ATV-ers, snowmobilers, and other thrill-seekers have one more week to make sure they’re in compliance with the new regulations in the Off-Road Vehicle Act.
New guidelines for child riders, helmets, seatbelts, lights, and registration are in effort on November first.
Search and Rescue Manager and member of the Prince George Snowmobile Club Dave Merritt says a lot of the new regulations come down to common sense.
“We always push safety (at the club), it’s something that’s very important. But most of our riders already ride with helmets and they have for many years. So a lot of it isn’t going to be a big surprise for anybody.”
Under the new provisions, helmets must always be worn, if seatbelts are installed, they must be used, and riders must use lights during low visibility conditions 30 minutes after sunset or 30 minutes before sunrise.
If lights are not installed by the manufacturer, temporary lights can be attached to the ORV.
Children have to be under supervision, and must be using a vehicle suited to their size when riding.
“A lot of members of the club have children who have been riding since they were four or five years old on little 50cc snowmobiles,” notes Merritt. “They’re taught safe riding procedure, and you grow up with your family and children riding.”
The regulations also allow for a sticker option for vehicles unable to house metal plates.
Owners who already secured an ORV number plate during voluntary registration can bring their registration and metal plate to any ICBC broker and exchange their metal plate for a sticker for no charge from November first to December 31st.
After that, an $18 fee will apply to exchange a metal plate for a sticker or vice versa.
Snowmobile owners who have already registered their vehicles under the Motor Vehicle Act will also be eligible for refund, up until Nov. 16, 2015, when they register under the ORV Act.
The refund will be for the amount they had already paid- $5 for transfers and $10 for registration.
The new regulations are mandatory when riding on crown land, which the Snowmobile club is situated on.
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