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FORT McMURRAY — The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is reminding off-highway vehicle riders to follow local laws and plan ahead as work continues on a proposed pilot project to expand road access for riders in parts of Fort McMurray.
Currently, off-highway vehicles are permitted only on municipal roads in Abasand within the Fort McMurray Urban Service Area. Riding remains prohibited on municipal roads in all other neighbourhoods, as well as in parks, greenspaces and community trails.
Municipal administration updated council last week on progress toward a new pilot project that could provide improved access to provincial trail systems from Parsons Creek North, the Cree Road to Prospect Drive corridor in Timberlea, Wood Buffalo and Waterways.
Council voted to continue advancing the proposal, with public engagement scheduled to begin in September. The municipality says route refinement, environmental assessments and a provincial review must also be completed before a final recommendation returns to council in the first quarter of 2027. Any pilot project would also require provincial support and a new municipal bylaw.
Municipal officials are encouraging residents, whether they ride off-highway vehicles or not, to participate in the public consultation process.
The municipality is also urging riders to prepare before heading onto the trails by ensuring they have valid registration, insurance and licence plates, travelling with emergency supplies and checking weather conditions and wildfire restrictions before leaving.
Officials are reminding riders to avoid operating under the influence, supervise riders younger than 14 and follow manufacturer recommendations for passenger limits and minimum rider age.
The municipality is also encouraging riders to help prevent wildfires by ensuring off-highway vehicles are equipped with functioning spark arrestors, carrying water and a shovel, keeping machines free of debris and reporting wildfires to 310-FIRE.
The reminder comes as RCMP and municipal bylaw officers continue enforcement efforts targeting illegal off-highway vehicle use in Fort McMurray, including the use of drones. Officials say dangerous and illegal riding has contributed to serious collisions and injuries in recent years.
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