ATV group calls on Nova Scotia to move on promised road plan

The head ofthe All Terrain Vehicle Association of Nova Scotia isfrustrated the province has been slow toimplementa long-planned project that would allow off-highway vehicle users to ride along the shoulder of the road in nine specific locations.

The Share the Road OHV Pilot Project was announced over 16 months ago, after the ATV association,which helps build and maintain trails, first brought the idea to government seven years ago.

"We truly believe we have political support," said BarryBarnet, the group's executive director. "Initially, we were expecting this to be in place by fall of last year, and as time goes on we just simply keep getting pushed further and further out."

A spokesperson for the Department of Transportation said several pilot projects providing additional access for off-highway vehicles to certain parts of the right-of-way are expected to roll out this fall.

But Barnetsaid his group is skeptical because it was told the work would be done last year, and it's worried another fall will come and go without the new regulations being put in place.

It is currently illegal forATVand snowmobile riders to operate on the shoulder of the road to get to certain areas. The pilot program aims to change that in nine communities, including Amherst,Weymouth and Porters Lake.

The ATV association contributes nearly $1 million in trail projects across Nova Scotia, but still struggles to developan interconnected trail network, largely due to barriers suchas rivers and roads.

"What we've asked government for is the permission to use existing infrastructure, like the shoulder of the road, to enable us, ATV riders, to connect without having us to build additional bridges," Barnet said.

Helping OHVusers access services

Many do drive illegally on the side of roads, he said, but enforcement officers "turn a blind eye because they do it in a responsible manner." Still, there's a risk of a"substantial fine."

In permitting off-highway vehicle users to use existing infrastructure, riders would be able to more easily access local businesses such as restaurants, gas stations and hotels.

Barnet said it will also help businesses, like Walton Pub and Eatery, which sits on the shoreof the Walton River in Hants County. Itis cut off from the trail network, forcing many ridersto leave their vehicles unattended or drive illegally.

Other jurisdictions like Ontario and New Brunswick already have similar programs to help ATVers and snowmobilers.