Trails Council wants ATVs to move to secondary roads

The New Brunswick Trails Council wants to put the brakes on all-terrain vehicles that travel on walking trails.

The council is suggesting that ATVs be allowed to drive on secondary roads something that's currently against the law.

The council has developed a network of walking and biking trails, while the All-Terrain Vehicle Federation has its own set of trails. But according to the executive director of the trail council, drivers on ATVs often use walking trails as shortcuts.

"Once ATVs are on the trails, everybody else just leaves," said Poul Jorgensen. "They just get on there illegally. They drive from their home and get out and just go where they please."

The council met with the ATV Federation, the Snowmobile Federation and the Minister of Natural Resources Saturday.

The Trails Council suggested that ATVs could be allowed to drive on small secondary roads.

"These secondary roads with very low traffic count could be a safe area for them to drive on. That may take a lot of pressure off of some of the walking trails," said Jorgensen.

Jorgensen said the Minister agreed to consider the suggestion, and consult with the Department of Transportation.