BC's new Off-Road legislation is coming.

[ferniesnow]

The Bill is ready to be voted on. How long will it take to implement is anybodies guess. Times are changing and it is about friggin' time!


NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
2014FLNR0016-000217
Feb. 24, 2014

Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

ORV legislation will keep B.C.'s backcountry safe

VICTORIA - Bill 13, the Off Road Vehicle Act introduced today, promises
certainty, safety and regulatory structure for thousands of off-road
enthusiasts.

The proposed Off Road Vehicle - or ORV - Act replaces the 40-year-old
Motor Vehicle (All Terrain) Act with a modern management structure,
designed to align with existing regulatory regimes at minimal cost.

Increased use of quads, snowmobiles and other ORVs has helped British
Columbians get out and enjoy the beauty of the province's backcountry.
Bill 13 will help ensure these vehicles are driven in a safe and
environmentally responsible manner.

The act, if passed and brought into force, will:
* Establish a one-time registration system specifically designed to
integrate with the pre-existing structure of the Insurance Corporation of
British Columbia's vehicle registry, reducing implementation costs. ORVs
will have to be registered and display a clearly visible number plate
before they can be operated on Crown or other public land.
* Allow the development of regulations on the rules of operation (such as
wearing helmets), safety standards and conditions of use for a wide range
of modern ORVs, including snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles or "quads",
dirt bikes and utility terrain vehicles.
* Assist in identifying stolen or abandoned ORVs, by requiring ORVs to be
registered in a database that is accessible to peace officers at all
times.
* Provide officers with more effective enforcement tools to target the
small number of irresponsible ORV owners that endanger others or damage
sensitive habitat. This includes the ability to stop and inspect ORVs for
violations, seize an ORV for safety or evidence purposes, and increase
the maximum fine for offences from $500 to $5,000.

Included in the proposed ORV legislation is an amendment to the Special
Accounts Appropriation and Control Act establishing the ORV Trail
Management Sub-account. This will ease the process of providing future
investments directly into developing and maintaining trails, delivering
lasting benefits to the ORV tourism industry in rural communities.

The proposed ORV Act is the result of extensive consultation, and
represents a fair compromise for all user groups. Implementation,
including registration provisions, is anticipated in the fall of 2014.

Quotes:

Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
-

"Whether hunting, fishing, getting back to nature or just getting to
work, many outdoor enthusiasts rely on off-road vehicles to augment their
rural experience. The Off-Road Vehicle Act will secure the future of off-
road vehicle use in a way that is self-sustaining, safe and
environmentally responsible."

Rhona Martin, president, Union of B.C. Municipalities -

"The framework set out in this legislation responds to a number of issues
raised by local governments. Together, these new measures will increase
safety, enhance community connectivity through trail networks, and
safeguard the beauty and integrity of B.C.'s wilderness. The extensive
consultation undertaken by the province on this issue has resulted in
legislation that balances the interests of many different groups."

Jeremy McCall, executive director, Outdoor Recreation Council of British
Columbia -

"The announcement of the ORV legislation is a tremendous tribute to the
dedicated members of non-government organizations who formed the
Coalition for Licensing and Registration of Off Road Vehicles in 2002.
The coalition published its 47 recommendations in 2006. Many of those
individuals continue to assist the ministry with the feedback it needs to
prepare this legislation. Among other benefits, this legislation will
offer security of ownership and improved safety standards for the riders
of ORVs and it will provide for higher standards of compliance and
enforcement which will benefit non-motorized recreationists."

Scott Benton, executive director, Grasslands Conservation Council of BC -

"The requirement for registration is the cornerstone for future
management and enforcement of ORV activities and theft prevention. This
legislation provides a solid platform to develop comprehensive
regulations that will address safety, operator conduct and environmental
protection in the future. The Grasslands Conservation Council of BC looks
forward to working with the Province and others in developing the
accompanying regulations. The Grassland Conservation Council of BC has
been working with a coalition of 10 other interests towards improving the
management of off road vehicles for over 10 years."

Bob Ramsay, president, Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council
-

"We are pleased that the Province of B.C. has taken this important
measure to promote the safe and responsible use of Off Road Vehicles. The
proposed ORV Act is designed to recognize existing vehicles while
flexible enough to ensure new models can be accounted for as new designs
become available."

Quick Facts:

* The proposed ORV Act implements recommendations from the Off Road
Vehicle Management Framework released in 2009, including one-time vehicle
registration, operator safety rules and environmental protection
measures.
* An estimated 200,000 ORVs are used in the province.
* Snowmobiles have been registered in British Columbia since the 1970s.
* British Columbia is currently one of the last provinces in Canada that
does not require registration of off-road vehicles.
* ORVs are used in a variety of sectors in British Columbia, including
farming, ranching, forestry, oil and gas, mining, sport, tourism,
transportation and search and rescue.

Learn More:

To view a copy of the bill and view its progress through debate, visit:

 

[moyiesledhead]

The Bill is ready to be voted on. How long will it take to implement is anybodies guess. Times are changing and it is about friggin' time!

IMHO this legislation solves nothing, other than topping up the government tax coffers.

 

[DRD]

IMHO this legislation solves nothing, other than topping up the government tax coffers.

That's what I got out of reading that. I can HP, noise and other restrictions coming down the pipe along with a bunch of fees.

 

[deaner]

I think it is absolute garbage.......and this is just the beginning.

 

[LUCKY 7]

I think it's garbage too!

 

[ferniesnow]

Everybody else in Canada has legislation and you guys think it is not required? The fact that you can ride around with no insurance, no registration, and everyone turns a blind eye is garbage. It is about time this has been introduced.

I don't like the fact that we will have to pay more money and very likely those dreaded taxes but for the big picture it is the way to go. You don't drive a car or a boat without proper registration, why should we be able to drive a quad, sideXside, sled, or whatever without registration.

On a side note, I would assume that our out-of-province visitors would have to have their sleds registered in their province as per the rules of that province.

 

[LBZ]

I think it is fine for a start. You only have to register it once and it's good forever - the way it should be.
Also makes it easier for law enforcement to stop and check for stolen machines.
What is the deal on insurance in BC on ATV's? Still ridiculously priced?

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[Marley]

Everybody else in Canada has legislation and you guys think it is not required? The fact that you can ride around with no insurance, no registration, and everyone turns a blind eye is garbage. It is about time this has been introduced.

I don't like the fact that we will have to pay more money and very likely those dreaded taxes but for the big picture it is the way to go. You don't drive a car or a boat without proper registration, why should we be able to drive a quad, sideXside, sled, or whatever without registration.

On a side note, I would assume that our out-of-province visitors would have to have their sleds registered in their province as per the rules of that province.

I agree with this legislation for the most part.

If you only have to register the ORV once or whenever it is sold then that isn't too bad.
What I would like to see is a small sized registration sticker rather than an actual licence plate though.

Insurance is just a fact of life for anything nowadays.

I also like the idea of a connected trail system so you can ride ORV to rural gas stations, restaurants and hotels etc.

 

[X-it]

Some people just love regulations, then one day they wake up and say what the hell happened to this country.

 

[moyiesledhead]

Everybody else in Canada has legislation and you guys think it is not required?

Not trying to start an arguement here Doug, but....... because it solves nothing. Again, just my opinion. If there was actually any benefit to us as owners, I'd support it.

When this was originally proposed by the ORV coaliton, even ICBC didn't support it. They're objection paper stated, among other things, that it would do nothing to deter theft, and they included some pretty convincing statistics from other jurisdictions to support that position. Insurance is already a requirement on ATV's under the FSR regulation, so that argument is moot. Helmets are already a requirement too, so again....moot. In fact that regulation even requires a drivers license. Sure it only applies to FSR's, but where can you really go without using an FSR at some point during the day. Mud bogging and a host of other no-no's is already illegal under separate environmental legislation, so....get the idea? I honestly don't see what this accomplishes that more enforcement of existing regulations wouldn't solve.......other than grabbing 12% PST from all of us that have purchased a used ATV, or new out of province. Hell, I bought mine from a dealer in BC and payed the taxes, but I have no idea where the paperwork is any more. How's that gonna work?

Besides that....I'm really kind of happy we're not like the rest of Canada on a lot of things. Could you imagine having to stick to the groomed trails to sled like Ontario and Quebec? That's not in this legislation, but since you brought up the rest of Canada comparison....just extrapolate that out a little further to see where it could eventually go.

 

[moyiesledhead]

I think it is fine for a start. You only have to register it once and it's good forever - the way it should be.
Also makes it easier for law enforcement to stop and check for stolen machines.
What is the deal on insurance in BC on ATV's? Still ridiculously priced?

I've been told that when law enforcement checks for stolen machines they check VIN numbers, not registration numbers. Plates and decals are too easy to copy or move between machines.

Nah, liability insurance is pretty reasonable when you belong to ATVBC or BCSF first. Own damage, fire, and theft? No idea, I never buy it.

 

[LBZ]

I've been told that when law enforcement checks for stolen machines they check VIN numbers, not registration numbers. Plates and decals are too easy to copy or move between machines.

Nah, liability insurance is pretty reasonable when you belong to ATVBC or BCSF first. Own damage, fire, and theft? No idea, I never buy it.

This is true if someone puts it on an identical machine. But a sticker is a little harder to transfer than a plate. Anyone that has tried to peel one off their sled can attest to this. Cops will run that and if it has been reported stolen they will know. And if it is missing then they will check the Vin.

I don't know why some of you are complaining. It's a one time thing that might cost $100 tops, might help identify YOUR machine if it gets stolen, and every other state and province in NA has this. At least you don't have to do it every year like they do in Ab.

 

[moyiesledhead]

This is true if someone puts it on an identical machine. But a sticker is a little harder to transfer than a plate. Anyone that has tried to peel one off their sled can attest to this. Cops will run that and if it has been reported stolen they will know. And if it is missing then they will check the Vin.

I don't know why some of you are complaining. It's a one time thing that might cost $100 tops, might help identify YOUR machine if it gets stolen, and every other state and province in NA has this. At least you don't have to do it every year like they do in Ab.

I can take a picture of that sticker and print one on adhesive backed vinyl in 5 minutes. That's why they're looking for the VIN. Their words, not mine. The complaining I already explained. As an Alberta resident you wouldn't understand. It's not the $100. It's the 12% tax on a used purchase we pay that you guys don't have to pay that really hurts.

 

[LBZ]

I can take a picture of that sticker and print one on adhesive backed vinyl in 5 minutes. That's why they're looking for the VIN. Their words, not mine. The complaining I already explained.

A simple sticker change can fix that with some additional security stuff on it. Make it like the one on your license plate. Tough to copy that.

My Dad is retired RCMP and thats his suggestion. He is also an avid ATV rider in BC and this affects him too. He is ok with it.

 

[deaner]

I can take a picture of that sticker and print one on adhesive backed vinyl in 5 minutes. That's why they're looking for the VIN. Their words, not mine. The complaining I already explained. As an Alberta resident you wouldn't understand. It's not the $100. It's the 12% tax on a used purchase we pay that you guys don't have to pay that really hurts.

Exactly. Its a cash grab and nothing more.

 

[winterax]

"Included in the proposed ORV legislation is an amendment to the Special
Accounts Appropriation and Control Act establishing the ORV Trail
Management Sub-account. This will ease the process of providing future
investments directly into developing and maintaining trails, delivering
lasting benefits to the ORV tourism industry in rural communities "

That to me says they're putting some of the fees back to trails.

 

[X-it]

Thank god the gun registry is in the history books. Now i see why clubs trying to get their greedy little hands on cash

 

[moyiesledhead]

"Included in the proposed ORV legislation is an amendment to the Special
Accounts Appropriation and Control Act establishing the ORV Trail
Management Sub-account. This will ease the process of providing future
investments directly into developing and maintaining trails, delivering
lasting benefits to the ORV tourism industry in rural communities "

That to me says they're putting some of the fees back to trails.

I'll believe that when I see it. Note the specific reference to "ORV Tourism Industry". That tells me commercial operators "might" get some money. Been dealing with BC Government for a long time and seen this fancy wording before.
Absolutely can not trust BC politicians of any stripe to actually give us something back.

 

[powder junkie]

Where can u "mount securely" a license plate visible and not void warranty on a pro?? Thats the part im against. Local rcmp said in a pouch in fine but thats useless if sumone steals sled. I would choose sticker but thats good untill u smash said body part and require new $$ decal. I hate fact that u gotta register an off road vehicle that ur not allowed to use newhere near a road.

 

[LBZ]

You guys forget that registering them to a plate also registers them with ICBC and with law enforcement. This means both the plate anfd Vin are put together on a national network that can be cross referenced making it easier to identify and find if stolen.

Seriously, it's a one time fee. What's the big deal?

No you can't ride it on pavement but it allows you to ride legally on FSR'S and crown land.


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