Deadline May 30th Restrictions on Biking in the Chilcotins

[heading]BC Parks Comment Deadline Apr 30th Restrictions on Biking in the Chilcotins[/heading]Dear WORCA members and local outdoor enthusiasts,After a step in the right direction towards considering future mountain biking access in Garibaldi Provincial Park, we are at risk of taking one back.  With the 2014 publication of the Management Plan Amendment for  the Spearhead Area of Garibaldi Park,  BC Parks left open the door for considering future mountain biking access in this Park. Concurrently, there are Whistler stakeholders developing a plan to expand multi-use trails in the alpine areas around Whistler that will exemplify best practices in share-use trails between non-motorized recreational activities.Though some progress is being made towards expanding the mountain biking in alpine areas in BC, further challenges have arisen in other BC Parks which affect our local and visiting mountain bikers.WORCA would like to draw your attention to the Management Plans for the South Chilcotin Mountains Park and Yalacom Park.  These should be read and commented on by local mountain biking enthusiasts in the Whistler area.   In the management plan for these parks, again, mountain biking is portrayed as a threat and the plans call for restrictions and exclusion of mountain biking access in these Parks.  Please visit the BC Parks website to educate yourself on the changes proposed in these popular riding areas and provide your comments.  Deadline to comment is May 30.  It is important that mountain biking receives recognition that it can be managed as effectively and sustainably as other recreational activities such as hiking and horseback riding.WORCA would like to elaborate on some of the issues at hand.First and foremost we feel mountain biking has to be recognized as one of the vital and top important tourism activities in BC. It has been one of the fastest growing sports in this province and in our Association alone 412 out of our 1800+ members are youth.  Increasingly, outdoor enthusiasts choose mountain biking as a means to enjoy pristine wilderness. This activity is still on the rise and growing worldwide mostly due to new technologies which have made mountain bikes more user-friendly and appealing for a broader range of  people.Secondly, WORCA in no way supports any activity which would have a negative impact on  wildlife, ecosystems protection and sustainability plans. As outdoor enthusiasts who recreate in pristine wilderness on our mountain bikes, we have an interest in ensuring that  the right management plan is implemented. WORCA would like to see BC Park management plans include a vision for sustainable, low impact and high quality trail network development suitable for cross country mountain biking.The key issues at hand are the protection of grizzly habitat, trail erosion, ecosystem protection and user conflict. The only clear immediate solution presented in the most recent publication of the BC Parks management plans for the South Chilcotin Mountains Park is to exclude or limit the mountain biking access while maintaining access for hiking and horseback riding.   The argument is made that eliminating mountain biking will reduce biker/horse, biker/hiker and biker/grizzly conflict on  the descending portions of trails.  However, in the big picture of the management objectives this strategy would not tackle all issues.The location of the trail network in the South Chilcotin Mountains Park is part of the problem, as some trails promote high traffic in sensitive areas. These old routes were not designed for long term or increased use, whatever means are used for travel; especially horses; nor did they consider  habitat when the trails were developed. Though the existing trail network is well established, consideration should be given to determine whether all current trail alignments are sustainable long-term into the future. The improvement and development of trails planned to avoid sensitive areas should be the initial strategy for BC Parks management plans.New trail should be considered as a way of mitigating conflict with wildlife and reducing impact in sensitive areas.  Some trail sections might need to be decommissioned if they are not sustainable in the long term.  Furthermore, we feel some management strategies being implemented by Parks are contradicting some of their own stated objectives. Little is being done about hunting in the area and introducing mining to three borders of the Park will displace the grizzly and goat population into the recreation zones of the Park. Though it is not stated in the plan, mountain bikers are likely the biggest presence in the Taylor Basin mining area after hikers.Hidden in the Plan are some guidelines on mountain biking including preference for cross-country mountain biking over downhill, the restriction of stunt features and 3x3m trails. A few words are said but they hold little meaning as they show unfamiliarity with management of mountain biking. Instead, it is presumed that reducing or eliminating  mountain biking  will alleviate much traffic and pressure to take long term sustainable approaches in regards to trail network management and surrounding industry.On the contrary, BC Parks are also in fact eliminating the only activity which, through local operations and volunteer days, has a history of  re-invested time and money in trail maintenance and which has proven in other places to be involved in trail stewardship and  planning.For these reasons WORCA does not support BC Parks' approach in the South Chilcotins Mountains Park Management Plans.  WORCA is working towards providing BC Parks with progressive management strategies.  Please take the time to evaluate the proceedings and support mountain biking in the wilderness.Click here for the online comment formA further well-written article summarizing the issue can be found on Pinkbike - click here to read.