Calgary Cyclists Respond to Closure

IMBA Trail News
Volume 13, Number 2
Early Summer 2000

Calgary mountain bikers were dealt a blow this spring when access to the popular Nose Hill Park was severely restricted. Environmental concerns prompted the Calgary City Council to affirm a near-blanket bike ban on trails in two-thirds of the 2,700-acre park.

The trails in question include many on the escarpment that serves as a transition between the city and the heart of the park. The Calgary Mountain Bike Alliance agrees that a significant percentage of these routes should be be closed - but to all users, not just cyclists.

An April 3 meeting with the City Council resulted in a new cooperation agreement that will prompt a review of the closed trails. Although the closed trails are not being reopened, they are under review. CMBA is working with the Parks to create a pilot trail and to reroute 18 steep, unsustainable trails that remain open. CMBA must identify areas that are important to mountain bikers and show the city how to develop durable trails. Surveys show that conflict between user groups is not a significant problem at Nose Hill.

Glenn Krahulic, CMBA's Nose Hill liaison, says Calgary mountain bikers should see the positives in this revised outcome, while recognizing the challenges ahead. "The one downside is that we are still not treated as equals to hikers. I do not believe that this is a major negative since our goal will be to create trails that are desirable for all users. Hopefully, this will reduce the demands on the other undesignated trails and they will naturally reclaim themselves. If we continue to act responsibly in a year or two I can foresee cyclists being treated exactly the same as hikers."

Despite this broad ban, this controversy has helped CMBA reaffirm its role as a respected and central player in the development of Nose Hill park.