County Approves ATVs on Roads After One-Year Pilot

On October 26, Grey County Council approved the use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and side-by-side off-road vehicles (ORVs) on many Grey County roads. The decision comes following a successful 13-month pilot.

“We’ve been very pleased with how the pilot has worked out and confident that we can move forward with this decision,” said Grey County Warden Alan Barfoot. “This initiative supports tourism and gives our residents and visitors another convenient way to enjoy the Grey County countryside.”

The report also contained a small change to the by-law.  ATVs will be allowed on identified roads from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset, April 15 to November 17. During the pilot the period was May 1 to November 10.

The official by-law will be updated as part of the Recreational Trails Master Plan project in 2018.

“Feedback about ATVs on county roads has been positive and their overall presence on our roads has been low,” said Pat Hoy, Director of Transportation. “Next spring we’ll begin installing signs along on roadsides to clearly mark where ATVs aren’t permitted.”

ATVs will be allowed on approximately 500 km of Grey County roads. ATVs will not be allowed on about 375 km of roads within the Town of The Blue Mountains, Town of Hanover, and other locations where their use is considered unsafe. Complete details can be found on the County’s website www.grey.ca and an interactive map is available at maps.grey.ca.

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For media inquiries contact Rob Hatten, Communications Manager at rob.hatten [at] grey.ca (rob[dot]hatten[at]grey[dot]ca) or call 519-372-0219 ext. 1235.