Fédération Québécoise des Clubs Quads Danny Gagnon General manager (FQCQ)
Mission and objectives Our organism was created in 1985, by a group on ATV riders, and was sponsored, at the time, by the AMMQ (Motorcycle dealers association) To better structure and manage ATV riding in the province of Quebec To become a representative of the 362 076 registered vehicles when dealing with government authorities To develop a four-season trail network throughout the province To train new drivers Promote national and international quad riding tourism
How did we do it? At first, in 1985, we asked to the Quebec government, to be recognized as the ATV users official representative Called meetings with motorcycle dealer s customers who bought ATVs, in order to create clubs Asked assistance from dealers to identify if non federated clubs exist in their towns Organized meetings with these clubs so they joint the federation
Credibility comes first! Impartial and neutral head-office Administration council members not attached to a particular club High level of service to all the clubs such as: how to start a club, legal assistance, problems resolution Negotiated an insurance program for the clubs responsibility Negotiated an insurance program at a cheaper cost for all the members of federated clubs
What made ATV clubs succeed? Maintenance of winter trails helps the sale of access rights/membership (users get a service) Many trail officers patrollers (verify and sale access rights 7 days a week) Good trail maintenance Sufficient signage along the trails Be exhibitor at different shows and events in order to meet and inform people about ATV clubs
Current situation of the F.Q.C.Q. 3 500 dedicated volunteers (who built, maintain and patrol the trails) 55,086 ATV members for 2009 (raise of the membership of 252 % from 1996 to 2009 20,254 kilometres of trails allowing riding all four seasons (raise of 105 % of trail covering since 1996) 123 clubs across the province of Quebec (raise of 100 % since 1996)
Current situation of the F.Q.C.Q. 191 groomers, own by our clubs, for trail maintenance (average value of $150,000 each) 1642 volunteers trail officers (local patrol) 49 volunteers federate trail officers (provincial patrol) (on a rotating work schedule with 8 service quads)
F.Q.C.Q. work tools Insurance program for ATV s owned exclusive to our members Financial assistance Program for quad clubs aimed at improving safety along the trails The "Sentier Quad magazine" to stimulate quad tourism and to communicate with members The Salon national du Quad to promote the activity Participation in an ATV television show to promote the activity 46 quad driving instructors Internet web site On line trail maintenance (thru satellite transponder on groomers)
Profile of our members Average yearly incomes range between $ 35,000 and $ 45,000 28% aging between 36 and 45 30% aging between 46 and 65 21% aging between 25 and 35 9% aging between 19 and 24 4% are older than 66
Incomes from membership sales Trails access right: $ 160 / ATV FQCQ and clubs membership income $ 17 administration of the FQCQ $ 10 in an equalization fund FQCQ Equalization fund Club operations $ 133 for the clubs operations
Incomes from Québec government programs Yearly, $6 X 362 076 ATV annual registration fees are reinvested by the government into our organisation for a total return of : $ 2 172 456 share out in the following 5 programs: Trail maintenance 1,053,000$ Machinery purchase 300,000$ (up to 50% of the cost) Trail/road signs 175,000$ (up to 50%of the cost) Safety and environmental protection 468 245 $ ATV clubs support 201 000 $
Yearly reinvested money into the ATV activity FQCQ $ 936,462,00 Equalization funds $ 550,860,00 Clubs $ 7,326,438,00 Government $ 2,172,245,00 For a total of $ 10,986,005,00 And 14 400 ATV activity related jobs across our province
Governments benefits and Québec tourism impact per year Tax return to Québec government 194 M $ Tax return to Canadian government 130 M $ Quad tourism income (accommodation, restaurants ) 291 M $ Quad direct expanses (ATV, gas, ) 300 M $ Total money generated by ATVs 915 M $
The benefits of structured quad riding Welcoming new enthusiasts throughout the seasons Maintaining jobs in the tourism industry Creating and maintaining jobs within the regions Considerably reducing anarchist quad riding Reducing the number of incidents/accidents related to the sport
The necessity of better manage quad riding Directing vehicles into a safe trail network Promoting protection of the environment and wildlife by designating specific sites for quad riding Maintaining public peace through the respect of property and citizens Providing safe sites for all users Promoting family practice of the activity
Summer difficult issues we meet Summer trails: people can go out at any place so they don t feel the need to become member if they don t get services attached But, installing a lot of signage about safety, localization, services available from the trails, helps to convince summer riders to join a club
Summer difficult issues we meet Strangely, it is more expansive to make good quality of trails for summer than winter. For example, may have to built bridges Clubs have to keep patrolling their trails in summer and inform users they have to get their access right to be allowed in the trails Noise and dust disturbing the residents as the windows may be open or people spend more time outside at this time of year Smart planning of trails network is the best way not to disturb citizens. It is easier to modify a plan now than getting in trouble with the community later.
Quebec trail network overview
You can do it too! Determination, a lot of volunteer work and a good strategy of development are the best tools to succeed No matter how hard it can be sometimes, always remember that you re doing all this for the fun of ATV riding