Last CM Council meeting, Council approved about 100 mountain bike cyclists, 10 at a time, to race at various spots on Cavan-Monaghan walking trails for 6 hours on Sunday, October 3rd. Final approval is pending verification of event insurance. Potential benefits – food and lodging. Total time to approval – about 15 minutes.
Earlier, a cycling group wanted Council’s endorsement of potential routes from Lake Ontario that included roads in the Township. Little discussion was had about safety and insurance. Potential benefits – food and lodging. Total time to approval – about 10 minutes.
May 6, 2019, a group of residents sent a delegation to Council with a plan, a subject matter expert partner, some funding and large support from the rural parts of the Township, to develop an ORV strategy for a multi-use trail system that included strategic use of Township roads. Proven benefits – fuel, food, lodging, retail, and service/supply. Total expended time – 879 days and counting.
For biking, cyclists don’t require a license, a bike license, insurance, or safety equipment (for adults) but a OVR rider needs all of these and is subject to the Highway Traffic Act, fines and demerit points when riding on township roads.
Its no wonder Peterborough Health’s stats** show that Peterborough County cyclists’ hospital emergency department visits are 2.48 times greater than ORV riders.
So ORVs are insured, licensed and the stats show safer – why the DELAY for ORV road use in the Township?
Double Standard?
** Peterborough Health email – 3/19/2020
Al Steel, Cavan
