Where does the time go? This weekend, I have the honour of joining the Ontario Federation of All-Terrain Vehicle Clubs (OFATV) for their 25th Anniversary Celebration. It feels incredible to be part of this milestone, looking back on the journey that started 25 years ago in the Bangs Brothers’ Garage in Mattawa, Ontario. It’s only fitting that we return to Mattawa to celebrate where it all began!

Although I wasn’t involved when the Federation first started, I’ve witnessed how far the sport has come over the years. It’s hard to believe that 25 years have already passed. A lot has changed since those early days, and the evolution of ATVing from 1999 to 2024 continues to amaze me.

In the late 1990s, the idea of forming an ATV Federation was groundbreaking. Back then, having a four-wheel-drive machine was a big deal! Most of us rode semi-automatic 5-speed, two-wheel-drive Hondas or Kawasakis. ATVing was still in its infancy—there were no formal trails, no legal access to roads, and the idea of clubs and a Federation was brand new.

A major turning point came in 2003 with the introduction of Ontario Regulation 316/03, which allowed municipalities to permit ATVs on their roads—if the local council approved it. This was four years after the OFATV was founded. Convincing municipalities to pass bylaws enabling ATVs to connect trails and club networks took time, but it was a crucial step forward.

Since then, the advancements in ATV technology have been remarkable. The early two-wheel-drive models gave way to powerful 4x4s, and then came power steering, heated grips, electric starters—the list goes on. In 2002, the industry introduced the 2-up ATV, followed by the revolutionary side-by-side. These changes led to Regulation 134/15 in 2015, which gave municipalities the option to allow these larger machines on roads. It’s incredible to think it took 16 years from the OFATV’s inception for these machines to gain wider access across Ontario.

In 1999, the OFATV started with just four clubs. Some of those clubs are still around today, while others have come and gone. Fast forward to 2024, and the OFATV has grown to 23 clubs with an impressive 10,640 km of trails across Ontario. One of the original clubs, the Voyageur Multi-Use Trail System (VMUTS), has stood the test of time, and it’s fitting that we’re celebrating 25 years with VMUTS—where the Federation was born!

As I look ahead, I can’t help but wonder what the next 10 years will bring for ATVing and the OFATV. I’m excited to see how the sport will continue to evolve and grow.

I look forward to sharing more from the 25th anniversary celebration soon!

Dave Baker is a passionate outdoorsman with a deep love for hunting, fishing, trapping, and ATVing. He serves on the board and is a past president of the Ontario Federation of ATV Clubs (OFATV). You can follow him on X: @bigman78db.