NEWS

Town of Yarmouth Leads the Way on ATV Road Use

The Town of Yarmouth was first off the blocks, allowing ATV use on a public roadway. Council approved a bylaw Thursday, October 26^th enabling trail connectivity from one side of town to the other. Riders will now be connected from Digby to Yarmouth and on to Port Clyde, creating over 200 kilometers of connected trail. The bylaw comes into effect November 1^st and trail signage will be installed in the coming days. 

Mayor Pam Mood spoke about the economic value of the trail and business opportunities it would provide. She also encouraged riders to use peer pressure to get the message out about following the rules as set out in the Road Trails act and the Town bylaw. The vote was unanimous, with all councilors present voting in favour. 

“This is a big step forward in creating a fully connected trail network“ said Barry Barnet, Executive Director ATVANS. Club members who worked hard to make this happen were also present.

ATVANS Executive Director, Barry Barnet (second from left) with Yarmouth Council following passage of the bylaw.

Several other municipalities across the province are also in the planning stages of developing similar bylaws and ATVANS has submitted several applications to the province for Road Trails on provincially owned roads. 

Road Trails Act (nslegislature.ca)

Please see the following press release from the Government of Nova Scotia:

New Rules for Off-Highway Vehicles in Effect

Public Works

September 29, 2023 - 8:59 AM

A pilot project that allows off-highway vehicles (OHVs) to access trails and services via designated road shoulders and roadways will become permanent today, September 29.

“After a successful pilot project, off-highway vehicle operators have demonstrated they can use their vehicles safely and responsibly on designated public roads,” said Public Works Minister Kim Masland. “By making this project permanent, we are helping riders get from one trail to another safely and supporting economic development in rural areas by giving better access to services like gas stations and restaurants.”

The Road Trails Act, which includes the same requirements as the pilot project, requires riders to have a valid driver’s licence, insurance, registration and a licence plate.

It also outlines rules and penalties, and gives municipalities the ability to designate local streets for off-highway vehicle use through bylaws.

New regulations under the Road Trails Act also set out requirements for vehicle equipment, helmets and road signage for designated roads.

Quick Facts:

the off-highway vehicle pilot project started in 2018

the Road Trails Act applies to all-terrain vehicles, including multipurpose off-highway utility vehicles and recreational off-highway vehicles, as well as dirt bikes

the new act was introduced in the spring sitting of the legislature

Additional Resources:

Road Trails Act: https://nslegislature.ca/.../64th_1st/3rd_read/b273.htm

Off-highway vehicle pilot project and reports, including designated roads: https://novascotia.ca/ohv-pilot/

Department of Public Works on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter: https://twitter.com/NS_PublicWorks

TWITTER.COM

Department of Public Works (@NS_PublicWorks) / X

ATVANS is a rapidly growing organization, with growth comes both challenges and opportunities. Today we are posting two new employment opportunities that we believe will improve our organization and lead to even more growth.  We will be receiving resumes starting today until July 18th. If you or someone you know fits our needs please feel free to share the job placement information. Our plan is to hire and start this summer. No phone calls please. Thank you, Barry Barnet Executive Director  Communications Coordinator Job Listing 2023.pdf Project Manager Job Listing 2023.pdf

$25 Short-term 30-day membership now available online only 

ATVANS now offers a short-term 30-day membership. Those who choose the 30-day membership will not receive an ATVANS sticker, however, immediately upon payment they will be emailed a letter of membership. This letter is proof of trail permit and should be printed and kept with the machine during the 30-day period. 

This is an ideal way for new members and others try out an ATVANS membership/trail permit. It is also a good option for guests and travelers from outside Nova Scotia who may not be part of existing provincial reciprocating agreements such as QuadNB, Ride PEI or OFATV. Please note: the short-term 30-day membership is NOT valid under those reciprocal agreements. 

Should an individual purchase more than one 30-day membership in a single year ATVANS can convert it to a full membership for the balance of the year. Members will be required to select a club at that point. 

The short-term membership expires 30 days after purchase. 

Hello Folks,  Some more news from the ROAD TRAILS ACT meeting last week.  Many are aware that the act has received Royal Assent but awaits proclamation – this is when the act goes into effect. The meeting with Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (TIR) staff went well; we have submitted 38 locations identified by clubs across the province and will be providing TIR with more information. This includes land use agreements where required or letters of authority, evidence of community support and if we do not have this, we will begin to gather it with the assistance of the clubs and finally, exact GPS coordinates.  Staff at TIR and Public Works are preparing an application form to be used for future sites. We also learned that future sites would flow from clubs to ATVANS and then on to TIR staff for consideration.  For Road Trails on municipal-owned roads, we understand they can proceed through their bylaw process and some have already begun.  Progress is being made and as we learn more, we will share it with members and on our website. These are exciting times that will create so many trail connections across Nova Scotia.  Thank you,  Barry Barnet  Executive Director  ATVANS

Late last night we learned the Road Trails Act unanimously passed third and final reading. This is great news. Once again, I would like to thank everyone who was involved with this huge effort to bring about positive change for our sport and organization.  

The Act still needs to be proclaimed into law and we need more information on exactly how roads will be identified as “Road Trails”. We have submitted a long list of prospective areas created in conjunction with local clubs. 

The passage of this Act does not mean you can ride your ATV or side by side on any road today. Further details need to be communicated from the department and as we learn those details we will share through our emails and on our website. 

You can find up-to-date information on the Share The Road page on our website. 

Thank you,

Barry Barnet 
Executive Director 

Bill 273, the Road Trails Act, has now passed the second reading and has been passed to the Law Amendments Committee.

Click here for more information on Share The Road

For more information on Bill 273 and the legislative process, click here: https://nslegislature.ca/legislative-business/bills-statutes/bills/assembly-64-session-1/bill-273

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

AWESOME Day for ATVANS and ATV Riding in Nova Scotia 

Bill to Allow OHV Road Travel in Nova Scotia Introduced 

Today Minister Kim Masland introduced a bill putting an end to the “Share The Road” pilot project and making road travel in certain areas legal in Nova Scotia. The bill applies the same rules as the pilot project and new candidate sites will be added as they are evaluated. The bill also allows for municipalities to create bylaws to allow OHV travel on roads they control, where appropriate. 

This is an exciting time for our organization and sport. This was a ten-year effort that finally paid off. We will need to have clear communication and the bill must still make its way through the legislative process. Government has assured me that they will make this happen quickly.  

ATVANS will provide additional details as we learn them in the coming days. 

In attendance at the legislature were Barry Barnet, Executive Director, Paul Smith, Treasurer, Tom Arnold, Vice President, Eric Rideout, Trails Coordinator and Jen MacIsaac, Member Services Coordinator. 

L-R: Tory Rushton (Cumberland South), Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables; Jen MacIsaac, ATVANS Member Services Coordinator; Eric Rideout, ATVANS Trails Coordinator; Kim Masland (Queens), Minister of Public Works; Barry Barnet, ATVANS Executive Director; Tim Houston (Pictou East), Premier of Nova Scotia; Barb Adams (Eastern Passage), Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care; Danielle Barkhouse (Chester-St. Margaret's), Deputy Speaker; Tom Arnold, ATVANS Vice President 2; Paul Smith, ATVANS Treasurer; Brad Johns (Sackville-Uniacke), Attorney General and Minister of Justice

We have included the government press release for additional information: 

News release 

Legislation Supports Off-Highway Vehicle Use 

Public Works 

March 24, 2023 - 9:14 AM 

The new Road Trails Act, introduced today, March 24, creates a permanent set of rules so off-highway vehicle (OHV) operators can safely enjoy their vehicles on roads at approved locations. 

This also gives riders improved trail connections and better access to services like gas stations and restaurants. 

“The OHV pilot project showed us that Nova Scotians want to be able to use their vehicles to have fun, meet up with friends and enjoy the natural beauty of our province,” said Public Works Minister Kim Masland. “This legislation makes sure we can continue to use current OHV sites, while giving us a way to safely add more connections.” 

The rules for using portions of provincial roads will remain the same as they were under the pilot project. Riders are required to have a valid driver’s licence, insurance, registration and a licence plate. 

The act also allows for enforcement of the rules and gives municipalities the ability to designate local streets for the use of off-highway vehicles through bylaws. 

Quotes: 
Our members across Nova Scotia have been patiently waiting for this day. This legislation will help us make vital connections, create safer travel and grow the local economy. 
Barry Barnet, Executive Director, All-Terrain Vehicle Association of Nova Scotia 

Quick Facts: 

• the off-highway vehicle pilot project started in 2018 and will end October 2, 2023 

• Nova Scotia’s Off-highway Vehicles Act has not been amended significantly since 2006 

Additional Resources: 

Off-highway vehicle pilot project and reports: https://novascotia.ca/ohv-pilot/ 

Department of Public Works on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NS_PublicWorks 

Bill 273 (as introduced), First Reading: 
https://nslegislature.ca/legislative-business/bills-statutes/bills/assembly-64-session-1/bill-273

From ATVANS Executive Director, Barry Barnet:

ATVANS promotes safe responsible ATVing across Nova Scotia. Last fall members were asked to provide input into a study being conducted on behalf of Injury Free Nova Scotia. Although I don’t concur with all the results of the study some important findings and recommendations are embedded within the report. Most importantly: addressing effective enforcement of existing OHV rules, following known and proven safety measures like wearing proper equipment, safety training and refraining from using drugs and alcohol while riding.  

The report is very detailed and can be viewed by clicking on the attached link:

A Path Towards Improved OHV Rider Safety Report.pdf

The following CCH grant program deadline is fast approaching. Do not miss your opportunity to apply for and receive grant funding for your upcoming trail project. Applications are now being accepted for the 2023-2024 program. The deadline is March 14^th 2023.

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The Recreational Trail Expansion Grant Program 2023-2024 is now accepting applications. 

This Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage (CCH) grant program provides funding to community groups, municipalities, Mi’kmaq Band Councils, and not-for- profit organizations to develop new trails, expand recreational trails, and perform capital upgrades to existing trails in order to increase opportunities for Nova Scotians to recreate in the outdoors and connect with nature.  

The guidelines for the Recreational Trail Expansion Grant program are attached. Soon they will be available on the Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage web site. The deadline to apply is March 14^th, 2023.  We strongly encourage you to discuss your project with your CCTH Regional Manager before submitting an application. Regional Manager contact information can be found on the final page of the attached Guidelines.

2023.2024 Recreational Trail Expansion Guidelines.pdf