Timmins dirt bike, ATV riders warned to stay off nature trail

Sudbury — Timmins Police Service say they have received "persistent and numerous complaints" about dirt bikes and ATVs illegally driving on the Bart Thompson nature trail.

In a news release Monday, police said riders are accessing the north loop of the trail at the north end of Legion Drive, as well as adjacent open properties north of Helen Street in South Porcupine.

"As a proactive measure, the Timmins Police Service – traffic section is seeking the cooperation of such off road vehicle operators to heed this public advisory in terms of securing their compliance," the release said.

Police are adding patrols in area, and warn any riders breaking the rules will penalized "as severely as possible" through fines and court appearances.

"The Bart Thompson nature trail system - the undeveloped land north of Helen Street in South Porcupine - the OFSC trail system within the city of Timmins are deemed to be private property with no allowance for its use by any motorized off road vehicles of any description," the release said.

"Any usage of this trail system by operators of ATV’s, dirt bikes or any motorized vehicles is prohibited as an infraction of the Trespass to Property Act and the Off Road Vehicles Act."

Anyone with relevant information about dirt bike or ATV drivers using illegal areas are asked to call police's traffic section at 705-264-1201, or Crime Stopper tip line at 1-800-222-8477 or by means of www.p3tips.com.