Recreational Vehicle Safety

Learn how to keep yourself safe while cycling. Find useful information on bicycling trails in Owen Sound.

Guidelines of safe cycling:

• All cyclists under the age of 18 MUST wear a properly fitting, approved helmet
• Your bicycle must be equipped with a bell or horn, and front and rear lights or reflectors if ridden in the dark
• Ensure your bicycle has at least one braking system
• Dress brightly to be seen by drivers
• Ride in the same direction as traffic and use hand signals to let drivers know what you plan to do
• Cyclists must follow the same rules of the road as a motor vehicle or they can be fined under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act
• Always lock your bicycle when it’s not being used, and record the serial number, make and model in the event that it is stolen.

Take a few minutes to make sure you are ready to boat safely before you leave. Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety is responsible for overseeing boating regulations, standard, enforcement and other services for recreational vessels. Find useful resources for recreational boaters, download the Safe Boating Guide, apply for a Pleasure Craft Licence and more, here: Office of Boating Safety (canada.ca)

Before heading out on an Off Road Vehicle (ORV) or All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), ensure you are in compliance with Ontario’s Off Road Vehicle Act regulation on the use of all-terrain vehicles. Be sure to also check out the City of Owen Sound’s Off-Road Vehicles By-Law.

Trails and services offered by the Ontario Federation of All Terrain Vehicle Clubs (OFATV) fall within the City of Owen Sound. Be sure to check out OFATV’s resources, training, trail maps, and permit requirements before heading out on the trails.

Be sure to check out the City of Owen Sound’s guidelines for snowmobile usage within the City covered by the City’s Snowmobile Operations By-law.

Owen Sound is located in the centre of the District 9 trail system offered by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC). Be sure to check out OFSC’s resources, training, trail maps, and permit requirements before heading out on the trails.

When operating an E-Bike you need to wear, at a minimum, a bicycle helmet.

There are specific regulations that advise that an E-Bike can go no faster than 32km/h on a roadway and that any modification to an E-Bike, such as removing the pedals or adapting the power source, classifies the E-Bike as a motorcycle, for which you need an M licence, insurance and registration. Read more about e-bikes on the Province of Ontario's website.

Although you do not need a license to operate an E-Bike, it is considered a vehicle under the Criminal Code, which means you cannot operate it if you are impaired or if you are a disqualified driver.