Govt Seeks Public Feedback On ATV Proposal

October 31, 2017

The Ministry of Public Works is seeking feedback on a proposed change of the use for part of the Bermuda Railway Trail Park in Sandys, to consider a proposal for a private entity to conduct ATV tours in the area.

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A spokesperson said, “The Government of Bermuda is committed to ensuring that it provides opportunities for residents to share their feedback on matters of importance that affect them.

“In that regard, the Ministry of Public Works is currently seeking the public’s submissions / comments regarding a proposed change of the use to the Bermuda Railway Trail Park in the protected areas of Scaur Hill Fort Park and Hog Bay Park.

“The changes to the Railway Trail are in consideration of a proposal for a private entity to conduct all-terrain vehicle or ATV tours throughout the western section of the Bermuda Railway Trail Park – specifically Scaur Hill Fort Park and Hog Bay Park.

“The public is encouraged to share their submissions in the following ways:

  • Members of the public can submit their comments in writing by visiting the Government Portal here or here
  • Submissions can be sent in to the Parks Department, via email at parkspublicconsultation@gov.bm before 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 14th.
  • Individuals can mail their submissions to the Department of Parks, P.O. Box HM20, Hamilton, HMAX.
  • Interested residents can also provide their submissions in person by visiting the Department of Parks’ main office, Ground floor Global House, Church Street, Hamilton.

“The Department of Parks will have forms available to fill out, and schematics of the proposed trail changes will be on display in their main lobby for review and consideration.

“Schematics of the proposed trail changes will be on display from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, November 1st 2017 – Tuesday November 14th.”

For more information regarding this proposal, people can email parkspublicconsultation@gov.bm.

The Proposed Change of Use and comment sheet follow below [PDF here]:

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Comments (67)

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  1. Hmm says:

    This is simply unnessessary. If the speed is only 10mph why not just stick with mountain biking tours?

    • Weighth loss says:

      Have you seen the size of some of these tourists?

  2. Triangle Drifter says:

    Smells like a friends & family done deal using public land & most likely using it for free. No matter. It is destined to be a flop. Who is going to do a Bermuda priced ATV tour over such a small area when there are such tours & rentals all over the US on private & huge areas of public land?

    • Weighth loss says:

      Nobody goes to ANY destination for their ATV tours HOWEVER it is nice to have the option when you get there.

      • Family Man says:

        Somehow a stroll through one of the largest PARKS in the Bermuda National Parks system, enjoying the peace and quiet of the natural surroundings, doesn’t seem to be compatible with having to move aside for a line of overgrown hillbilly golf carts. Do we need to redefine what we mean by a park?

        But then, aren’t these the same people building a massive maintenance yard and multi-storey water tank in the middle of the botanical gardens?

      • Build a Better Bermuda says:

        Yes, but most places that do ATV tours, do them out of urban areas… the whole of Bermuda is an urban area, meaning that this will have people (many of whom will have no ATV experience) driving through our neighbourhoods.

    • Bermie says:

      Couldn’t agree more. This whole thing stinks. Trashing our beautiful environment on the off-chance of someone making a short term profit.

    • Serious Though says:

      Friends and Family , yah OBA

  3. Ludicrous says:

    Have we lost the plot in this little Island. Where is the Sandy’s Parish Council on this ? This is a lot to give up by the people of Sandys for one or two men’s greed !

    • Railway Trail walker! says:

      You will NOT see a response from the Sandys Parish Council. I would bet on it!

  4. J R Smith says:

    Hell to the no!!!

  5. J R Smith says:

    Helll no!!!

  6. Truth is killin' me... says:

    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO…ATVs are a scourge to the natural beauty of the island!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  7. Coffee says:

    No !

  8. Hell no! says:

    Hell no!

  9. Upset voter says:

    This is very dangerous, please don’t do it!

  10. MB says:

    Sorry..we r considering seriously among most dangerous of vehicles for novices on a quiet scenic trail, have we lost our minds govt??
    We say no to casinos, gay tourism, franchises, beach bars, hotels on beaches, and just about everything else but we are considering this dumb idea…SMH

  11. Dennis C says:

    Does Government or anyone really need feedback on this?! Very ba idea!

  12. Seriously though says:

    Electric ATV yes, environmental impact, neighborhoods noise and privacy , study need to be done .. better structured to the idea. Don’t rush it please

    • Railway Trail walker! says:

      Electric ATV’s will still tear up the parks! JUST SAY NO!

  13. Micro says:

    Fat tire bicycles with electric assist for less capable adventurer would be a better fit.

    • jty says:

      Agreed. Much better fit for everyone involved.

      • Weighth loss says:

        not if you cant ride a bike

        • Justsayin says:

          if you cant ride a bike you probably shouldnt ride an atv either. plus i live west and use these trails regularly….horrible idea!

        • Anbu says:

          If u cant ride a bike then u cant ride an atv either. U must lean on an atv to turn even moreso than on a bike. I predict alot of tree surgery will be needed if this goes through. Sorry “when” this goes through. Funny how we think we actually have a choice on this. This article is just to shut up the diehards.

  14. Stinky D. says:

    Bad idea
    Say no to ATVs

  15. Me@GMale says:

    No!!!! …. noisy, gas sucking, smoke and noise spewing ATV’s teaching about the environment? Who’s Hair brained idea is this? Do a walking tour or electric assist mountain bike tour if anything.
    This idea is insane! No! No No!

  16. Digger says:

    The Jetski tours are bad enough on the water when you are trying to have a peaceful day on the boat now ATV’s on the land. NO WAY

  17. Navin Johnson says:

    absurd idea

  18. Rada Gast says:

    Scaur Hill is one of the most peaceful places in the entire west end. ATV tours in the area are an incredibly daft idea. NO.

  19. Kim says:

    I was with friends using ATVs in Anguilla last year. The ATV that my friend is riding had something wrong with it as it kept turning to the right. At one point while we were on a straight road it turns to the right ran her into a wall and flipped on top of her. She was taken to the hospital and was very lucky not to have broken anything. But she did have internal bruising. They are very dangerous and I strongly say NO!

    • sage says:

      You must be anti-scooter rental too since tourists have died riding them.

  20. Beth says:

    I hope everyone will “write” in and oppose this venture.

  21. Infidelguy says:

    These vehicles will destroy the ecosystem. Bad idea!!!

  22. Jus' Askin' says:

    Electric Trikes!!!!! ;-)

  23. sandgrownan says:

    No!! Nooo! How about no! Terrible, awful idea. No. Nada. Nein.

  24. john says:

    arent ATV tours done all over the world, so why not here. why does bermuda still have to be a boring resort for tourist. I think its a good idea, no different to when they approved jetski tours.

    • Railway Trail walker! says:

      All over the world they have LOTS of land where it may be used for different recreational activities. Here in Bermuda we only have limited space to get away and enjoy quiet nature. The Parks were set up so not to be Mechanized and should stay that way.

  25. Flash says:

    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO – This is a really unintelligent idea. ATVs are not the safest of vehicles and as the trail is used by children, adults and others who walk and cycle the trail – this just adds another element of absolute DANGER. Not to mention that an ATV is MUCH wider than an auxiliary cycle. HORRIBLE IDEA – PLEASEEEEEE NOOOOOOO

  26. Fisherman says:

    No, No and NO!!!!

  27. 2025 plan says:

    You guys where put in power to make decisions, stop looking for people to blame if you make the wrong decision.

  28. Bdabye says:

    The ATV’S will tear up the trail. First rain, it will become muddy and impassable to people on foot. A big common sense no to this one.

  29. conspiracytheory says:

    Good God No! And every diddly-bop and his dog will be using it in between time as a race track for their bikes.

  30. wahoo says:

    No! This is not a good idea in fact it is a bad idea these things do nothing but harm to environment, the noise, the tearing up of land and the fumes there is nothing good here unless you are the proprietor.

  31. puzzled says:

    The people have spoken.
    Find another idea guys.
    Were going downhill fast already.

  32. Mary Sumpter says:

    Please, NO! With traffic on the roads the way it is nowadays, there are so few safe places left in Bermuda for people to enjoy a peaceful walk. We need to be encouraging healthy activities like walking. Bermudians First should be all over this! There is far too much obesity in this Island and we need to be encouraging more healthy excercise. Please don’t take away our walking areas.

  33. Cow Polly says:

    I’ve done ‘extreme’ adventure tours in Mexico which consisted of ATV riding, zip-lining and swimming in caves. It was a lot of fun but the ATV portion was not for sight seeing so much as to ride these bikes through rocky terrain and trees. I think it would be good for the island to have more of these adventure type tour parks and would suggest something a bit out of the way like Coney Island, Dockyard or Clearwater to set them up in, then tourists can do a bit of everything including a water slide down a cliff into the water all in one place.
    Just my two pennyworth.

    • Justsayin says:

      agreed. the idea of atv is not bad…but on the railway trail…..and small quiet parks….retarded idea. southside/coney island is the only place this could work. leave the quiet parks that people walk their dogs and children alone and let them be just that…just not enough space for it..plane and simple. and ifyour gonna say its ok to drive an atv on the railway trail how you gonna stop people on scooters and motorcross bikes….dumb

  34. Will says:

    I live on the tracks of this proposed route and I gotta say NO! Already we have these nuisance teenagers riding their road illegal bikes up and down every day creating a racket I don’t need this going by several times a day. Now if they were electric that’s a different story but I doubt they will be so again it’s a no from me.

  35. Clarity says:

    No! Bad for the environment, too noisy, dangerous to the client, damaging to native and endemic species and totally inappropriate for a park activity

  36. Athena says:

    The most hare-brained idea I have read to date!

    Perfect reason for BEST to start a petition for all those against implementing this ecological nightmare.

  37. Robin Chapman says:

    I live on this section and know we already have bike and hike tours. There are a lot of seniors, and families with small kids that use this section for exercise, and bike practice to get the training wheels off. They already deal with speeding motorcycles and the occasional car. And yes I know some cars are residents with right of way, who watch out for our neighbors. I don’t think this is a good idea, I thought we were trying to encourage healthy actives, move our bodies, sitting on butts is not it, not to mention the environmental impact. No!

  38. Christine W says:

    Bermuda has so little open space left.
    Land MOASTLY all gone tourists look for OPEN SPACE —- the beauty of stunning wilderness there are only a few areas left to take pictures to show this oceanic islands uniqueness…few places to smell the sweet scent of fennel and Sage Bush .. wildflowers ..flora and fauna…wild habitats to enjoy birds insects..

    Not sure why there is any debate on this one..there are areas to scramble already set up in place out at the base-lands..A lovely area already sacrificed…quite far from habitation and close to airport runway..and no private homes.

  39. Build a Better Bermuda says:

    I wouldn’t object so long as they only allowed to use electric ATV’s. My greater concern is why this isn’t going through the BTA, as this is being plugged as a Tourism product, wouldn’t this fall under something the BTA should be inquiring about. Or why not Parks…? But Public Works… yup, this stinks of return to friends and family and politricks trading.

  40. Christine says:

    Mostly !!!

  41. Keepin' it Real!...4Real! says:

    I don’t find a problem with it…I’m quite sure there will be designated trails for the guide to proceed on…not just tearing up the area nilly willy…The noise factor could be a problem unless they’re electric…plus the small amount of tourists here might only get 2 or 3 tours a day if they’re lucky…also I don’t know why y’all opposing this venture when your son’s or nephews are blasting their motocross bikes everywhere…isn’t that an illegal pastime??

  42. Serious Though says:

    There you go Government NO is the answer

  43. Sir Osiris says:

    This is a highly stupid and dangerous idea, and should never see the light of day. When I was 18 years old I had this idea and everyone told me it was a stupid idea and nobody would buy into it. Now someone else is doing it. Well, it is a stupid idea, and to have it on the railway trail is asking for danger and damage. Totally stupid idea. Move on!
    ATVs are powerful and have large engines and what if someone gets killed or flies off into a rockface or off a cliff or gets impaled on a tree? Or runs over children? No no no.

  44. Logan N. L says:

    Please,,,,,please,,,,,,,no.

  45. Logan N. L says:

    Will this allow all motor cycles and 150 scooters to use the same railway trail? or just for some company, when ever they want to?

  46. Concerned Bermudian says:

    I really feel that the Enviorment is not suitable for this kind of activity,just because other places in the worid have been able to make this venture work for them it doesn’t necessarily make feasible for Bermuda. They have to use the public roads in part so it does offer some dangerous things to both the public and visitors alike

  47. Bermudiful suggestion says:

    I think it seems like a good idea however on a side note I’d like to see the less industrial styled atvs given to the 16 yr olds on the road so that they can’t 3rd lane or get into as many accidents

  48. Albey DeSilva says:

    Not required. Totally against it.

  49. Bermie says:

    Even without considering the environmental destruction, the liability issues alone on this stupid idea should nix it entirely. It’s Government owned land so who does the Government think is going to get sued when someone breaks their neck or has a collision with the ordinary users of the parks and trails i.e. seniors, children, pets, etc.? The insurance premium alone, assuming anyone would insure such a venture, would make it unworkable financially. Someone has not done their basic homework. I agree with “Triangle Drifter” that this smells of ‘friends and family’ deal…

  50. Kathy says:

    I haven’t read one positive comment above so the answer would be a resounding NO. And by the way, that isn’t just a “part of the railway trail in Sandys”! It is basically the whole way! So, are we saying that they will be able to go on the main road (across Somerset Bridge) to get to Hog Bay Park?

  51. jean says:

    I walk the Ord Road Railroad Trail every day with my blind dog, it is a very peaceful way to start the day. Not to mention the beauty of this part of the trail. Will we be next in this insane plan?

  52. IslandBread says:

    No! Its absurd. Hog Bay is a beautiful vibrant natural park and the only way to move through it is slowly and peaceably. You’d miss the essence of it anyway if you don’t walk. The car park is there for a reason. ATVs would tear up the trails and amongst other things, making it dangerous for bicycles, runners, hikers, especially compromising moving down hills. These parks are not places for frequent vehicles. Its best to respect the parks and the many current users of the parks, our island jungles, and find ways to promote symbiosis of our natural environment and our demand on it. No to the ATVs. We cannot be compared to larger destinations that provide ATV tours. As for the jet ski tours, well we do have more water than land. People that take advantage of the gifts of the land seemingly were not bred by the land. When people force the land to adjust to their desires the land suffers, then the people with it… The people need to adjust.