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| Last updated at 4:57 PM on 16/01/08 |
ATV regulations put brakes on Janeway Run 
LILLIAN SIMMONS
The Compass
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| NO RUN - Snowmobile and ATV enthusiasts gather near Shearstown for the annual Run for the Janeway in this Compass file photo. Regulations which prohibit more than one person on an ATV have effectively put the kibosh on this year's run. It's too early to say if the event will be back next year. |
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What would have been the seventh annual Run for the Janeway has been postponed for this year.
The family event, which includes snowmobilers and ATV riders from all over the province, was postponed last week as a result of current ATV regulations.
Over the past six years the run has raised about $400,000 for the Janeway Children's Hospital and has seen as high as 700 riders participate.
Janeway Run Committee member, Roland Butler, acknowledges the committee's Jan. 7 decision was a difficult one.
However, because the Motorized Snow Vehicles and All Terrain Vehicles Act prohibits more than one person per ATV, families are restricted in participating.
Passengers are only permitted to ride on ATVs provided the vehicle is designed and equipped to carry a passenger. The regulations stress this does not mean that any seats purchased from a dealer and added to an ATV are legal to carry passengers.
Butler says the regulations have not changed, but RCMP have been cracking down on enforcement due to the number of serious accidents that have been occurring.
"We knew what was happening, so we decided to check out the regulations. They were always there, but not implemented like they are today."
The committee contacted the RCMP in writing, "to see where they stood on it. We knew basically they have to go by the act."
Around the same time, Butler had a request from three different groups - Bay Roberts Lions Club, Spaniard's Bay Volunteer Fire Department, the LOL in Shearstown - inquiring about the regulations for ATV use in Santa Claus parades.
He called Government Services Minister Kevin O'Brien and asked if special permission was required to have ATVs involved in the Santa Claus parades.
"I also discussed the Run for the Janeway and he was familiar with it, but he wanted me to give him some time because he was just new in the department.
"I received permission for those three groups to operate ATVs on the highway (for the parades). The highway operation of these vehicles takes place on the parade route only, while the parade is underway," Butler explained.
ATVs must be transported to and from the (parade) site by trailer.
"Only one person is permitted per ATV, unless the vehicle is manufactured for one rider and one passenger," said Butler. "This does not include an after-market seat - apparently those are not for a second person," he added.
Aside from raising funds for a very worthy cause, because the Run for the Janeway is a fundraiser for the children's hospital, it is set up as a family event.
"I'd say about 98 to 99 per cent (of participating ATVs) would have two people on them for our ride. A great majority would have a child with them," he said.
"Even though those rules were there, I suppose a lot of us didn't really know what they were."
In previous years, Butler said, the ride went ahead with help from groups like the RCMP, Search and Rescue and Traffic Control.
"We never went to the minister until recently when some of those more serious (all terrain vehicle) accidents took place. The law was always on the books, but then it became more enforced, that's what got us thinking and checking. We're not trying to get them to change the rules, but just checking to see if there is any leeway there."
Well supervised
In addition to the RCMP, Search and Rescue and Traffic Control, the run is divided into groups with leaders in front of, and behind each group for safety purposes.
"And we had their (RCMP) blessing to do our run," Butler said, adding police were strict about people riding on the roadway.
"They wouldn't let that happen, but just for our run, to get from point A to B to get on the trails - they had no problem with it. They were allowed to go on the highway to get on the trails. There weren't 500 ATVs going wherever they wanted to go," he continued. "There were leaders, they had to wear their helmets" and adhere to other rules.
Butler said during all six runs, "we've never had an incident."
Meanwhile, there's nothing stopping the seventh annual event except the numbers.
"I can't say they're stopping our run. We can have it tomorrow."
But according to recent feedback to the no-passenger ATV rule, many participants would opt out.
"We hear people saying things like: I don't think I want to go if my wife doesn't go too."
Legislation
Butler says Government Services is reviewing the rules and regulations pertaining to the act.
"When those rules were put in place, I think government was looking at the three wheelers and the four wheelers that weren't up to the standards they are today, they were a little (unstable)."
He's been told the review should be completed by mid to late January.
"But that will be too late (for this year)," he said. "It will probably have to come into new legislation which might not happen until the fall."
Butler also fears if numbers dwindled, so would sponsors. The first annual run started out with only about a dozen sponsors and steadily increased over the years.
"Last year we were up to about 50. A lot of our major sponsors are owners and operators of businesses where ATVs and snowmobiles are sold. They see the success of the run. If we only get 50 people will they still want to be sponsors?"
The family event to raise money for children throughout the province, has been touted the biggest annual Janeway community fundraiser.
The run is held in memory of Alex Dawe's young grandson, Liam Deering, who passed away after medical complications kept the infant at the Janeway Hospital for several months.
Liam's grandfather organized the run to raise funds for the hospital foundation in appreciation for the kindness and support the family received from the Janeway.
While the committee understands the regulations may be outdated and the RCMP have a job to do, they are disappointed with having to postpone.
"Based on the way things are going now with only one person permitted on an ATV and they have to be 14 or 15 to go on a 90 cc, children are totally taken out of the picture of what this started out to be and what it was for.
"The children could probably come to the building sometime during the day, but as regards to the run, they couldn't be a part of it. And really, that's what it was geared for and what it was all about," Butler concludes.
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15/01/08
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Frazer Smith from Grande Prairie, Alberta writes: As a resident of Spaniard's bay and currently working in Alberta, I'm dismayed that the ATV run for the little children ( Janeway Hospital ) possibly won't be going ahead this year. There are rules and regulations for ATVs yes, but the run is always taken seriously and conducted orderly under the watchful eyes of the RCMP and the organizations involved.Many people that take the time out from their daily schedules to collect donations for this very worthwhile cause will be very disappointed.There should be some kind of special dispensation to allow this run to go ahead.
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| Posted 02/02/2008 at 6:31 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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