by Donna Baylis | Oct 22, 2016 | Reference
In May 2015, Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Michael Coteau, introduced a bill:
• to increase awareness and encourage use of Ontario trails;
• to enhance trails and trail experience;
• to recognize the contribution that trails make to quality of life; and
• to protect trails for today’s and future generations.
Bill 100, known as the Supporting Ontario’s Trails Act, became a concern for landowners and trail stewards. The section of the bill regarding establishment of easements to protect the trails for future generations caused alarm.
At the time the impacts of the bill and reasons for government interference were generally unclear. Advisory groups committed to protecting land rights recommended stopping the bill. Some Landowners felt it better to be safe than sorry and refused to let trails cross their properties.
After one year, much discussion and final amendments, Bill 100 was passed by the Ontario legislature on June 1, 2016. Today it is clear that the granting of easements by property Landowners to ATV, snowmobile and other clubs is on a voluntary basis only. In fact, most clubs, including Dufferin Grey ATV Club, prefer traditional Landowner Agreements and will not pursue an easement in any way.
Landowners can rest assured that their property rights are safe. However, if a Landowner needs that extra layer of confidence, make sure this clause is included in the Landowner Agreement: “the Landowner/Occupier by signing this Landowner Agreement is NOT requesting nor granting permission for a registered easement over designated premises.”
Link to Legislative Assembly of Ontario – Bill 100, Supporting Ontario’s Trails Act, 2016
Bill 100 has been enacted as Chapter 8 of the Statutes of Ontario, 2016. The Bill enacts the Ontario Trails Act, 2016 and makes amendments to the Motorized Snow Vehicles Act, the Occupiers’ Liability Act, the Off-Road Vehicles Act, the Public Lands Act and the Trespass to Property Act.
by Donna Baylis | Sep 28, 2016 | Reference
Dufferin Grey ATV Club’s (DGATV) mandate is to bring safe recreational family-oriented ATV riding to the counties of Dufferin and Grey with a view to benefiting both riders and our local communities. DGATV promotes environmental awareness, protecting the natural resources that we all want to enjoy, and promotes tourism, providing our riders with places of interest to visit and our communities with the economic benefits that result.
Our club is responsible for lobbying for ATV access within local municipalities, building and maintaining trails, and educating riders about safety, environmental consideration and trail etiquette.
DGATV is setup to include side-by-side vehicles but not motorcycles.
If you enjoy riding in a particular area and want to meet people, being part of a club is the way to go.
DGATV is a member of the Ontario Federation of ATV Clubs (OFATV) and our rider memberships are purchased and tracked through that Ontario-wide organization. Click for more about OFATV Member Benefits or to Buy a Membership. Make sure you choose Dufferin Grey ATV Club (DGATV) when you buy your membership.
As part of DGATV Club, local riders will show you the best places to ride by organizing social events for you to join. See DGATV’s Google Calendar (below) for our list of events and click here for more event information (upcoming and past events).
You will receive a copy of our map when you buy a membership, and copies of our newsletters and other member information.
Be satisfied in knowing that your membership fee goes toward making ATV riding in Ontario a viable recreation, also part of your fee goes directly to DGATV’s trails.
You can be as involved as you want to be — ride, or have an excuse to ride by volunteering to work on the trail, lead an event, become a Warden, and have a voice in the future of ATVing in Ontario.
DGATV’s Volunteer Board of Directors meet on the third Wednesday of every month excluding December. The Dundalk Legion (Branch #285) is located at 109 Proton St. N. in Dundalk. Members and prospective members are welcome.
See also:
Membership Info
New Riders
Young Riders
FAQs
by Steve Knobel | Jun 9, 2016 | Reference
The Ontario Federation of ATV Clubs (OFATV) and Dufferin Grey ATV Club (DGATV) encourage young operators, aged 12 to 16, to take the Youth Rider Safety Training Program.
Our aim is to reduce risk by teaching young riders the safe operation of ATVs, consideration for other trail users and residents, Ontario laws and regulations, plus helping to protect the environment we all want to enjoy.
Educating young riders is for their own safety as well as for the safety of other riders and bystanders.
Legally, a rider must have an Ontario driver’s licence (G2/M2) to ride on Ontario roads. Otherwise, riding on private property is allowed.
OFATV and DGATV do not condone children younger than 12 years of age riding on ATVs. There has been an tragic series of accidents to support our stance.
ATVing is an inherently risky off-road activity that occurs in an unpredictable natural environment. ATVs are heavy and children typically do not have the physical strength, experience, judgement or motor skills to be responsible riders.
A young operator, aged 12 to 16, should have an ATV sized appropriately for the young rider’s weight, wear the appropriate safety gear and be accompanied by an adult on the trail.
Helmets are mandatory.
UNDERAGE PASSENGERS
Under the new law (passed July 1, 2015) a young passenger on a factory built two-up must wear proper fitting DOT-certified helmet and appropriate safety equipment.
The law states that the youth must be able to reach hand and foot rests.
Note that single-rider bikes with an added-on passenger seat are not legal to ride with a passenger.
** Search Keywords: child, kid, kids, safe, safety, teen, teenager, teens, youth, young rider
(last review: 2-Oct-2022)
by Donna Baylis | Jun 1, 2016 | Reference
Dufferin Grey ATV Club Inc. (DGATV) was incorporated as a not-for-profit club in December 2006. DGATV is a group of volunteers dedicated to bringing safe recreational family-oriented riding to the counties of Dufferin and Grey in Ontario, Canada. We would like to see ATV riding welcomed within our Townships for its recreational and economic benefits, and are working within Dufferin and Grey counties to achieve our goal.
We are associated with the Ontario Federation of ATV Clubs Inc. (OFATV). The OFATV is an Ontario-wide body dedicated to encouraging ATV use in Ontario. Club membership and permit fees support the development of a safe ATV trail network, the promotion of safe practices and the protection of the environment. The OFATV holds $15 million liability insurance on behalf of the land-owners that allow OFATV trails to cross their land.
by Donna Baylis | May 15, 2016 | Reference
While Dufferin Grey ATV Club membership is for riders of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs, 2-Ups, side-by-sides), we do consider ourselves a custodian of the trails for other users as well.
In the summer the public trails are shared by walkers, hikers, runners, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. ATVs are permitted on the trails throughout the ATV season. Motorcycles are not permitted.
In the winter snowmobiles use much of the same trail (although not identical as they are subject to different landowner agreements). Walkers and cross-country skiers also enjoy the groomed trails.
Dufferin Grey ATV Club spends a significant sum of money from user fees and fundraising on maintaining the trail every year. Funds and Volunteer hours go towards grass mowing; tree trimming; brush and trash cleanup; gravel for filling holes, smoothing slopes and preventing erosion; dust suppression; gate installation and maintenance; bridge building and maintenance.
When the trails are tended for ATV use, all users benefit.
by Donna Baylis | Apr 1, 2016 | Reference
In general DGATV’s season on the public trails starts around May 1st (weather-permitting) and goes until November 30th or until snow cover. However, dates depend on where you ride. Please check our social media for seasonal confirmation.
Harkaway Forest is typically closed to ATVs mid-October until mid-June.
Grey County closes their county roads to ATVs around mid-November.
Please check our current social media to confirm all dates.
All other public trails including the rail trail stay open to ATVs until November 30th or snow cover, whichever comes first.
Note that other clubs have different open/close dates — it all comes down to the local by-laws and landowner agreements. The onus is on You, the Rider, to know the rules of the area before you ride.
See also:
Other Links for local counties and municipalities
FAQs
