According to sources, snowmobile tracks are winding over fields and clear-cuts, despite it not being allowed. This has caused landowners in Edsbyn to contact Byn's snowmobile club to say there is a lot of riding outside the snowmobile trails. ' The club is responsible for maintaining about 40 miles of snowmobile trails in the area around Edsbyn and has contact with the landowners.
It is up to each landowner to allow the trail to go over their land, and if riders do not stay on designated trails, landowners can forbid the club from using their lands, which would make snowmobile riding completely forbidden in those areas. The club is now working to reach out to snowmobile riders who ride along their trails to stay on the trails. The exact extent of damage caused by off-trail riding is not known, and it is unclear what specific measures the club is taking to reach out to riders.
We must address the issue so that snowmobile riders behave themselves.
According to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, snowmobile riding is not included in the right of public access, and it is allowed only with landowner agreement. To travel safely, one should primarily follow marked snowmobile trails. Under off-road driving legislation, it is forbidden to drive on snow-covered ground if there is a risk of damage, including on forest plantations or young forest below two meters above snow cover, and snowmobiles are not allowed on public roads except for crossing or short detours.