As of April 15, the Off-road Vehicle Pilot Project has ended, and off-road vehicles are no longer permitted on Town roads within the Waterfront Park Buffer Zone or the Ward 5 Catchment Area. Town staff will prepare a report for Council in the near future to provide an update on the pilot and propose the next steps. Residents are invited to email bylaws@georgina.ca with their feedback. Please be advised that under the pilot project, dirt bikes were prohibited, and they continue to be illegal on Town roads, Regional roads, and other municipal property such as parks and trails.
Overview
Ice fishing has been a long held tradition in the Town of Georgina. Many anglers have been using off-road vehicles along the shores of Lake Simcoe to access the ice in the winter months with the risk of receiving a ticket for riding illegally on Town roads.
The Town enacted a pilot project to permit the use of off-road vehicles on Town roads within the Waterfront Park Buffer Zone and the Ward 5 catchment area. This project was in effect until April 15, 2024 to allow people to access Lake Simcoe for ice fishing. Off-road vehicles were allowed under certain conditions found in the bylaw.
The Waterfront Park Buffer Zone includes the entire shoreline area of Lake Simcoe and Town roads in lakeside neighbourhoods excluding private roads, regional roads, and provincial highways. The Ward 5 catchment area is bounded by Park Road, Old Homestead Road, Weir’s Sideroad, Ravenshoe Road, Lakeridge Road and Highway 48 excluding private roads, regional roads, and provincial highways.
Public Engagement
Town contact
Contact Municipal Law Enforcement at bylaws@georgina.ca.
Timelines
Timeline
The pilot project came into effect on Jan. 17, 2024 and ran until April 15, 2024.
Documents
Council Reports
Council Report - Jan. 17, 2024
Council Report - Nov. 22, 2023
Council Report - July 12, 2023
Frequently asked questions
Could I ride my off-road vehicle on Town roads?
If you have a Class A, B, C, D, E, F, G, G2, M or M2 driver’s licence you were able to ride a licensed off-road vehicle (dirt bikes excluded) on highways within the Waterfront Park Buffer Zone or the Ward 5 Catchment Area under the following conditions:
- Two hours before sunrise until two hours after sunset;
- Between Dec. 15 and April 15 of the following year;
- Must hold liability insurance;
- Must bear a licence plate; and
- Must meet the equipment requirements of Sections 7 to 15 of O. Reg. 316/03, and is operated in accordance with Sections 16 to 24 of O. Reg. 316/03 under the Highway Traffic Act.
Where is the Waterfront Park Buffer Zone?
The Waterfront Park Buffer Zone is a defined area in the Town of Georgina that encompasses neighbourhoods where tourism has the potential to cause safety concerns and/or property conflict. It was developed after many public, staff-related and Council-related inquiries related to public parking conflict, parking fees, and overall tourism impact to local neighbourhoods along the waterfront throughout Georgina. As a result, the Waterfront Park Buffer Zone was created in late 2020. It includes the entire shoreline area of Lake Simcoe and Town roads in lakeside neighbourhoods.
The Waterfront Park Buffer Zone is outlined in detail in Schedule 14 (645.53 KB) of Bylaw 2002-0046.
Waterfront Park Buffer Zone map (3.25 MB).
Where is the Ward 5 Catchment Area?
The Ward 5 Catchment area includes all Town roadways, excluding regional roads, within that area, which is enclosed by Park Road, Old Homestead Road, Weir’s Sideroad, Ravenshoe Road, Lakeridge Road and Highway 48.
Did my off-road vehicle need to be licensed?
Yes, your off-road vehicle needed to have a licence plate and be insured.
What was the speed limit for off-road vehicles?
The speed limit for off-road vehicles was 20 kilometres per hour if the speed limit established under the Highway Traffic Act or by municipal bylaw for that part of the Highway is 50 kilometres per hour or less; or 50 kilometres per hour if the speed limit established under the Highway Traffic Act or by municipal bylaw for that part of the Highway is greater than 50 kilometres per hour.
Are dirt bikes included in the pilot project?
No. Dirt bikes were excluded from the pilot project and are prohibited on all Town roads, Regional roads, and other Town property such as parks and trails.
Was this bylaw permanent?
At this time, Council has only approved a pilot project, which will be evaluated in the spring of 2024. A report will go to Council to provide an update on the pilot and propose next steps. Residents are invited to email bylaws@georgina.ca with their feedback.
Review the bylaw.
Could I ride my off-road vehicle on regional roads or Highway 48?
No, off-road vehicles were only to be operated on Town roads within the Waterfront Park Buffer Zone or the Ward 5 Catchment Area during the times permitted in the bylaw. Off-road vehicles may only cross regional roads or provincial highways at a 90-degree angle.
Could I ride my off-road vehicle on private roads?
It was up to the owners of private roads to allow off-road vehicle users to operate on their roads. Do not use a private road without the owner’s permission.
Where could I access the ice with my off-road vehicle?
If you decided that the ice was safe enough for use, there were several private marinas and beach associations that may have provide access to the ice for a small fee, in addition to the following locations provided by the Town that could be used to access the ice with your Off-Road Vehicle:
- Boat launch at Adeline Park
- Boat launch at Young’s Harbour
- Road end at Glenwoods and Lake Drive South
- Boat launch at Rayner’s Park
- Road end at Old Homestead Rd and Lake Drive North
- Boat launch at Hadden Rd and Black River Road
- Road end at Duclos Point Rd and Blue Heron Drive
- Boat launch at road end of Holmes Point Road
- Boat launch on Clovelly Cove