IMBA Canada Helps Resolve Trail Policy in B.C.
IMBA Trail News
Volume 20, Number 1
Spring 2007
The Fall 2006 issue of Trail News issued a shocking assertion: Bike access in British Columbia could be widely threatened by a new policy issued by the Crown. In the months that have since passed, IMBA Canada has worked hard to resolve the issue, meeting frequently with officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Sports and the Arts (MTSA) and local riders to find solutions. Although the issue of unauthorized trailbuilding in B.C. has not yet been fully addressed, there are many encouraging developments to report.
The MTSA policy now provides a framework for continued access to mountain bike trails, and aims to help communities develop new trail networks. Prior to this policy, a significant number of trails were built on Crown land without authorization, which is a requirement under the Forest and Range Practices Act. The MTSA is responsible for managing all public and commercial recreation on Crown land, and they decided that the issue of unauthorized trails had to be addressed. The new policy will help ensure that trails will be created in appropriate locations, and follow appropriate safety and management standards.
In the near future, organizations will enter into "trail agreements" with the MTSA to develop, maintain and manage mountain bike trails on provincial Crown land. These will normally be a local mountain bike clubs, but other organizations may also be eligible. The policy does not apply to trail development within provincial parks - BC Parks has its own policy and procedure for authorizing trail development in parks and other protected areas.
The new MTSA policy was developed in a collaborative manner, with input from IMBA Canada and B.C. mountain bike clubs. MTSA also worked with provincial risk managers, legal staff and the commercial insurance industry to address liability and insurance issues. The current policy is considered a "working draft," to be implemented on a pilot project basis in several locations over the next 18-24 months. Tentatively, the pilot projects will be conducted in Squamish, Chilliwack, Burns Lake, Terrace, Nelson, Invermere, Kamloops and Williams Lake. Stay tuned to imba.com/Canada for developments.
IMBA Canada looks forward to continuing its partnership with the MTCA, so that the policies that affect mountain bikers in B.C. can be improved and refined. The lessons learned in this province may shape policy in other provinces, and outside Canada. If so, it will not be the first time that B.C. has influenced the rest of the mountain biking world. Much of the information above was supplied by a MTSA publication, "Authorizing Recreational Mountain Bike Trails on Provincial Crown Land."
