'No ATVs Please' Blogsite

(Are you listening out there?)……

Having read the 4 articles (Kawartha Lakes This Week) written in support of ATV use, it’s clear to me that none of you have been terrorized by hoards of ATV’s in your neighbourhood.  We love nature, walking trails and peace and quiet.  Within the past 3 years ATV use on our residential streets and nature trails has gotten completely out of control!  We get convoys of 7 or more at a time and over 50 in an afternoon.  This is not just a buzz for a few seconds.  It was amusing that you wrote about hearing bird calls!  The noise is so loud you can’t carry on a conversation while they pass, let alone hearing bird calls!

 It’s typical of the ATV attitude of entitlement.  It’s not us destroying your way of life; it’s you entering our neighbourhoods with your noise toys destroying ours. 

 Go play in your own back yard!

Got a letter to the editor you want posted…..

When we looked for a new home back in the 90’s we, like everyone else making our most important investment, did our homework. We did not buy close to a major road, due to noise and air pollution. We also did not buy on waterfront because of potential zooming of sea-doos, noisy power-boats and partying cottagers. Instead, we bought in the beautiful Bethany area with great walking and hiking right at our door. There were (and are) snowmobilers in the area, but their noise is muted by our closed winter windows, and only lasts as long as the snow does. The ATV’s however are able to annoy us 12 months a year. Why are they annoying you ask? Let me count the ways! Clouds of dust and stinking exhaust, ruts and puddles left in the trails, noise scaring off the four-legged and winged creatures, destruction of private property and they always seem to travel in packs of two to fifty-two! For the ATV enthusiast claiming how pleasurable “nature” is…I suggest that you save some money and buy a good pair of walking shoes, hiking boots, or a bicycle. Then you can really enjoy nature while reducing your carbon footprint. You may be surprised how pleasant it is, how good it makes you feel, and if you do enough of it, how much better your clothes fit. Who knows, you might even live longer!

Signed, A true nature lover