Lacombe County wants to hear what quad riders think about a new bylaw to regulate off-highway vehicles.
Under the province’s Traffic Safety Act, off-highway vehicles are not allowed on highways. However, municipalities are allowed to set their own rules for the vehicles on municipally owned roads as long as they do not contradict the act.
The county’s bylaw replaces an older version that only applied to snowmobiles. Currently, riding quads or all-terrain vehicles on county roads is illegal. The bylaw changes will change that while imposing a set of rules on riders.
An open house has been set for Thursday at 7 p.m. in Lacombe County Council Chambers on Hwy 12 about four km west of Hwy 2.
Under the proposed bylaw, off-highway vehicle owners would be required to have valid driver’s licence and must wear a helmet. On roads, they must travel on the edge of the road in the same direction as travel and can’t go faster than 30 km/h in ditches and in multi-lot subdivisions or hamlets and 50 km/h on the road. Operation is restricted to 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
In parks, riders can only use designated, signed areas.
Provincial regulations also apply, such as the requirement that the vehicles be properly registered, insured and carry a valid licence plate.
The county plans to prepare a map of designated areas for the vehicles and will post it on the county’s website and publish it in the County News.
Community associations will be involved in efforts to set aside trails and protect environmentally sensitive areas. Gravel pits and environmental reserves will be off limits.