B.C. Trails Enhanced With New Funding

September 2019 Powersport News

The Province is providing nearly $200,000 to B.C. outdoor clubs to support the off-road recreation industry, enhance tourism opportunities and promote healthy living for all ages and abilities.

Twenty-two clubs are receiving funding to improve trail riding and to promote rider safety, including the B.C. Off-Road Motorcycle Association, the B.C. Snowmobile Federation and the Quad Riders Association of British Columbia (ATVBC).

The next intake of applications to the Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Trail Fund will begin in early 2020, with at least $200,000 available to fund applicants.

Representatives from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, the British Columbia Snowmobile Federation, the British Columbia Off-Road Motorcycle Association and ATVBC evaluated 28 applications before making the final decisions.

Established in 2017, the ORV Trail Fund is funded from a portion of registration fees collected under the Off Road Vehicle Act by ICBC. The fund is administered by the ministry’s Recreation Sites and Trails Branch.

Quick Facts:

  • About 10,000 kilometres of ORV trails are managed by the ministry’s Recreation Sites and Trails Branch, in partnership with community-based ORV groups around the province.
  • There are significant ORV riding opportunities on the land base, including approximately 600,000 kilometres of resource roads and managed riding areas.

Learn More:

For more information about the ORV Trail Fund, visit: gov.bc.ca/ORVFund

For more information about the Off Road Vehicle Act, or registering an ORV, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/crown-land-water/crown-land/crown-land-uses/off-road-vehicles

Projects Awarded Funding From Second Intake Of ORV Trail Fund

B.C. Off-Road Motorcycle Association: $8,157

Educate B.C. off-road motorcyclists to improve awareness of off-road motorcycle riding “best practices” through a 15-week BCORMA “Safety through Education” public awareness campaign.

B.C. Snowmobile Federation: $10,000

Complete a comprehensive review of all course curriculum (hands on and online) for the Safe Operators Program. This will involve clarifying program policies and creating an online portal for instructors to communicate and receive updates.

Blue Mountain Motorcycle Club: $7,315

Trail hardening, replacement of two bridges, adding drainage in areas prone to pooling and general maintenance of the KCCK Trail on Blue Mountain.

Blue River Powder Packers Society: $2,308

Upgrade Blue River Powder Packers Society website and the educational materials provided for riders.

Blue River Powder Packers Society: $12,787

Maintenance on Foam Creek trail, including brushing activities and improvements to the yearly bridge installation and removal strategy.

Bowen Trail Riders Association: $906

General upkeep and improved navigation through markers and signage on three multi-use ORV trails within the Mount Gardner recreation polygon located on Bowen Island.

Cranbrook Snowmobile Club: $2,250

Ensure proper signage is displayed for riders on the Lumberton Trail, as well as accurately detailed maps for riders.

District of Hudson's Hope: $20,000

Construction of an ATV campground at Dinosaur Lake that connects ATV users to the trail network.

Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club: $2,556

General maintenance, hardening of the trail and replacement of six bridges on the Chipmunk Creek Trail System.

Kootenay Rockies ATV Club: $6,358

Clearing four sections of existing trails totalling 6.9 kilometres of alders and other debris on the Semlin Lamb Trail.

Lost Traction ATV & SxS Club: $1,940

Improve visibility of signage at the area known as Coqsnow Snowmobile Trails to improve safe navigation of the trail network.

Lumby Mabel Lake Snowmobile Association: $11,444

Improve signage in four distinct areas on existing trails that provide access to Park Mountain and Nelson Mountain. Trail markers will be numbered to allow for reporting positions in the case of accidents or lost riders, aiding search and rescue location.

Prince George ATV Club: $7,940

Developing a program to promote safe and responsible use of ORVs through handing out materials at events and trade shows, creating a "Cell Service here" area for calling emergency services, training 12 people on the trail patrol program and co-ordinating ORV operator courses.

Quad Riders ATV Association of British Columbia: $4,910

Supply and distribute trail safety, caution and regulatory signs for use on ORV trail networks throughout B.C. to ensure ORV trails are properly signed and safe for all users.

Quesnel Cross Country Motorcycle Association: $8,929

The replacement of two bridges at the Hangman Trail network will provide for safe and environmentally responsible crossing of two creeks.

Revelstoke ATV Club: $2,800

Sproat Mountain Fire Lookout access trail and building maintenance to contend with the significant increase in visitor use. The planned work on the trail includes switchback improvements, ditching, culvert installation or armouring and brushing.

Southern Okanagan Dirt Bike Club: $2,900

Addition of two more sites to the campground of Okanagan Falls ORV recreation site and re-establishment and grooming of the features on the trail.

Squamish Dirt Bike Association: $13,596

Expansion of the Lava Flow Trail parking lot, addition of a pit toilet and information kiosk to service the increase in visitor traffic at this site.

The Fraser Valley Dirt Riders Association: $13,664

Re-establishment of a safe communal staging area, beginner loop and campground, and reclaim trails lost to forestry and material borrow at Nickelmine Riding Area.

Urban Systems Ltd.: $10,000

Inventory and assessment to help identify rehabilitation needs and desired improvements to address issues that are currently occurring in the Duffy/Greenstone Trail area.

Valemount and Area Recreation Development Association: $6,000

Maintenance of two winter snowmobile shelters along the Upper Westridge and Lower Westridge Family Loop trails serving the needs of local snowmobilers and sled-skiers.

Vedder Mountain Motorcycle Club: $6,606

Plan and build a 600-metre kids loop and 2,500-metre beginner loops to help new riders learn the sport in the proper environment.

Vedder Mountain Motorcycle Club: 2,039

Create safe riding signage for trail users as well as location maps and information brochures for trail kiosks.

Vernon Snowmobile Association: $7,600

Widening, brushing and clearing of Passmore trail as well as danger tree assessment and falling.

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