My family and I moved to Whitehorse last summer and intend to make it our home.
We live near a greenbelt in Riverdale and were happy to discover an endless network of trails, within a few minutes’ walk from our home.
What has recently disturbed me is the increasing number of ATVs and motorbikes that are using these trails, in conflict with the restricted area bylaw.
These vehicles are not to be driven on paths that border neighbourhoods.
Besides the environmental damage they are causing, they are ruining our walks with noise, smell and a sense of danger to me and my children.
I have yet to see one of these vehicles with an identifying licence number, and I see children themselves driving them with no adult supervision.
My children and I were on a path when one ATV careened around a corner and would have run us over if I hadn’t quickly moved us all out of harm’s way.
Each day I seem to encounter greater numbers of these vehicles. A woman I spoke with yesterday confirmed that they are not allowed, threw up her hands, and said, “We’ve tried, and nothing ever happens.”
I have written to bylaw enforcement, as I understand that bylaws are complaint-driven, and I’m hoping that something will happen, because as pedestrians we are feeling less and less welcome on our own greenbelt.
Susan Phillips
Whitehorse