ATV Safety

With the increasing usage of ATVs in our Town and around the Province, it is important to know all you can about ATV safety, and knowing the places you can and can’t ride is the best preparation for safe and enjoyable riding. Prior to riding an ATV within the Town of Paradise, please review the information below regarding safe practices and legal usage. Safe ATV usage by everyone will keep you and our community safe.

Areas where ATV usage is allowed within the Town of Paradise:

Provincial Trailway West of McNamara Road until CBS Boundary
(April 27, 2021 Update – Due to trail upgrades, the T’Railway is currently closed to all traffic. Barricades are in place and residents are asked to follow all signage. Work is expected to be completed by end of July 2021 and will return to multi-use traffic.)
Areas outlined in Provincial Regulations, which includes:

abandoned railway corridors
highways abandoned under the Works, Services and Transportation Act,
forest access roads as defined under the Forestry Act,
roads constructed under licence issued under the Lands Act
and any other road constructed for the purpose of providing vehicular access to resources including but not limited to forestry, agriculture, hydroelectric, recreation, mining, industrial and similar developments

Areas where ATV usage is not permitted within the Town of Paradise:

Public roads and highway
Any Town walking trails or public parks maintained by the Town of Paradise
Any private property maintained by the Town of Paradise
Bogs and other environmentally sensitive areas are out of bounds except for the lawful transportation of an animal from the place where it was killed, and only under certain conditions (See the Provincial legislation for details).
ATVs are not permitted on a highway except to cross from one side to another and the operator must have insurance to do so. This rule does not apply to private woods roads, resource woods roads and cottage development roads.

ATV Rules

A person must be 16 to operate an adult-size ATV (over 90cc).
A person aged 14 or 15 can operate an ATV up to and including 90cc, if accompanied and supervised by a person 19 years of age or older.
A person under 14 years of age is not permitted to operate any size ATV.
Provincial legislation requires operators to wear a helmet. If the ATV has no windshield, then the operator must wear a face shield, safety glasses, or goggles. (Exceptions are possible in the forestry, mining, fishing, construction, or agricultural industries.)
Only carry passengers on ATVs designed for a second person.
Never drink and drive on an ATV.
Respect the environment when using an ATV.

The Town of Paradise Municipal Enforcement Officers (MEO) can issue tickets for the following offences:

Drive or Permit Operation of Unregistered Vehicle - $130
Operate Vehicle without Plates - $130
Fail to Transfer Ownership - $130
Operate Vehicle while crossing Highway without Driver License - $130
Operate Vehicle while crossing Highway under 19 without Insurance - $325
Fail to Yield Right of Way to Vehicles on a Highway - $130
Operate Vehicle without being Properly Accompanied (under 16) - $130
Operate Vehicle without Due Care and Attention - $130
Operate Vehicle without Reasonable consideration - $130
Operate ATV in Dangerous/Hazardous Manner - $130
Operate ATV Outside Approved Area - $650
Operate ATV on Highway - $130
Allow Person under 13 to Operate MSV (unless accompanied) - $130
Allow Person under 16 to Operate ATV - $130
Operator Permitting Passenger on ATV - $130
Operate or Ride ATV without Helmet - $130
Operate ATV without Shield/Glasses/Goggles - $130
Operate ATV without Adequate Lamps - $130
Fail to Obey Direction of Peace Officer - $130
No Insurance on Vehicle (ATV or MSV) - $325

If you see unsafe or illegal usage of an ATV in Paradise, please contact:

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary: 729-8000
Town of Paradise: 782-1400

Additional Resources