imported post
imported post
Naniamo Trails Strategy Meeting Report
Please if you have not read the Trails Strategy Draft do so now and make sure you email a copy to anyone that has an interest.
http://www.tca.gov.bc.ca/sites_trails/docs/Provincial_Trails_Strategy/DraftTrail_Strategy_110608.pdf
I would like to thank all the DSBC members that showed up, I did not count you all but we were the single largest group at that meeting 12+. I also want to thank Frank for picking me up from the ferry. You Island Guys Rock.
We arrived a little early for the meeting and was talking to one of the horse people (no disrespect meant) and it seems after only a few minutes of conversation we on the same page. They understand that we will have to share some trails with motorcycles but why do they have to put up with the yahoos, you know who I am talking about, the guys that blow past everyone, usually with a Big Gun pipe with no regard for anyone else one the trail. We had a nice discussion and I feel if half the people in his group shares his feeling we can easily find common ground.
Unfortunately I am not a detail person so I will just let you know what I got from the meeting. John Hawkings from MoTCA was the main speaker and the others seemed to be fair and knowledgeable professionals. There was over 100 people stuffed in this room, it was obvious they (Trails Strategy ) were not anticipating this kind of attendance. I did a rough count of how many people represented Motorized use and Non Motorized
Motorized 56
Non Motorized 42
Unknown 12
The single largest group was DualSportBC
This is good start for us and the other Motorized user groups.
For those of you that will be attending the upcoming meetings around the Province, these meetings are for your information and input. I found at this meeting many people here wanted to discuss there local problems and issues. This is an overall plan so in the future we can deal with local or specific issues. The intent of these meeting is to see if they got the foundation in place so they can move forward. Save your riding area issues for another meeting. Try and focus on the overall plan and make sure our interests are being addressed in the draft plan.
In this Draft Plan we and the other Motorized users are included in the possess of the Trail Strategy. This has upset some of the Non Motor users, comments were made that the existing non motor trails are going to be opened up to motorized users. Obviously this is not the case, but this kind of “light you hair on fire†reaction can be expected. There are lots of trails in BC and we will have to manage them carefully, no doubt we will lose areas but in turn we will secure other areas, some trails will become multi use.
One equestrian group noted that there appeared to be an obvious organized effort to over represent a user group at this meeting (wonder what group they were talking about?) Some others simple wanted no Motorized use on any trails. John from MoTCA assured them that the Motorized users must be included in any plans regarding trail use. Basically the trails are for everyone but there has to be a balance and respect of all the different user groups.
Considering the mix of user groups the panel did a great job of keeping the discussion under control and focused. Remember when you attend this meeting its about the plan not Motorized vs Non Motorized. I think the future meetings will bring in more of the Non Motorized groups so be prepared to show your support.
An EZ two hours well spent I think.
Tom Timmerman
imported post
Naniamo Trails Strategy Meeting Report
Please if you have not read the Trails Strategy Draft do so now and make sure you email a copy to anyone that has an interest.
http://www.tca.gov.bc.ca/sites_trails/docs/Provincial_Trails_Strategy/DraftTrail_Strategy_110608.pdf
I would like to thank all the DSBC members that showed up, I did not count you all but we were the single largest group at that meeting 12+. I also want to thank Frank for picking me up from the ferry. You Island Guys Rock.
We arrived a little early for the meeting and was talking to one of the horse people (no disrespect meant) and it seems after only a few minutes of conversation we on the same page. They understand that we will have to share some trails with motorcycles but why do they have to put up with the yahoos, you know who I am talking about, the guys that blow past everyone, usually with a Big Gun pipe with no regard for anyone else one the trail. We had a nice discussion and I feel if half the people in his group shares his feeling we can easily find common ground.
Unfortunately I am not a detail person so I will just let you know what I got from the meeting. John Hawkings from MoTCA was the main speaker and the others seemed to be fair and knowledgeable professionals. There was over 100 people stuffed in this room, it was obvious they (Trails Strategy ) were not anticipating this kind of attendance. I did a rough count of how many people represented Motorized use and Non Motorized
Motorized 56
Non Motorized 42
Unknown 12
The single largest group was DualSportBC
This is good start for us and the other Motorized user groups.
For those of you that will be attending the upcoming meetings around the Province, these meetings are for your information and input. I found at this meeting many people here wanted to discuss there local problems and issues. This is an overall plan so in the future we can deal with local or specific issues. The intent of these meeting is to see if they got the foundation in place so they can move forward. Save your riding area issues for another meeting. Try and focus on the overall plan and make sure our interests are being addressed in the draft plan.
In this Draft Plan we and the other Motorized users are included in the possess of the Trail Strategy. This has upset some of the Non Motor users, comments were made that the existing non motor trails are going to be opened up to motorized users. Obviously this is not the case, but this kind of “light you hair on fire†reaction can be expected. There are lots of trails in BC and we will have to manage them carefully, no doubt we will lose areas but in turn we will secure other areas, some trails will become multi use.
One equestrian group noted that there appeared to be an obvious organized effort to over represent a user group at this meeting (wonder what group they were talking about?) Some others simple wanted no Motorized use on any trails. John from MoTCA assured them that the Motorized users must be included in any plans regarding trail use. Basically the trails are for everyone but there has to be a balance and respect of all the different user groups.
Considering the mix of user groups the panel did a great job of keeping the discussion under control and focused. Remember when you attend this meeting its about the plan not Motorized vs Non Motorized. I think the future meetings will bring in more of the Non Motorized groups so be prepared to show your support.
An EZ two hours well spent I think.
Tom Timmerman
