Dear Editor:
Re: Bikes bad for nature?, Burnaby NOW, July 2I
As a longtime member of the Burnaby Mountain Bike Association, I have been very impressed with what the association has done over the past decade with the environmental concerns of this beautiful area. I am not speaking on behalf of the association, just a concerned hiker/biker of the mountain.
When the association first started, they wanted to make sure they worked with all stakeholders and the City of Burnaby to do the best job possible for multi-use trails and environmental concerns.
The first few years were full of many, many meetings with the city/parks board etc. to make sure everything was done with best practices for the environmentally sensitive area and all concerned user groups. The association has four trail days a year and works with the city to work on the trails for all users.
We have had incredible volunteers from the Stoney Creek Environment Committee help us over the years, as well as the boy/ girl scouts from the Burquitlam area, other bike clubs and many others. We usually have 30 to 40-plus volunteers work all day to make the mountain a better place for all. Much of that work is erosion problems, drainage, safe low ladder bridges over sensitive areas, replanting of trees and native plants and garbage pick up etc.
The boy/girl scouts are the experts in tree planting and all work is done under the supervision of the city and supervisors. We have learned plenty over the years . regarding the native plants and trees. We have had experts come in from the North Shore Mountain Biking club to help us with the latest and best trail maintenance practices. I cannot say enough good things about the community and all the user groups that come together for these trail days and other events on the mountain from the Great Salmon Sendoff to the Cardiac Challenge Bike Race. West Coast Cycling, who are the organizers of the race, have been very well organized and run a great race. They make sure everything is done right and help us and many others on trail days.
The bike association is also big on getting kids out on their bikes. We have had many bike clinics over the years from Hats Off Days, Sapperton Days, the bike park on the mountain and Burnaby schools. We teach the kids about safe riding, safe areas to ride and bike maintenance. These bike clinics are always at no charge to the kids, and we work with incredible volunteer coaches and the Burnaby Optimist Club, which feeds the kids with an incredible barbecue. Many of these volunteers also help with the Velodrome racing and the Giro di Burnaby. Many of these young kids come back to help with our bike clinics and trail days and get credit with school volunteer/Scout/leadership courses.
I have some concerns as well with this mountain and the environmental sensitivities. I feel the concerns are being well managed by the city and with the help of us all, will be looked after in the future. With all the wildlife and salmon in the area, it is an amazing gem in the middle of our city.
For those that do not know about many of the trails that have been opened up (multi-use and pedestrian only), some are rarely used. Do yourself a favour and take a hike or bike ride on the quiet north side of the mountain. From the bike park you can hike Hang Your Hat or Mountain Air trail and see for yourself what all of us can do by working together.
If you feel really good, head up the 500 very steep steps of the Velodrome Trail, 700-plus feet up to the Playground of the Gods. Last Thursday night, there were only four on the entire trail. Looking forward to working with all for our gem in the city.
John Preissl, via email
