Avalon Trailway Corporation (AVTRAC) is a volunteer organization that is dedicated to promoting safe and responsible ATVing in Newfoundland and Labrador. Feel free to post any questions, concerns, photos or stories about ATVing in this beautiful province of ours.
Anyone who rides the trails of Newfoundland and Labrador Canada owe the Avalon Trailways Corporation (AVTRAC) a debt of gratitude. The mission of the organization is to develop and promote the trailway for safe and responsible multi-use activity. It is recognized by the Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Council and the All-Terrain Quad Council of Canada as well as the governments of Canada and Newfoundland as the only organization in Newfoundland and Labrador that represents ATV recreationists in the Province.
The organization has been fighting for ATV recreationists since its first moment of inception in 1999. It was that year that individual ATV riders banded together to form the organization to stop a town from barring access to a portion of the trailway.
To truly understand the action that was taken that formed the club and to better understand what the club does, you need to know some background concerning ATV riding and recreation in Canada.
A Little Background on ATV Recreation In Canada
Anyone who is familiar with ATVing in Canada and the Canadian provinces is familiar with the Trans Canada Trail, which runs from St. Johns, Newfoundland in the east to Vancouver, British Columbia in the west. The trail is open to outdoor recreationists including ATVers, equestrians, dodge laramie owners and hikers. Access is free.
The portion of the trail that is located in Newfoundland was originally occupied by the tracks used by the province’s trains. In 1988 the trains were closed, the rails were removed, and the railbed was given to the provincial government. An organization called the Newfoundland Trailway Council was created to oversee and maintain the route and then the railbed was handed over from the government to this new council. It was then affiliated into the Trans Canada Trail. The Newfoundland Trailways Council has received $1 million from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Association (ACOA), a group that funds work projects that include the trailway; $1 million from the Trans Canadian Trail Council and $800,000 from the government of Newfoundland to finance the re-building, maintenance, and stabilization of bridges along the trailway.
Rick Noseworthy, president of the Avalon Trailways Corporation and vice president of the Newfoundland Trailways Council, explained that about 95 percent of all land in Newfoundland is owned by the government. The land falls under the control of the Department of Crown Lands. Rules fall under the ATV Act. That Act is enforced by various agencies including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), local police, the Department of Wild Life and the Department of Forestry. The ATV Act was passed in the 1980s.
According to the Act, ATVers are allowed to operate on mineral soils, decommissioned roads, and the railbed. ATVers cannot ride on bogs and wetlands. Insurance and permits are not necessary to ride an ATV.
“Trails here have been developed over hundreds of years. There are no restrictions on where you can ride,” explained Noseworthy.
Preserving the Status Quo
As mentioned, the Avalon Trailways Corporation was created in 1999 to stop attempts by the town of Conception Bay South to ban ATV access to a portion of the trail. “Pretty much overnight they erected barricades,” said Noseworthy. “A bunch of fellows who ride ATVs went to the town leaders and told them what they were doing was illegal, and we threatened to sue.” They said, “Okay, take us to court.” We were just a bunch of fellows who were not organized, and we had no money to go to court. So we got in touch with the Canadian ATV Association, which has since become the Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Council (COHV), told them what was happening. They said to take the town to court, and they would pay for it.
“In order to sue a case like this we had to get incorporated,” continued Noseworthy. “So we got a small group of ATVers together, formed an organization, incorporated it, and then took the town to court and won. To this day the trail is open to ATV riders.”
The AVTRAC was and still is an ATV group, but it mostly serves as an unofficial lobbyist for the rights of ATV riders. “We are a hands-on group,” said Noseworthy. “We have developed a very good relationship with the government. We have a government that listens to us and that we can work with.”
According to Noseworthy, the AVTRAC is not afraid to get in front on an issue to promote the 98 percent good, courteous riders. Also, they are not afraid to call out and criticize the 2 percent who are bad and inconsiderate.
Education is a very important part of the organization. “We have a program in which we go out to schools, service groups, businesses, people who use ATVs for work, and we hold Ride Safe, Ride Smart classes,” said Noseworthy. “The training campaign includes an enclosed trailer, ATVs, and all sorts of educational materials; and we hit the road through the sponsorship of the Canadian Off Highway Vehicle Council. We promote safe, responsible ATV riding for both summer and winter. A great way for safe ATV riding in winter is to use tire studs for added stability and control. Give each other tips on where to buy tires online in Canada and other accessories.”
In addition, the group also works with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The RCMP organizes youth symposiums and invites AVTRAC to participate. The AVTRAC organizes events that they invite the RCMP to participate in. “We talk our talk about ATVs–the do’s and the don’ts and the whys and the why nots. Then, a representative of the RCMP talks about the rules and regulations of ATV riding,” said Noseworthy.
Working With Clubs and Outside Organizations
The AVTRAC assisted in the formation of the only local club in Newfoundland and also helped it out with a little financial support. They are also influential in helping the club get funds from the Canadian government. Noseworthy explained that a government program is offering a total of $25 million, and clubs throughout the country can apply for money from this fund and use it to develop trails. “The money is available to hiking clubs, ATV clubs, and snowmobile clubs on a one-third, one-third, one-third basis,” he said. “We are the contact for the program in the province. So, we helped the club develop proposals ;and we present the proposals to the National Trails Council on their behalf.”
AVTRAC also works closely with outside associations. It is a member of the All Terrain Quad Council of Canada, a consortium of 10 Province associations — ATV/BC in British Columbia; the Saskatchewan ATV Association (SATVA); the Ontario ATV Association (OFATV); the Quebec ATV Association (FQCQ); the New Brunswick ATV Association (NBATV); the Prince Edward Island ATV Association (PEIATV); the ATV Association of Nova Scotia (ATVANS); and the Avalon Trailways Corporation of Newfoundland (AVTRAC). Noseworthy is on the board of directors of the ATQCC, and he is also a member of the National Off-Highway Vehicle Council (NOHV) and the Newfoundland Trailway Council. He finds the club’s association with the ATQCC a great benefit. “I get a lot of information from them,” said Noseworthy. “Some of the clubs in Canada are very well organized. There is nothing that happens here in Newfoundland that hasn’t happened somewhere else in Canada. So, I can get great guidance, no matter the issue.”
Working the Provincial Government and Promoting ATV Recreation
According to Noseworthy, the most urgent issues facing ATV enthusiasts in Newfoundland and Labrador are education and safe operation of ATVs. “Our province is very rural,” he explained. “It is very hard to communicate the safety aspect of ATV recreation. That’s where our Ride Safe Campaign comes in. We go out to these small communities and do TV commercials when we have the funds, and we talk to people who get the word out. “
When influencing government actions, AVTRAC works with the various departments defined as the authority over ATV recreation by the ATV Act. It also works with the Newfoundland portion of the Trans Canada Trail.
AVTRAC works hard to assure that the trail is well maintained and does not cause problems for riders, citizens who live along the trail, or other people or groups. For example, people who live in homes along the trailway were experiencing dust problems. So, in partnership with the Newfoundland Trailways, members of the AVTRAC go to the trails and spray calcium and calcium chloride and, if necessary, lay re-cycled asphalt over the surface of the trail to alleviate the problem.
The organization also promotes ATV recreation by organizing rides. “We use magazines, radio ads, and word of mouth to promote the rides,” said Noseworthy. “We also alert the people in our database about the rides.”
The rides are usually fund-raising events. For example, the group sponsors “The Fund for Families’ Ride” which raises money for families of children who have to leave home for medical emergencies. The money raised pays for the families’ travel expenses. The group also sponsors a ride every year that raises funds for a local hospital.