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Councillor Crist update |
I'm keenly aware that the world of mountain biking is keeping tabs on the North Shore right now. For the moment all seems to be quiet and hopefully it shall remain that way until Council again begins to debate the Alpine Recreational Strategic Study some time in March. Once that meeting is confirmed we'll need a real show of strength at the meeting. I'll keep you informed about the dates.
I had a realization last week. Upon hearing Councillor Ernie Crist's latest protestations about mountain biking I realized that the only thing worse than having him against us would be having him on our side. Councillor Crist at times seems like a child caught in a lie. Rather than examining his position and perhaps altering it some as new information comes to light, he seamlessly changes the reasoning behind his argument. In the beginning of this process he stated that he was not against mountain biking; he simply felt we were incompatible with the residents of the Upper Lynn neighbourhood. His idea was for us to ride 'in the hinterland' where we wouldn't have residents to interact with. He failed to expand on exactly where we'd be put or how we'd access these locations but at least he had an idea and a rationale at that time.
He's singing a different tune these days. The current melody suggests that mountain biking can't work on Mount Fromme because of the climate and the topography. He contends that because the mountain is too steep and the area gets too much rain mountain bikers do environmental damage to the mountain. It's odd that just a short while ago Councillor Crist wanted to send us to areas that were completely unspoiled and yet now he feels we shouldn't be riding at all - except on the pavement. I wondered how he came to these conclusions so I sent him an email asking about his experience on Mount Fromme. It seems evident from his replies (below) that Councillor Crist has yet to see a single mountain bike trail on Mount Fromme.
The trails on Fromme are not perfect but they are probably the best examples of sustainable trail construction anywhere. Anyone familiar with the construction methods employed by the trail builders knows that every effort is made to lessen the impact we riders have on the environment. Trails are elevated, designed to shed water and armoured to reduce erosion. A short walk would confirm this and I have sent an open invitation to guide Councillor Crist on a tour of the trails.
Below is my correspondence with Councillor Crist (his messages in red mine in blue)
Subject: Re: Science Proves Mountain Biking Is More Harmful
Than Hiking
A MESSAGE FROM ERNIE CRIST;
The District had to spend a great deal of money and staff time to rectify the
damage done to trails by Mountain Bikers on Fromme Mountain. Numerous trees
had also been removed illegally. The same is true for illegally built structures.
All this was reported to Mayor and Council and is an indisputable fact. The
issue now is do we continue on this road with no win in sight or are we going
to review the situation and come up with solutions that spell win win.
The Mountain Bikers are on a crusade against me (Councillor Ernie Crist) for
having called for a moratorium until this question is answered and for my efforts
I have received more than my fair share of abuse from some Mountain Bikers.
But facts are stubborn things as the philosopher stated.
Below is a truly scientific analysis to what Mountain biking in forested and
steep Mountain terrain can and will do, especially if the areas are subject
to heavy rainfalls as is the case on Mount Fromme. Sent: Thursday, February
17, 2005 6:03 PM
To: Mayor and Council - DNV
Cc: James Ridge
Subject: Science Proves Mountain Biking Is More Harmful Than Hiking
Please share the following paper with all appropriate and interested parties.
Please restrict bicycles and other vehicles to pavement, where they belong and
where they can't do much harm to wildlife. Mountain biking is a very destructive
activity, and has no place in natural areas. Anyone who wants to visit nature
can already do so on foot (or via wheelchair). Mountain biking drives out all
other trail users. There is absolutely no reason to allow access by large pieces
of machinery, such as bicycles.
The Impacts of Mountain Biking on Wildlife and People -- A Review of the
Literature Michael J. Vandeman, Ph.D.
Below this was a list of studies critiqued by anti-mtb activist
Michael J. Vandeman (Ph.D.!). In the US mountain bikers
welcome his opposition because he is widely regarded as a quack. The Ph.
D he flaunts is actually in psychology. These are the sort of people Councillor
Crist is listening to.
Dear Councillor Crist,
It's interesting that you feel we are on a crusade against you. We haven't called
for a Moratorium on your activities. An impartial observer might see it differently.
That aside I have seen equally exhaustive and scientific studies that have come
up with the exact opposite conclusion. I will find the documents and forward
them to you.
I have continually asked you whether you have actually seen any of the trails
on Fromme to determine whether you have any actual experience to back up your
opinions about the effect we have on trails. Each time you avoid the issue and
take the discussion in a different direction.
I will be plain; COUNCILLOR CRIST - HAVE YOU BEEN ON ANY TRAILS ON MOUNT FROMME?
IF SO WHICH ONES? CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT YOU SAW THERE?
Without this information it would seem you know not of what you speak.
Sincerely,
Cam McRae
Dear Mr. McRae:
I don't think you should overly worry as to whether I've been on the trails
or not, or have done so often enough. Let's just say I've seen, read and heard
enough about the issue to come to an informed opinion, come up with workable
solutions and generally look beyond the end of my own and the NSMBA nose.
Let me reiterate again, trail biking on rainy Mount Fromme, with its impact
on the community, is a NO WINNER and sooner or later the exercise will come
to grief. However, you are not going to believe me anyway so the matter will
have to take its course just as it has in other jurisdictions before it sank
in and before the respective jurisdictions were compelled to take action. It
just so happens that in the District of North Vancouver they are a little slower,
a little more backward and haven't quite caught on yet, but then neither have
they caught on to other important phenomena - they are like that and just don't
know yet that the game is lost.
Thank you,
Ernie Crist
Dear Councillor Crist,
Your response leads me to believe that you haven't seen the mountain bike trails
on Fromme which makes a lot of sense. Anyone who has seen them would realize
that mountain biking can be a sustainable, low-impact activity if the trails
are built and maintained properly. You really should do your homework and have
a look at the trails before you continue to make that have no evidence to support
them. Perhaps this is what is generating the outrage you are noticing in some
letters.
Your statement that the District of North Van is 'more backward' than other
communities in terms of its approach to mountain bikers is completely false.
The more-progressive communities in B.C. who see the value of mountain biking
as an activity and recognize the positive effects it can have on the community
and the economy have been putting public funds towards trails for years.
Whistler has a crew that builds and maintains trails and communities like Squamish,
Pemberton, Kamloops and even Williams Lake are following suit. Far from being
backward, supporting outdoor activity is a progressive and beneficial trend
in civic politics in B.C.
Those of us who believe in fitness, family and outdoor fun make up an increasingly
large and vocal voting block in North Vancouver. Most of my friends live in
North Vancouver and all of them are mountain bikers. None of us lived on the
North Shore five years ago and we all chose to purchase property here because
of the mountain bike trails. I am talking about more than a hundred individuals
whom I personally know but obviously the total number is much, much higher.
What you may not realize if that mountain biking is more than a distraction
for us; it's a way of life.
I again encourage you to accept my invitation and join me on a tour of the trails
on Mount Fromme. I know you are extremely fond of the press and I'm certain
we can have several cameras and crews follow us.
Also I promised to follow-up with scientific proof that mountain biking is no
more harmful to trails than hiking or riding horseback.
This link provides ample support.
Imba environmental impact resources
Thank -you for your time,
Cam McRae
PS - you stated in the Province on Friday that most letters you have received
are 'uncivil or rude.' I have been cc'ed on many of these letters and while
I have sensed justifiable outrage in many of them none were uncivil or rude.
I'm still waiting for a reply to this one - it's been two weeks now. If you are interested in getting involved in this issue please send an email to the Mayor, Council and media addresses below.
Thanks
Cam McRae
Vancouver Sun
sunletters@png.canwest.com
Vancouver Province
provletters@png.canwest.com
North Shore News
editor@nsnews.com
Mayor
jharris@dnv.org
Council
ecrist@dnv.org
mmckeonholmes@dnv.org
lmuri@dnv.org
anixon@dnv.org
rwalton@dnv.org
jcuthbert@dnv.org
Council watchdog
fonvca@fonvca.org
