The Town of Pasadena, through a post on its Facebook page, is advising residents that all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes are not permitted to be driven on the town’s streets or on any of the recreational facilities within the town.
The post was shared dozens of times by residents and sparked some conversation on the site.
Mayor Goulding said he has fielded calls of concern about people riding side-by-sides on the streets and sidewalks, while others have been frequenting the trail system on Main Street and 10th Avenue and tearing up the vegetation in the area. While the town says it does not have the authority over riding on streets, it is banning ATV use in parks and recreation areas.
Goulding also said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have been aggressive in their effort to spread the message that the streets are no place for such vehicles. According to the mayor, the RCMP has also received a number of complaints from residents who have safety concerns.
The walking trail area is of particular concern for the mayor because he knows a lot of young families and seniors use the trail system for walking and shouldn’t have their safety jeopardized by riders who aren’t suppose to be on the trail in the first place.
“Somebody coming along in an ATV could lose control and cause injury to somebody,” he said.
He doesn’t want anybody to get hurt or worse somebody killed because of somebody not understanding the safety and liability issues that come into play.
“The place for them is not on the streets of the town or on the sidewalks,” he said. “If they don’t have direct access to the trails then they’re going to have to buy a trailer.”
*** Edited Aug. 1 to clarify authority of enforcement ***