Private Property ATV and dirt bikers beware

Leo Ladouceur | Sep 09, 2020

For years I have been maintaining ten kilometers of hiking and cross-country bicycle trails on my private land near Ompah. Every weekend in spring and fall and most days throughout the summer ATV and dirt bikers trespass, joyride and tear up these trails. Whenever I can stop and confront them, they all seem to have the same prepared and rehearsed but stupid and ridiculous response. “Gee. Maybe we are lost. Isn’t this the trail to Calabogie?”

Could it be that everyone headed for Calobogie gets lost around Ompah? Or maybe these riders are told by ATV associations and ATV dealers that using this statement is all they need to freely trespass wherever they want to go.

Seriously we must all co-operate to get along and enjoy our outdoors. Riders please stay off private land if you do not have the owners’ permission to cross. If you tear up the trails you know the owners will close the gates. ATV associations should tell their members what the trespass rules are. Give them good maps that clearly explain where they can and cannot ride.

Leo Ladouceur