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Off-roaders want use of trestles
by Kelly Hayes - Story: 40154
Jun 25, 2008 / 5:00 am
Off-road motorized enthusiasts say they should be allowed to use the Myra Canyon trestles that opened last weekend.
Motorized vehicles were banned from using the trestles after the area was turned into a provincial park following the 2003 fire.
The owner of Canadian Wilderness Quad Tours in Kelowna, Kevin Mohr, says the trestles were built by machines for machines.
"Now they're saying we're not allowed to use them and that is not right," says Mohr.
Critics have complained that motorized vehicles are too noisy and create too much dust, but Mohr says most off-road users are responsible.
"No matter what you do, you're going to create dust. When we come across hikers, we slow down so there is no dust. There's always going to be off-road motorized users who don't care."
Mohr says off-road users would patrol their own if they were allowed to resume using the trestles and that the ban is hurting local tourism.
"They should allow the responsible people to go across. People like us can monitor the situation and if there are people up there causing problems we would confront them. I've had to turn business away because we can't cross the trestles and that's what people want to see."
Mohr adds that banning motorized vehicles also affects people with disabilities.
"By restricting motor vehicles, they've eliminated the chance for people with disabilities or people who can't walk long distances from seeing the trestles."
But the former president of the Myra Canyon Restoration Society says the rules banning motorized vehicles are there for a reason.
"The problem we visualized is that, with the amount of people using them, they're very narrow creating the possibility of accidents," says Carl Marcotte.
He says that with the rising price of gas, motorized enthusiasts should perhaps consider leaving their ATVs and motorcycles at home.
"Things change. Besides, with the price of gas today, maybe it's a good thing. I didn't make the rule, but I support it. Why not enjoy walking or cycling?"
But Mohr argues that bikes create more damage than ATV's.
"I'm sure that the bicycles are causing more damage than the ATVs because their tires are narrower."
by Kelly Hayes - Story: 40154
Jun 25, 2008 / 5:00 am
Off-road motorized enthusiasts say they should be allowed to use the Myra Canyon trestles that opened last weekend.
Motorized vehicles were banned from using the trestles after the area was turned into a provincial park following the 2003 fire.
The owner of Canadian Wilderness Quad Tours in Kelowna, Kevin Mohr, says the trestles were built by machines for machines.
"Now they're saying we're not allowed to use them and that is not right," says Mohr.
Critics have complained that motorized vehicles are too noisy and create too much dust, but Mohr says most off-road users are responsible.
"No matter what you do, you're going to create dust. When we come across hikers, we slow down so there is no dust. There's always going to be off-road motorized users who don't care."
Mohr says off-road users would patrol their own if they were allowed to resume using the trestles and that the ban is hurting local tourism.
"They should allow the responsible people to go across. People like us can monitor the situation and if there are people up there causing problems we would confront them. I've had to turn business away because we can't cross the trestles and that's what people want to see."
Mohr adds that banning motorized vehicles also affects people with disabilities.
"By restricting motor vehicles, they've eliminated the chance for people with disabilities or people who can't walk long distances from seeing the trestles."
But the former president of the Myra Canyon Restoration Society says the rules banning motorized vehicles are there for a reason.
"The problem we visualized is that, with the amount of people using them, they're very narrow creating the possibility of accidents," says Carl Marcotte.
He says that with the rising price of gas, motorized enthusiasts should perhaps consider leaving their ATVs and motorcycles at home.
"Things change. Besides, with the price of gas today, maybe it's a good thing. I didn't make the rule, but I support it. Why not enjoy walking or cycling?"
But Mohr argues that bikes create more damage than ATV's.
"I'm sure that the bicycles are causing more damage than the ATVs because their tires are narrower."