Article In The Cambridge Times

City asked to ban ATVs from trails

Ray Martin, Cambridge

(Nov 16, 2007)

The peace and solitude of Cambridge‘s natural areas is being shattered by the wail of ATVs as they tear down the city’s multi-use trails.

During the presentation of the Cambridge Trails Advisory Committee’s annual report committee chair Bob McMullen told council, “something has to be done about these ATVs.”

“These ATVs are dangerous. They are destroying the trails,” he said. “What we need is a clear and enforceable bylaw.”

McMullen said the city’s current bylaw does not clearly prohibit ATVs and suggested a bylaw similar to that of Welland which sets a $1,000 fine.

In his presentation, McMullen showed council photographs of ATVs using the trails and said that one cyclist has been accosted by ATV riders on the trails.

McMullen suggested the problem might be corrected by better signs and the installation of large stones at the trail entrances which would block the ATVs but would still allow hikers, cyclists and small wagons through the access point.

In addition to the ATV problem, McMullen asked council to consider additional funding for the trail system. In 1997, the trails were budgeted $200,000 annually for maintenance and development. There has been no increase in funding since….