ATV Trails

By Carolyn Richards President,

Kawartha ATV Association katva.ca

In 2009, when I first began volunteering for KATVA, the Vice President at the time was Raymond Nesbitt. Raymond had been seriously injured in an accident that left him a parapalegic. His injuries didn’t hold him back because not only were he and his wife Marilyn hard working volunteers for the club, but they were also avid riders.

Raymond’s ATV had been slightly modified to make it safer for him to straddle the seat, and his wheelchair could be fastened to rack on the back of the ATV. At the time ROVs (side by sides) had not really been marketed in Ontario for recreational use, they were generally used for farming and commercial purposes only.

Come to 2019 and we’re seeing a huge growth in motorized recreation including ATV’s and ROV’s. Motorized wheelchairs and mobility scooters will only take you so far on the trails. The introduction of ROVs to the off road market has created a level playing field for those who may not have been able to enjoy the sport otherwise. Those with physical limitations whether due to age, injuries or other challenges can now take advantage of the opportunities that ROVs provide. ROVs can be modified to include hand controls for those who need them, and also provide added safety features such as seatbelt harnesses. Even if operation of an ROV is not an option for someone they still have the opportunity to enjoy what nature has to offer as a passenger. For some people this is the only chance they have to enjoy the trails and nature first hand.

We are seeing the largest growth in new KATVA membership from people who are buying their first ROV because they can no longer physically ride an ATV or they want a machine big enough to take their family. No longer is motorized recreation just a sport for dad to enjoy. More and more we’re seeing families hitting the trails together and ROVs provide such a great opportunity for quality family time . Most ROVs come equipped with a box on the back that allows you to carry a cooler and have a trailside lunch.

“You can even ride into Fenelon Falls on your ATV for lunch or dinner.”

The biggest challenge facing all ROV owners today is accessibility to the trails. In April 2019 the City of Kawartha Lakes council granted permission to KATVA on a 7 month trial basis for ROVs to access the Victoria Rail Trail from Northline Rd just north of Fenelon Falls up to Kinmount. The bylaw amendments also allow access to all the trails in the Somerville Forest Tract. The City of Kawartha Lakes road bylaw was amended to allow ROVs to

use the shoulder of any road that ATVs already have access to which means all roads north of County Rd 8 and Glenarm Rd, as well as through the village of Fenelon Falls. This opens up a whole new world for ROV owners in our area. They can now drive in to Fenelon Falls for gas and meals after enjoying a day on the trails or drive up to Kinmount and have a picnic near the water.

Our hope is that the 7 month trial period will be successful and lead into the City of Kawartha Lakes making access to the trails permanent for ROVs, including the Victoria Rail Trail going south all the way to Bethany. This will open the doors for more family enjoyment of the sport and more tourism dollars for the communities involved. Always check with your local club to find out what the rules are before riding.

Kawartha ATV Association and their trail systems are some of the best trails in Ontario. New trails are opened every year for their riders and they continue to work with adjacent municipalities to create access for their riders. There is really no

end in sight.