" now has its own Road Trail By-law and designated Road Trails in the town. Second reading and passage of 2024-03 occurred Sept 3, with the town advertising the new by-law Sept 11. 

The HRM and Town of Digby now join the Towns of Yarmouth, Oxford, and Shelburne in passing their own Road Trail by-laws.

The following excerpt from the Digby by-law details the designated portions of streets as Road Trails:

"Designation: The Town of Town of Digby hereby designates the following portions of streets as Road Trails pursuant to section 5(2) of the Road Trails Act: 1. First Avenue from civic number 194 to the Mount Street Intersection, 2. Mount Street from First Avenue Intersection to Montague Row intersection. 3. Saint George Street Extension east of Montague Row Intersection 4. Montague Row from Saint George Street Intersection to civic number 5."

ATVANS official trail mapping application from Mapgears is now ready for use!

This interactive app is now available for installation on PC - and from both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.  The new mapping system includes the latest trail routes in Nova Scotia, trail types, connections, closures, and various services available along your route. 

The download to PC is FREE, while the cost of the mobile app from both Apple and Google is $4.99 + HST per year. To access the online version for PC, go to atvans.evtrails.com

A pair of short tutorial-style videos (for PC and Mobile), displaying the various menus and screens, along with helpful tips is now posted on ATVANS' Facebook, YouTube and our News page at atvans.org.  

Shortcuts to Mapping App Video and and app downloads:

YouTube (longer video for online PC version)

YouTube (shorter video for MOBILE app)

Google Play Store

Apple App Store

We will be monitoring the performance of this app as riders begin to make use of it. With any new app, there may be opportunities for improvement or enhancement and we invite users to pass on their feedback.

Happy Trails!

OHV riders across Nova Scotia now have more options for trail connectivity and accessing services and amenties on their vehicles! The Department of Public Works has listed the next batch of approved road trail sites, which go into effect immediately. These sites are as follows:

1. Doucetteville: 5km on Henry Maillet Rd, 2km on Doucetteville Rd, and 5km on Fourth Lake Rd to connect the rail trail to the inland trail network at Fourth Lake.

2. Framboise: 1.75km on St Peter’s Fourchu Rd and 250m on North Framboise Rd to connect MacDonalds Rd trail to trail #652.

3. Capelin Cove (Framboise): 3.25km on St. Peter’s Fourchu Rd to connect trail 679 at Capelin Cove Rd to 679 at St. Esprit Rd.

4. Kemptown: 1.55km on Kemptown Rd, connecting Upper Kemptown Rd to the Gully Lake Protected Area.

5. Mooseland: 325m on Mooseland Rd providing a legal connection between Lake Charlotte and Sheet Harbour.

6. Riversdale: 660m on Riversdale Rd, and 150m on Thorpe Rd providing a safe & legal crossing of the active rail line as well as the Black River.

7. River Tillard: 530m on Mountain Rd to connect the rail trail to trail #62.

8. Sherbrooke, Guysborough County: Two extensions of the existing road trail in the community of Sherbrooke providing access to the Sherbrooke Village Inn and River’s Edge Campground.

9. Tusket: 550m on Hwy 308 providing access to food and fuel.

These newly approved road trails bring the total to 17-provincially approved and three municipal sites. Additional proposed sites are still being reviewed by the province and ATVANS will share any updates when they become available.

Links to all approved road trails (including maps), and the Road Trails Act are included below:

All Approved Road Trails in Nova Scotia

Link to the Road Trails Act

Road Trails Act overview

ATVANS is excited to be posting a job for the position of Trail Connectivity Specialist/Project Manager to work out of our office in Lower Sackville.

Applications must be sent to execdirector@atvans.org and will be accepted until Thursday, August 8th. Only those considered for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.

Click the link below to access the full job listing and a description of the position.

Trail Connectivity Specialist Job Listing.pdf

The Town of Shelburne’s Road Trails Designation Bylaw is now officially passed following Council’s discussion of the second and final reading of the proposal on July 15.

Shelburne Bylaw Officer, Dana Nash says the town will now be getting the proper safety signage in place, including stop signs and arrows. Signage detailing a list of “do’s and dont’s,” taken directly from the Province’s Bill 273, will also be installed at each entry and exit point of the trail. Nash expects this work to be completed by September before a two-week advertising period of the bylaw occurs for the benefit of town residents. He says OHVs will then legally be allowed on the designated roadways.

Shelburne’s Road Trail Designation includes “approximately 208-metres of Spa Road, King Street to the corner of Water, all of Water Street, all of Falls Lane and Ohio Road and not beyond the Highway 103 intersection…” (excerpt taken directly from the Town’s newly approved by-law) Spa Road is connected to the existing Jordan Trail. (SEE MAP BELOW) 

Nash also identifies several areas where residents can park to load/unload their bikes. These include two “massive” vacant lots owned by the town on Water Street, the Government Wharf, the “Green Bridge” near where Falls Lane changes to Ohio Road, and at Needs and Tim Hortons on Ohio Road, near Hwy 103.

Shelburne joins the towns of Yarmouth and Oxford in approving road trails in their communities, with the Town of Digby also working on drafting their bylaw.

“I’ve spoken to the Town of Yarmouth about their road trail and they’ve had great success,“ says Nash. He adds that (Yarmouth) has not had any vocal opposition from residents or businesses and he only received two opposition letters from Shelburne residents.

Notice of Second Reading of the Road Trails Designation Bylaw 05-2024-2

TAKE NOTICE THAT Council of the Town of Oxford intends to consider the adoption (second reading) of the Road Trails Designation Bylaw 05-2024-2 at a Council Meeting to be held on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 6:00 pm. The Council meeting will be held at 105 Lower Main Street, Oxford, NS. The Council Meeting will also be virtual using the Zoom platform and will be broadcast live on Facebook.

The purpose of this bylaw is to designate part of a highway as road trail that is intended for off-highway vehicles (OHVs) that meet specific requirements.

Written submissions with any questions, concerns or comments will be considered at the time of the reading by emailing lcloney@oxfordns.ca.

Persons wishing to make a presentation verbally may do so at the Council meeting on June 27, 2024 and must pre-register with the Chief Administrative Officer by 3:30 pm on June 21, 2024.

The Bylaw may be inspected during Town Hall regular office hours 9 am – 4 pm at 105 Lower Main Street, Oxford, NS, or by visiting the Town’s website: www.oxfordns.ca

DATED at Oxford, Nova Scotia, this 23rd day of May 2024

Linda Cloney

Chief Administrative Officer

lcloney@oxfordns.ca

902-447-2624

May 16, 2024

Dear Members,

As many of you have already heard, QuadNB has announced that the reciprocal agreements with Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Ontario have ended.

The agreement that was in place allowed ATV riders from these three provinces to ride on managed QuadNB ATV trails without having to purchase a QuadNB trail permit, on the condition that they had a permit from their own provincial ATV Federation.

The termination of this agreement is unfortunate and ATVANS was not consulted prior to the decision being made. 

Effective immediately, ATVANS members who wish to ride on QuadNB’s managed trails will have to buy a New Brunswick trail permit, just like any other provincial resident. Daily and weekly trail permits are also available. For more information on purchasing these permits, go to www.quadnb.ca

Dave Bishop and Butch Guitard (Mid Valley ATV Club) speaking about the recapitalization of the Clarence North Spur Line.

Attendees at ATVANS' Annual General Meeting, at the Inn on Prince in Truro, were treated to a variety of informative presentations and opportunities to mingle with other club members. 

The AGM kicked off with a "meet & greet reception" on Friday May 3, followed by a full day of presentations, a town hall meeting, and an awards banquet on Saturday. The weekend wrapped up Sunday morning with a business meeting.

 

Delegates and guests were treated to a group of knowledgeable presenters, addressing such topics as "best practices" for running clubs, the shared strategy for trails in Nova Scotia, and a review of current and future trail mapping products.

 

The Mid-Valley ATV Club presented a report on the extensive work their club has been completing on a current project, and PEI ATV Federation Executive Director, Peter Mellish was on hand to discuss his organization's challenges and successes as well. Presentations were also given on the "rails to trails" update, disaster relief efforts, and grant funding.

   

Awards were handed out following the dinner. The winners are as follows:

1. Trail Builder of the Year: Boyd Moore, Sunrise Trails ATV Club
2. Executive Member of the Year: Chris McQuaid, Sheet Harbour Snowmobile & ATV Club
3. Club of the Year: Pictou County ATV Club
4. Ray Gouthro Memorial Award (given to someone in the opinion of the executive director has demonstrated a significant and ongoing commitment to our organization over time.): Paul Smith, ATVANS Treasurer, PUMA ATV Club
5. Overcoming Adversity Award: Safety Minded ATV Association
6. Bob Wright Memorial Spirit of Riding Award: Leo LeBlanc, Sou'west Nova ATV Association
7. Volunteer of the Year: Debbie and Wally Shute, North Shore ATV Club    
8. Landowner Partner of the Year: Irving Woodlands, a division of J.D. Irving Limited.
9. Certificate of Merit: In recognition of the bravery, selflessness, and compassion displayed by Colin MacInnis, Adam Partridge, David MacDonald, Bernard MacInnis, Kyle MacInnis, and Andrew MacInnis in Arisaig, Nova Scotia on February 3 and 4, 2024. **RECIPIENTS ARE MEMBERS OF EIGG MOUNTAIN TRAIL ASSOCIATION**

  

 

  

Two new clubs joining the ATVANS family in April are working overtime to build their membership numbers and get their trails ready for a busy riding season.

One of the newest additions to the ATVANS roster of ATV clubs is the "BCALM Freewheelers Trail Society." The name of the group is derived from the names of the communities in their area of Cape Breton Island (B - Bateston, C - Catalone, A - Albert Bridge, L - Louisbourg, Lorraine, M - Marion Bridge, Main-a-dieu).

Say hello to the Musquodoboit Harbour Trail Runners Association! MHTRA is the most recent addition to the list - our 44th club. The newly formed club held its first meeting  on April 23.  Congratulations, and good luck!