ATVs may soon be permitted on urban La Broquerie roads.

La Broquerie Council last week gave first reading to a new Traffic and Transportation Bylaw. This bylaw takes many separate bylaws regarding roadway safety and vehicle operations and combines them into one cohesive whole. Among the old bylaws included in the new was that concerning off-road vehicles. In discussing the newly-formed Traffic and Transportation Bylaw, many councillors felt the former regulations were too restrictive to ATV drivers. As Reeve Lewis Weiss explains, a few amendments have been made to make the RM more navigable for their many off-road enthusiasts.

Where ATV operators were formerly restricted to designated trails and certain ditches in the Marchand area, Council plans on opening up nearly all rural municipal ditches. If the revised bylaw is passed, Weiss notes that ATVs will also be permitted on roadways within La Broquerie, Marchand, Zhoda, and other developed areas assuming drivers do not exceed 30 km/hr.

“I think this is a welcome thing for us to do," he remarks, "the residents of La Broquerie will be pleased.”

Weiss stresses that all other former rules regarding licensing, registration, and driving behaviors will remain in place.

“If people are spinning circles at the stop signs and ripping up and destroying the roads ATVs can still be impounded,” he warns.

Weiss also reminds residents that no quad will be allowed on any La Broquerie parks, playgrounds, paths, sidewalks, or any other public reserves or recreation areas.

Being only the first reading, Weiss says this bylaw is not yet official and is still open for discussion. After the second and third readings finalize the bylaw, Weiss encourages ATV owners to get a copy from the RM office and familiarize themselves with the new regulations.