Ontario Provincial Police and the Town of Collingwood are reminding snowmobilers to be safe and stick to trails designated for snowmobile use.
A notice posted to the town’s website last week details the bylaws governing trail use by snowmobiles, which permits the vehicles on specific trails to access Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Club (OFSC) trails out of town.
On trails identified for snowmobile use in Collingwood, the speed limit is 20km/h maximum, and those on vehicles must defer to pedestrian traffic.
Snowmobiles are not permitted on town sidewalks, highways, pedestrian walkways, open space area, municipal parks, or trails not identified as snowmobile route connectors. The machines cannot be operated in town between midnight and 7 a.m., according to town bylaws, which are enforced by OPP.
The OPP issued a news release from the Orillia detachment stating they have had complaints from farmers stating snowmobilers are trespassing on private property, including on farmers’ fields.
“There are many issues with trespassing on farmland,” states the OPP release. “Firstly, it is trespassing, which is an offence, secondly, it can damage the soil and lands below, and lastly, there are often times fences and other obstacles farmers put on their land to assist with farming duties, which can be dangerous to snowmobilers.”
The town is also reminding snowmobilers to be cautious around Georgian Bay and wear a helmet that meets the ministry of transportation requirements.
Snowmobilers are required to have a licence and insurance. For more on the Ministry of Transportation rules, click here.
According to the OFSC interactive trail map, there are no local trails open in Collingwood and surrounding area, which means at this time, snowmobiling should be limited to private property where the rider is the owner of the property or has obtained the owner’s permission.
