Whitehorse snowmobilers must take safety course

The City of Whitehorse has begun implementing its new snowmobile bylaw, including the requirement to obtain and carry a snowmobile safety card.

Everyone who drives a snowmobile must have a safety card by early January.

Bylaw constable Louis Martel, the department's education officer, said the cards are now available through an online course on the city's website. It costs about $35 and can be completed in about three to five hours.

Martel said the course includes information about trail etiquette.

"For example there's a section about how to pass a pedestrian if you are on the trail, or someone walking his dog," he said.

Martel said the speed limit when passing pedestrians on trails is 15 km/h. Other key points in the bylaw include provisions about helmets and insurance.