Outlook Article on last Monday's Council Meeting

[Sharon]

to see the article and provide feedback (like why the mountain bikers perspective wasn't included... ) go here ->
http://www.northshoreoutlook.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=43&cat=23&id=198898&more=

Bike racks outside North Vancouver District city hall were packed Monday night as hundreds of local riders arrived to urge councillors not to ban mountain biking from local trails.
Coun. Ernie Crist wasn't surprised by the standing room-only crowd of bikers inside district chambers who wanted to have their voices heard the debate over mountain biking on the North Shore.
"All weekend I was on the computer responding to emails."
The wheels started turning after Crist requested staff to provide an update on the "strategic plan" being undertaken to determine the future of mountain biking in the district.
Crist says he's not against mountain biking, but believes bike trails should be moved away from district parks and residential areas to GVRD or provincial lands.
When the mountain biking issue was dealt with by council last year it was with the understanding it was temporary solution, he says. "There is an inherent and irreconcilable conflict between this sport and the pedestrian use of district parks."
Last June, the district tried to assuage Upper Lynn Valley residents' concerns over parking issues and the rude behavior of bikers by implementing a pilot Residents Only Parking (RPO) program.
One area resident said that the parking problem has only shifted south a few blocks.
Crist's motion concluded: "In the meantime, complaints and concerns of residents impacted by mountain biking are on the rise and have led to serious deterioration of district parks in affected areas."
And while Crist is upset that the deadline for the study keeps getting pushed back the reports' authors say it requires considerable consultation and background research. Later this month a series of focus groups meetings and workshops are planned to to help determine the long-term recreational uses of the alpine area across the district. The strategic plan will be completed by the end of 2004. t

We need to keep involved in this process to ensure the future of our trails. This is our opportunity to direct mountain biking on the North Shore.

I need to know who would like to be involved with this.

PM me your email and I'll let you know how you can help.

Thanks!

[Zaskar]

i wouldnt mind helping out a bit.

[bygdaug]

I think what you may want to do at some point is to try and see if there is any tourist revenue associated with the North Shore and areas similiar.
I for one plan on coming out there late this summer, cost for accomodations, meals etc for myself and three buds is at least $500.00 a day, and thats not including anything else we may do, entertainment, parts, etc.
Thats a considerable amount of $$ if there are in fact a lot of people from out of the area coming to ride the North Shore as we are.
Money speaks volumes to these politicians, i wish you all out there the best of luck.
I only wish there was something I could do.

[Geddy]

Some more reasons to keep fromme:

1.I spend money – every time I come over to North Vancouver (weekly) I create business. I buy gas, I go to the bike shops and I eat out.
2.I have met people from all over the world riding Fromme (Swiss, Americans, Canadians, British). By discouraging riding the area is loosing so much in tourist revenue. People don’t travel to North Vancouver as a hiking destination. But, they certainly do for biking.
3.Mountain bikers build trails that are environmentally sensitive. There are so many bikers that spend their free time building and maintaining trails. They do this so bikers and hikers can use the trail. It would be interesting to know how many volunteer hours that hikers put into maintaining trails.
4.Promoting healthy living by encouraging bike riding. As we all know the health system is in crisis. But, exercise prevents illness.
5.The Olympics are coming to town. I think the last thing we want is to be seen as is unfriendly to sport.
6.Employment – there are many people who live on the North Shore who are directly employed by the mountain bike industry. Bikes shops like: Cove Cycle and John Henry. And there are bike companies that are based in the lower mainland that prosper and hire local people because of those who buy bikes. For example: Rocky Mountain bikes, Cove Bikes, Brodie bikes, Banshee bikes, Norco Bikes and DeKerf bikes. These are all local business that depend on local riders. If we don’t buy their products the effects on the economy are dramatic.
7.Becos, you want to promote equal access to the trails.

[aShogunNamedMarcus]

I'll do what I can. Just need to what options are available.

[the ridiculator]

id like to help but how much of a time commitment would i be looking at?
as of now im working 35 hours a week plus im in grade 12. not much space in my schedule these days