All Hands on Deck March 6th on the Rails to Trails

By Keith Ayling

This article was originally published in the March 2020 issue of the Masthead News

It was all hands on deck on the St. Margaret’s Bay Area Rails to Trails Friday, March 6th, as numerous agencies showed up to emphasize education and enforcement while using the popular trail around St. Margaret’s Bay.

Representatives from the Halifax District RCMP Tantallon Detachment were joined by members of the Safety Minded ATV Association, the All Terrain Vehicle Association of Nova Scotia, the Provincial Conservation officers with the Nova Scotia Department of the Environment, and Citizens on Patrol, all of whom are responsible for monitoring and keeping the trail safe for hundreds of users.

The group, while on patrol, looks for illegal use of dirt bikes and motorcycles that are not allowed on the trail, as well as for no vehicle registrations, no insurance, no helmets and speeders.

The trail rules limit speed to 20 mph for ATV’s, no hunting or trapping, no amphibious vehicles, no cars, trucks or SUV’s, no motorcycles or dirt bikes, and no use between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.

Dogs must be on a leash and cleaned up after, and cyclists must ring a bell when approaching other users.

Members of the group and departments mentioned can be out on patrol during days, nights, and weekends, and encouraging users to obey the rules so that everyone can enjoy their day and the great outdoors.