Best Management Practices for Motorized Recreation on BC's Grasslands: available here

After three years of hard work, the ORV Coalition's Final Recommendations were completed in December, 2005. To view the Final Recommendations, please visit the Updates and Documents page. The ORV Coalition handed the recommendations to the Provincial Government in January 2006, and are working with government to form new legislation.

                                                                                  UPDATES

July 2008
Honorable Bill Bennett was appointed the new Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, and will be responsible for the ORV file in government. The Coalition is very pleased with this turn of events, as we have had significant communications with Hon. Bennett in the past, and look forward to working with him to come to a resolution on ORV management in British Columbia. We encourage our supporters to contact Hon. Bennett and encourage action on this important initiative.

September 2007                                                                                                                                                              The BC Snowmobile Federation has resigned from the Off-Road Vehicle Coalition effective September 18, 2007. Any questions regarding the resignation can be directed to Tasha Sargent, ORV Coalition Coordinator (see Contact).

April 2007                                                                                                                                                                       ORV Coalition co-chair Bruno Delesalle had a successful meeting in Victoria this spring with Hon. Pat Bell, Hon. Kevin Krueger, Hon. Barry Penner and Hon. Rick Thorpe to discuss the next steps of the ORV legislation. Rest assured work is underway to make this legislation a reality. But in the meantime, please continue your memorandums of support and discussions with elected officials - the more support, the better!

January 2007                                                                                                                                                                  The government-formed ORV Committee is working hard with the 47 Recommendations, and are in the process of building a solid business plan before going to legislature. The ORV Coalition and its partners do not want this legislation delayed; we urge you to contact your local governments and MLAs to discuss the importance of this legislation, and the urgent need for licensing and registration. 

The ORV Coalition welcomes ABC Snowmobile Clubs to the Coalition. ABC Snow supports the work the Coalition has done to date, and supports the development of new legislation. For more information, visit www.abcsnow.ca.

History: A broad-based coalition of stakeholders was formed in 2002 to improve the management of off-road vehicles (ORVs) in British Columbia.

The Coalition for Licensing and Registration of Off Road Vehicles includes ORV users and other recreation interests, along with ranchers and conservation interests represented in eleven organizations.

The ORV Coalition is a stakeholder driven initiative, working closely with a government Off-Road Vehicle Committee representing eleven agencies, so that effective legislative changes can be made to improve the sport and the environment.

We encourage you to become involved and to provide your expression of support for the initiative. Send your ideas for effective change in ORV legislation and management to: input@orvcoalitionbc.org.





Benefits of Moving Towards an ORV Strategy:
An effective and balanced ORV stewardship strategy, currently being addressed by the ORV Coalition, will help ensure the many positive aspects of ORV recreation and tourism are realized and secured, by overcoming existing legal barriers, while reducing or eliminating the negative effects on the environment and other users.
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Stakeholder Involvement
Many British Columbians and visitors to the province enjoy ORV recreation, and most are responsible users who want to minimize the impacts of their use on the environment and other users. Both guided and non-guided ORV activities contribute significantly to tourism in the province, particularly in rural communities.

Umbrella organizations like the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC, the Association of BC Snowmobile Clubs, Quad Riders Association of BC (ATV/BC), the Pacific North West Motorcycle Association, Trails BC and local clubs, who are represented on the Coalition, help promote low impact practices and responsible use. These and other organizations have pointed out several obstacles to economic development and effective management based on existing legislation that needs to be changed.

ORV recreation provides numerous social and economic benefits. However, if not carefully managed, some ORV activities can impact sensitive ecosystems such as grasslands, wetlands and alpine areas; disturb wildlife or livestock; aid in dispersal of invasive plants; or disrupt other public or commercial recreation users.

Organizations like the Grasslands Conservation Council of BC, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – BC Chapter, BC Nature, and the BC Cattlemen’s Association are also represented on the Coalition. These organizations are working with recreation interests on the Coalition to minimize impacts on the environment, ranchers and other interests.

Registration and Licensing of ORVs
A key component of a viable ORV stewardship strategy is the development of an effective and affordable registration and licensing system for BC.

Registration and licensing of ORVs is important for a variety of reasons including vehicle use safety, theft prevention, improved management and communication, and to facilitate enforcement of legal infractions. It is difficult to identify irresponsible riders who may disobey laws on unmarked ORVs for enforcement purposes. This can hurt the image of the sport for the vast majority of responsible riders who are trying to promote ORV recreation.

The Motor Vehicle (All Terrain) Act in BC, introduced in the early 1970s, has not been updated based on a systematic review. The Act only applies to snowmobiles as no regulations were ever introduced concerning other ORVs. As a consequence there are no off-highway registration or licensing requirements for ORVs (other than one-time registration for snowmobiles). Nearly all jurisdictions in North America have registration and licensing requirements for ORVs that apply to off-highway use.

The levels of use and technology of ORVs have dramatically changed in the last 30 years since the Act and snowmobile regulations were introduced. Developing an effective registration and licensing system that works for ORV riders is long overdue.

ORV Stewardship Issues being addressed
The Coalition is addressing a number of issues where options are being developed and carefully examined before recommendations will be provided. These issues include:

Vehicle licensing and registration for managing ORV use – a step already taken by almost every other province and state. This step would consist of developing a statutory and regulatory framework for registration and licensing, as well as an administrative framework.

• Potential elements of an ORV Management Strategy
• Establishment of a Trust Fund for ORV Recreation: to include funds for Education, Safety, Trail Development & Maintenance,Enforcement and Conservation and Stewardship.
• Safety and operator requirements
• Designating trails and recognizing a trail pass system
• Securing opportunities for motorized and non-motorized recreation use, and resolving conflicts
• Highway crossings for trail use
• Liability insurance
• Use restrictions to protect sensitive wildlife, ecosystems and habitats
• Compliance and enforcement
• Implementation, including phasing-in aspects of a stewardship strategy

To provide input, please visit the feedback form (see left) or send an email to input@orvcoalitionbc.org.

All documents are in PDF format. Click the icon to download free Adobe Reader software: