Council approves Abasand off-highway vehicle pilot project plan; share feedback for draft bylaw

Pilot Project not in effect; OHVs prohibited on Abasand roads until Bylaw approval

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Council has given the green light to the Abasand Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) pilot project, marking a significant step toward the draft bylaw's presentation to Council in May. Public engagement on the draft bylaw kicks off today, with online engagement opportunities and a targeted community workshop.

The pilot project, slated for mid-June pending Council's approval of the bylaw, allows OHVs to be operated on municipal roadways exclusively within the Abasand neighborhood, to the Abasand OHV staging area.

Highlights of the draft bylaw:

Licensing and safety requirements: OHVs must be registered, operated by Class 5 license holders, and equipped with necessary safety gear. Snowmobiles are not included as part of this program.

Age and passenger restrictions: Restrictions on passengers in alignment with manufacturer specifications and Alberta's child safety seat laws.

Operational areas: OHV use restricted to municipal roads in Abasand, with strict prohibitions on operation in greenspaces and sidewalks. On-street parking will also be restricted. There will be no restrictions on operational hours for OHVs.

Exclusive operation in Abasand: Limited to the Abasand neighbourhood with clear boundaries for operation. Stopping will only be allowed at the designated staging area and gas station.

Enforcement and compliance: RCMP and Bylaw Services to ensure compliance with regulations through documentation checks and enforcement.

Have Your Say

Community members are encouraged to provide feedback on the proposed draft bylaw via online at participate.rmwb.ca/ohvpilot

Public link

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