Whitehorse snowmobile survey calls for enforcement

A survey of people in Whitehorse indicates strong public support for the regulation of snowmobile use in the city, but city officials say there will be plenty of public education before enforcement is stepped up.

Results from the random survey of more than 200 residents — nearly half of which said they have driven a snowmobile in recent years — will be used by city officials to develop a new snowmobile bylaw.

About 58 per cent of survey respondents said they want more enforcement of snowmobile use in the city, while 73 per cent said they want more limits on snowmobile use in residential areas.

"There are a lot of things in the survey that point towards more enforcement," Dave Pruden, the city's bylaw manager, told reporters on Monday.

"But with enforcement, really, our stance is we want to educate, educate, educate," he added. "When we feel we've exhausted education, then to move to enforcement."

Clarity needed

Dee Enright, a facilitator on the city-led task force on snowmobile use, said survey respondents want clarification on things such as where in the city snowmobiles can go and where they cannot go.

"Both motorized and non-motorized users are sort of saying, 'We just need some clarity on these issues,' and I think it shows in the survey that people respect both groups' need to co-exist. But how do they do it?" she said.

Enright added that many snowmobilers are committed to enforcing themselves and educating each other.

"They've been very active with the city in maintaining trails, building trails, educating groups, educating snowmobile riders," she said.

The city plans to hold more public consultations this spring about what should be in the new snowmobile bylaw. Officials say they hope the new bylaw will be passed before next winter.