After a Timmins councillor asked the city to look at a trial period allowing ATVs on some city roads, a report from the police chief is up for discussion tonight.
At the last meeting, Coun. John Curley talked about potentially opening up some streets to ATVs, similar to the program for snowmobiles over the past couple of winters.
A report from Timmins Police Chief John Gauthier is part of tonight's (June 16) meeting agenda. A recommendation on what direction council should take is not included, however it includes items to consider such as if the access would be year-round, partnerships, as well as safety concerns.
In its key points, the report notes other areas that have ATV bylaws.
It includes smaller municipalities such as Kapuskasing and Iroquois Falls.
"The number of operators would be a smaller percentage of the overall population. Generally the operation of these vehicles in these types of smaller municipalities would be very easy to monitor and ensure compliance therefore public safety would be less of a concern. In addition there is less vehicular traffic to compete with and the built up areas are dramatically smaller," it reads.
Sudbury also has a bylaw allowing certain off-road vehicles on clearly indicated streets and roads.
In areas that allow ATVs access to roads, the report lists criteria for operators.
It includes having a valid Ontario driver's license, insurance requirements, mandating all riders to have an approved helmet, not allowing children under the age of eight as a passenger on an ATV operating on-road, hours for when vehicles are allowed on the streets, speed limits (20 km/hr where the regular limit isn't over 50 km/hr), and more.
"In analyzing the need to allow ATVs, ORVs and UTVs on municipal roadways consideration for the need for public safetly must be paramount. These vehicles are increasing in engine size and horsepower and to expect novice and sometimes experienced operators to maintain control of these vehicles would be unrealistic," reads the report.
Safety issues to consider are also listed.
Those include ATVs being more susceptible to rollovers, that they're less stable when driven on asphalt, and don't have turn signals. 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 are also listed.
It notes that ATVs weren't designed to be operated on city streets.
"ATVs are not road legal for one reason: Safety," reads the report, which later on highlights a 2019 Public Health Ontario report indicating that in 2015-16 there were more than 11,000 ATV-related ER visits and hospitalizations, whereas there were 2,900 snowmobile-related visits.
Another consideration it includes is if ATVs would be allowed year-round. Currently, there are also no partnerships with the Timmins Snowmobile Club and it's not known if there are ATV/UTV clubs in Timmins.
Read the chief's full report here.
The council meeting is at 6 p.m. You can watch it online here.
