The new law is meant to accomodate ATV tourists while respecting safety and noise issues for residents.
Saugeen Shores Council has had its first look at a draft by-law to regulate all-terrain vehicle use in the municipality.
The by-law is meant to respect safety and noise, but to still make it easy for ATV users to visit Saugeen Shores.
It allows them to be used on streets in urban areas, but only for gaining access to accomadation, restaurants, and gas stations from nearby trail systems.
The by-law bans ATV’s from major streets and areas around hospitals or nursing homes.
ATV’s will also be prohibited from using area roads from 11pm until 8am, with exceptions for hunters and trappers.
Councillor Thead Seaman says having the by-law will boost ATV tourism.
Deputy Mayor Doug Freiburger says ATV users need easy access to town but has some concerns.
He says it forces ATV drivers to go up and down town streets to find a way out of Port Elgin without using Highway 21. He says they’ll have to use several town streets to reach the 6th or 10th Concession.
Freiburger says ATV’s would also have to travel considerably through the urban part of town to access motels.
He says he welcomes ATV users to the municipality though and Saugeen Shores wants them to make use of local businesses when they visit.
Councillor Jane Barber wants the enforcement of the by-law to be documented so a discussion can be held later on to see if any changes are needed.
The ATV by-law will receive final approval in January.
