Barriere RCMP want to ensure that area youth, and their families, are aware of the regulations about operating dirt bikes and other off-road vehicles (ORVs).
“We regularly receive complaints about youth, approximately 10–15 years of age, riding dirt bikes on Barriere Town Road, in the Spruce Crescent area, Dixon Creek Road, and Dixon Mountain Road, as well as trespassing on private property around Birch Lane,” says Cpl. Kyle Camalush, detachment commander for the Barriere RCMP.
“The dirt bikes involved are not properly equipped with working lights, nor are they registered with ICBC.”
Camalush says that all ORVs must be registered through ICBC, and that they must display number plates while on Crown land or resource roads such as forest service roads. The vehicles are designed for off-highway use, and do not meet the necessary safety standards to be used on highways.
“In the event that you want to operate your off-road vehicle on a highway, you will need to register and get a plate, a license, and insurance,” says Camalush. “If you operate an ORV on forest service roads, you’ll need $200,000 in third party liability. On Crown land, liability insurance is voluntary but recommended.”
A valid driver’s license is also required to operate an ORV on public roads and highways and on forest service roads. New safety requirements under the Off-Road Vehicle Act and its regulations include turning on lights in low-visibility conditions; wearing an approved safety helmet when using an all-terrain vehicle, motorcycle, or snowmobile; wearing seatbelts when using a side-by-side or other on-highway vehicles; adult supervision of children; and ensuring that ORVs used by children are age-appropriate.
Under the Wildfire Act, all off-road vehicles are required to have a spark arrestor installed during wildfire conditions. A spark arrestor is a small screen or other device that is installed in an engine exhaust system to stop sparks from exiting the tailpipe.
ORV enthusiasts are encouraged to check out Recreation Sites and Trails BC (https://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/) for information about where to ride on Crown land.
“No one ever expects to get into trouble in the backcountry,” says Camalush, “but a turn in the weather, an unexpected injury, equipment failure, vehicle mishap, or nightfall can quickly change any ORV outing into a crisis.
“Making sure you have ORV registration supports local search and rescue efforts in finding lost or injured riders if the abandoned ORV is found first.”
Anyone who witnesses a violation of the ORV Act is encouraged to call the Conservation Officer Service and Natural Resource Violations hotline at 1-877-952-7277, or #7277 on the TELUS Mobility Network.
