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Dirt biker fined $750 for crashing into cyclist on Riverdale trail

A Whitehorse man faces $750 worth of fines for crashing his dirt bike into a cyclist on the trails in Riverdale last month. The 23-year-old man is not identified in the City of Whitehorse news release.

A Whitehorse man faces $750 worth of fines for crashing his dirt bike into a cyclist on the trails in Riverdale last month.

The 23-year-old man is not identified in the City of Whitehorse news release. He faces three charges under the city’s ATV bylaw - operating in a prohibited area, operating without due care and attention, and having no safe card.

Off-road bikes or dirt bikes are considered ATVs under the bylaw.

According to officials, on June 23 a cyclist was travelling down the Lower Roller Coaster Trail in Riverdale and came across a dirt bike coming up the hill towards him. The cyclist pulled off the trail, but was struck by the dirt bike. He broke his wrist and hurt his knee.

According to witnesses, the dirt bike driver was operating in a careless manner, said Tom Wyers, the city’s senior bylaw constable.

Wyers wouldn’t go into any more detail about how the dirt bike driver is accused of driving since the case is before the courts.

The accused has until July 17 to pay his fines or plead not guilty by this date and submit his plea to the City of Whitehorse.

He could also go to Yukon Territorial Court on July 28 to make a plea before a judge or justice of the peace.

“This is a reminder that the city takes enforcement on our trails and protected areas seriously,” Wyers said in a statement.

“We want to remind citizens that motorized vehicles are only allowed on designated trails… and dangerous driving will not be tolerated anywhere.”

In an interview this week, Wyers said $750 worth of fines is a significant amount to be handed out to one person for bylaw infractions.

He said bylaw has received numerous complaints about people driving various types of ATVs on prohibited trails in the Riverdale area. Some riders, “making their way down through some of these double track trails to Hidden Lakes to go fishing,” may not be aware the trails are off-limits, he said.

“They are on prohibited areas and it causes damage to the vegetation and to the landscape, and we want to keep those areas pristine for the hikers and the mountain bikers and people who enjoy the outdoors.”

Contact Ashley Joannou at

ashleyj@yukon-news.com