After consultations with Sudbury Trail Plan officials, city council passed a bylaw Tuesday that will allow snow machine drivers to use some walking trails when they're sledding this winter.
The bylaw comes after city staff met with several groups earlier this summer, including the Sudbury Trail Plan Association, Greater Sudbury Police Services and the Ontario Provincial Police.
“Additionally, staff members from other City of Greater Sudbury departments were consulted and input was obtained,” said a staff report on the motion.
The groups agreed the new bylaw should avoid overlap with all provincial and local rules. They also agreed that snow machines should be banned from sidewalks, boulevards and pedestrian bridges.
“The Sudbury Trail Plan Association agrees to the principle that motorized snow vehicles should not be on sidewalks (except to cross), boulevards and pedestrian bridges,” the report said.
But the association argued that parts of certain walking trails are “integral to the trail plan” and banning drivers from them would affect their ability to access the trails.
“The proposed bylaw prohibits operation on sidewalks (except to cross), boulevards and pedestrian bridges,” says the staff report. “It defers to the decision of council with respect to operation on walking trails.
Motorized snow vehicles are generally prohibited from roadways and municipal property unless a mutual agreement is reached between CGS staff and the Trail Plan Association.”
Wherever walking trails the snow machines are allowed to use, the speed limit will be 20 km/h, the report said.
“Operation will be restricted to the hours between 6 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. The operation of motorized snow vehicles on cyclist facilities will have to be addressed as cyclist facilities are developed.”
