Town of Fort Smith issues fines, seizes dirt bikes over concerns of unsafe riding

The Town of Fort Smith, N.W.T., is cracking down on reckless dirt bike and ATV riding in the community.

Bylaw officers have been issuing fines and confiscating bikes in an effort to address what they describe as a rise in unsafe and unlawful use. They said it's about safety, not punishment.

But some parents say it's gone too far, and the new enforcement effort has sparked pushback from some community members.

Bev Chepelsky, a Fort Smith parent, agrees kids shouldn't drive recklessly. But she says the town's approach is too harsh and was implemented without notice or community consultation.

"This crackdown seems like we're criminalizing children," she said. "There are kids who had their bikes confiscated while they were in class at school, which just really seems alarming to me."

The Town of Fort Smith recently posted on social media to remind residents of the laws regarding off-road vehicles. Those rules require helmets, valid registration, current insurance, and a driver's licence to operate within town limits.

Riders who don't meet those conditions are expected to take their machines out of town. The town also encourages residents to report unsafe riding and provide video or photos if possible.

Chepelsky says the town's approach fails to consider the value of riding for youth in Fort Smith, which she says is a way of life for her family and many others in the community.

She said it's a lifestyle that teaches mechanical skills, independence, and mental resilience. It's also a way for youth to connect. She said older kids teach the new riders the ropes and help them fix their machines.

"They share a lifestyle and an interest," she said. "I think that the people that get it, like, really get it that there's medicine in riding."

Chepelsky said her kids, who began riding as young as three years old, have learned responsibility, teamwork, and how to help each other through machine riding.

She wants to see the town work with parents and young riders to find a better solution. She's proposing things like a youth safety course or a designated area where riding can be monitored and encouraged.

Fort Smith's director of protective services, Adam McNab, said the town is open to working with families and the riding community.

"The Town of Fort Smith would love to see a proactive group like a club or association take on a mentoring role and maybe help to create some safe trail networks out of town to a designated area," he said.

However, McNab says it's illegal for children to operate unregistered, unlicensed, and uninsured motorized vehicles on public roads and that the priority is keeping all road users, especially children, safe.

McNab said the town has had many direct complaints about youth reckless driving in the community.

"Some youth have almost been hit by motorcycles, both on roads, sidewalks and the batch of trail systems," he said. "So that's really alarming to us."

He says that in some cases, youth have run from bylaw officers.

"When children are speeding on public roadways, stunting and doing wheelies, are underage, often don't have the right safety equipment, and aren't being monitored by an adult, that puts everybody in the community at risk."

McNab said he understands the appeal of riding because it's also part of his family's lifestyle, and he values the freedom that comes with riding in the North. However, the town's priority is making sure no one gets hurt.

"We do still want to support people being able to get out on a bike or a quad or side-by-side and enjoy themselves," he said. "Just licensed and registered, so we know that people know how to operate the equipment."