The Town of Amherstburg has heard what residents think about ATV's on rural roads and will make a decision at Monday night's council meeting.
Members of the Essex County ATV Club asked council to expand the local trail network in hopes of attracting more riders and more tourism back in October of 2018. Currently riders are allowed on select roads and are allowed to cross roadways to access off-road trails - property owners are also permitted to use ATV's for work purposes on private land.
Survey results showed 80% of the more than 275 participants are in favour of the change, but 69% of those who responded own and operate an ATV. Administration took those results, and after doing some research and consulting with legal counsel, has recommended leaving things the way they are.
Mayor Aldo DiCarlo says the ATV Club does a great job providing safety education, but throwing the municipality's roads into the mix puts more liability on the town.
He tells AM800 News it's up to council to decide if the expansion is worth the risk to taxpayers.
"As much as they want to help us, we're ultimately responsible. So where we find that common ground, I'm not 100% sure, but it will definitely be up to council to decide whether we want to try it," he says. "The municipality always has some liability and when you say the municipality you're talking about the tax payers. One good lawsuit and you're in trouble. I think that's why administration generally airs on the side of caution."
DiCarlo says liability isn't the only concern.
"I think the biggest thing for the town is the safety of both the people on the ATV's and the motorists who may encounter them," added DiCarlo.
Currently Lakeshore and Pelee Island are the only two municipalities to allow ATV's on rural roads in the region.