The head of the Chatham-Kent ATV Club is confident the municipality's ATV bylaw will get the green light, despite not having the endorsement of police.
Calls for service and criminal charges laid related to ATVs are up, since the inception of a pilot allowing off-road vehicles on municipal highways.
But Vince Masse says most ATV riders abide by the rules of the road - a claim that's backed by the police chief himself.
However, local police laid 22 ATV related charges laid in 2016, compared to zero in 2015. The offences included flight from officers, dangerous and impaired operation, as well as theft and mischief.
"It's just the nature of the beast. Hopefully if we proceed into another year of the bylaw, it'll dwindle down to a smaller percentage," Masse says. "I think if anybody thinks you're going to get rid of it 100%, it's not being realistic."
When council considers making the one-year trial bylaw permanent, police hope they'll restrict ATVs to rural areas only. Masse thinks that will result in a lot of missed economic opportunities.
"With our rides we've supported restaurants in Merlin, Wheatley, Erieau," he says. "Last summer, 51 riders did a poker run into Blenheim, and a restaurant in Blenheim did a barbecue for us and they benefited from all the business from lunch."
Ultimately, the bylaw's success will rest on the club's shoulders says Masse, since the group's purpose has been to maintain and educate its members on the bylaw.
"I think with our club educating and promoting safe ATV riding, and with our club rides and getting to know a lot of the members personally, that helps to educate other people," he says.
-With files from Matt Weverink
