With All Terrain Vehicles back out on the trails, the ATV Association of Manitoba is helping local riders stay safe.

Vice President, Armando Bramdilla explained how ATV drivers can prepare for a safe ride.

"We have partnered up with Safety Services Manitoba. They periodically offer an ATV safety course, a hands on course where you bring a machine out and they teach you how to handle it. Some other things you can do is a pre-ride inspection of the machine to make sure it's in good working order and nothing is broken on it. And definitely insuring the machine is properly sized for the person who is riding it."

Bramdilla encourages drivers to travel in groups when trail riding and to always wear a helmet when operating a machine.

Meanwhile, the organization opened newly managed trails last month to help maintain safer driving zones.

"I think the confusion for some people is that since it's an all terrain vehicle they can ride it as long as they're not on a road or in traffic with other vehicles around," shared Bramdilla. "Generally what ATV MB recommends is speaking with the local municipality because they do have different bi-laws on the type of ATV traffic that can go through their R.M."

Bramdilla noted some municipalities will allow full usage, a few will have outright bans while others will have established zones where riders can drive.

Meanwhile, he talked about the province's newly managed and maintained trails.

"We announced the opening of the brand new Eastman and Little Bigfoot trails that are located out of Richer and Woodridge respectively," stated Bramdilla. "Those trails are technically two separate trails but they do link together to form one long 160 kilometre trail. Our member clubs, Eastman ATV Association and the Woodridge ATV Sandhogs, actually manage and keep those trails in good repair."

Bramdilla added these are multi-use trails which are also good for biking, hunting, hiking and other activities.

With lots of ATV trails having common entry points, he advises riders to use courtesy when meeting other vehicles.