Ride safe and kick start off-highway vehicle adventures by planning ahead

(Fort McMurray, AB – July 22, 2026) – Gearing up to hit the trails? Before you rev up your quad, dirt bike or side-by-side, take a few minutes to brush up on off-highway vehicle (OHV) laws and safety tips. All fun and safe OHV adventures start by planning ahead!   

Work progressing on new OHV Pilot Project  

At the July 15 Council meeting, an update was shared on the work to create a new OHV pilot project for other neighbourhoods outside of Abasand. A preliminary assessment is complete and the following areas are identified as potential locations for a new OHV pilot project to allow easier access to OHV trails: 

*OHV use is currently not allowed in these areas as the pilot is still being developed and assessed.  

Council confirmed their support to continue to move this work forward, with next steps being comprehensive public engagement, route refinement and environmental assessments as well as a Provincial review.  

Public engagement will begin in September and everyone in the region is encouraged to participate. Whether you are an OHV user or not, we want to hear from you! More details on public engagement, including a survey and in-person events, will be shared in September.  

A final recommendation to establish a new OHV pilot project will be presented to Council in the first quarter of 2027 due to the anticipated timeline for the Provincial review. The Government of Alberta needs to support this work and Council must approve a new bylaw before the pilot can begin.   

To learn more, watch the Council presentation and review the report in the Council Agenda.   

Be prepared. Plan ahead.  

There are additional laws and requirements to operate an OHV on Municipal roads in Abasand. Rural communities also have different OHV bylaws. To learn more, visit the RMWB OHV webpage. 

Spark good times, not fires 

Know the limits. Follow the laws.

Once you're out of Fort McMurray, there's no shortage of great spots for motorized recreation. OHV trails are on Provincial land and the best way to access them is at one of the OHV staging areas or a trailhead outside of Fort McMurray.  

It is against the law to ride an OHV anywhere in the Fort McMurray Urban Service Area, except for Municipal roads in Abasand. Greenspaces, neighbourhood trails, parks and all roads outside of Abasand are off limits. 

While most OHV riders are following the laws and riding safely, there continues to be reports of illegal OHV use in Fort McMurray, including very serious collisions and injuries.  The RCMP and Bylaw Services are doing regular patrols and checks, including the use of drones, to ensure everyone is riding safely.   

Irresponsible or dangerous riding hurts the reputation of the entire OHV community. If you see illegal or unsafe OHV use, make note of the licence plate, address, or nearby location, and report it to 310-RCMP or Pulse at 780-743-7000.