Have you talked to and heard back from the Health Unit?

The Health Unit has been contacted but their response has been delayed due to Covid. Their staff have been busy organizing the vaccination protocols for the residents in Kawartha Lakes.

Has something happened to change the concerns the health unit had when they looked into this in 2009, 2011, 2013?

We are looking for an update regarding health and safety information from within our local health unit.

Have you received written comments on the proposed route through Lindsay from Kawartha Lakes Police Services?

The Kawartha Lakes Police Service have been part of the conversation since the Task Force began. A request has been sent to the KLPS and we are awaiting their report.

Have you read the detailed explanation in that special council report from Feb 5^th 2013, on why the ATV route through Lindsay that was proposed at that time was not recommended?

We now have 13 years of positive experience with ATV routes running through some of our own community as well as neighbouring communities that border Kawartha Lakes. Council felt it was time to review the request and make their own decision based on updated information.

Have you talked to representatives from municipalities who have decided not to allow ATVs on their roads to find out their reasons?

Yes we have. Several municipalities surrounding us have successfully opened some or all of their roads to ORVs and others are still in the review process much like we are.

Have you talked to downtown Lindsay business owners to find out whether they think ORV use on the roads will have the economic benefit the task force feels it will have?

Yes, and like all issues there are varying opinions. The BIA Board of Directors is fully informed as to the recommendations and asked to participate in the survey. The Lindsay Chamber of Commerce has also sent the survey out to all of their members.

Have you checked what ATV and SxS manufacturers have to say about driving their vehicles on the roads?

Yes we have. The manufacturers through the Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributor’s Council (COHV) has a wealth of educational material available to all ORV users in Canada to help promote the safe use of ORVs.

Have you researched what the recreational off highway vehicle association has to say?

Yes we have. The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA) promotes the safe and responsible use of recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) manufactured or distributed in the United States. Their mandate does not include Canada, specifically Ontario where we have much stricter laws regarding the use of ORVs on roads and the mandatory use of safety equipment.

Have you calculated the potential costs of allowing ORV use on the roads, costs such as enforcement and road maintenance?

Public Works advises there have been no appreciable wear and tear on City infrastructure in areas where ORVs have been permitted on City roads for more than 10 years.

Policing is already carried out by the policing agency in their area of responsibility. They determine based on resources and complaints what priorities they give to particular incidents. They do not traditionally devote resources to one specific area. ie: They don’t have units devoted to watching bicycles for infractions, ball games for illegal consumption of alcohol or dog owners for failing to scoop after their dogs. Thy will enforce ORV violations in the same manner as they do all violations within the municipality.

What do the OPP and Lindsay Police recommend?

The ORV task force is waiting on reports from the law enforcement agencies within the municipality.

How are they preparing for enforcement?

That would be a question best directed to the individual policing agencies, it most likely will be included in the report.

What do the local health unit recommend?

They have been sent a copy of the recommendations, requesting a written response. Once the report is issued it will be added into the public record and shared.

What preventative action will be taken to reduce the likelihood of adverse health concerns?

KATVA will be providing a safety education component to all KATVA members. They also offer ATV and SxS safety training to any ORV owners who are interested.

What signage should the city be putting in place to direct people?

The City staff will determine what signage is required and KATVA has offered to pay for it just as they have paid for all ORV signage on the existing ORV routes through Fenelon Falls for over 10 years.

What will help with so many drivers unfamiliar with the area coming in?

KATVA members will be provided with maps in both a digital and paper format and there will be signage on all approved routes. There will also be maps posted at each of the trail heads in Lindsay to show riders the approved routes through town.

What public education activities would help prepare awareness for the changes?

The City is currently advertising all recommended routes on the website and through various social media. If recommendations are approved, those approved changes would be advertised in the normal manner through our City Communication department as well as through KATVA to all of their members.

How can young age groups be reached?

Social Media seems to reach youth these days and there is lots of information about safety practices and rules on the KATVA website. KATVA also has free safety education materials and hands on rider training courses that are available to youth.

What is different in driving on roads vs trails?

An ORV user operating on the trails is required to follow the same rules such as speed, license plate, insurance, passengers, helmets and equipment requirements as someone who rides on the roads. The only real difference is someone riding an ORV on the trails does not require a drivers license unless they are going to be crossing roads or riding the roads to connect from one trail to the next.

Who will take the lead in dealing with all of the safety issues?

KATVA has committed to continue what they’ve always done, working with their members as well as law enforcement agencies and city staff to educate ORV riders on the safe use of ORVs on roads and trails. Outreach and public education are important to the success of this pilot project.

What have been the experiences elsewhere when similar changes have been introduced?

There are many municipalities surrounding the City of Kawartha Lakes that have had roads opened for number of years and it’s been successful. We’re not aware of any municipalities that have closed the roads after the designated trial period was over. In fact a number of roads in the north end of our municipality have been open for more than 10 years without any negative impact to the municipality.

How will the experience be documented and analyzed over the coming years to make improvements and reduce risks and problems?

Public feedback, from all users, and information provided by organizations such as law enforcement agencies and the local public health unit.

Did KATVA cover all expenses of maintaining motorized trails, if not, what were the city’s expenses?

KATVA has donated in excess of $200,000.00 and countless hours of physical labour to the maintenance and upgrading of the multi-use trails in Kawartha Lakes. This question is bested directed to the Trail Master Plan as to what portion of the overall costs that is.

They have also donated equipment such as ATVs and SxS for the bylaw department and the Burnt River Fire Station to assist city staff with their jobs and to reduce costs to the taxpayers. KATVA will continue to invest in the community as they always have.

I will note that aside from KATVA, the snowmobile clubs and the dirt bike clubs, none of the other user groups donate anything financially to the maintenance or upkeep of the multi-use trails.

What are city’s expected expenses for more ORV traffic and enforcement?

No additional expenses are anticipated. There are no additional costs expected for road maintenance and law enforcement agencies already have budgets to work with to patrol the roads and trails.

What happens when a road shoulder gives way and there are serious injuries?

There are no indications the City shoulders are in a state of disrepair.

Will ORVs on the streets of Lindsay be policed by the OPP or KLPS?

Jurisdictions will remain the same, OPP will continue to enforce where they currently enforce and the same with KLPS

If this is allowed, will it be required to have signal lights and mirrors on the ATVs?

All equipment requirements as laid out in MTO regulations for road use will have to be met by ORV users on roads in Kawartha Lakes. Hand signals will continue to be used just as they are used with motorcycles.