Our group recently rode a 50-kilometre circuit between Nanoose Bay and Coombs on Vancouver Island. A combination of rail trails, greenways, mountain bike routes, and back roads, we enjoyed lunch at the world famous “Goats-on-the-roof” country store by the local market. All-in-all, this was a great spring trip with good weather, but with one exception. The sole rail trail between Coombs and Parksville Stations (that parallels beside the defunct E&N spur to Port Alberni) had been over-run by ATVs, which are clearly restricted from using the trail. This is an all too common an occurrence in British Columbia.

 
Picture 1: Tread patterns left by an ATV on Coombs Rail Trail. Picture 2: Clear signs banning motorized use on that rail trail.

The BC Trails Society has taken a stance with its position statement on Motorized Off-Road Vehicles or MORVS. According to abundant referenced evidence, MORVs are unhealthy, unsafe, environmentally impactful, and heavily polluting. Despite the claims of power-sport organizations, the use of these do not bring the economic benefits claimed, since calculated figures include the purchase price of land, water, and snow machines, where most revenue goes out of province and frequently out of country.

The use of MORVs brings incompatible conflicts with non-motorized users such as hikers, bikers, and equestrians. MORV users are often unaware or uncaring of their impacts and conflicts. However, non-motorized users (over 2.67 million in BC) tend to be disrupted or displaced elsewhere, many choosing not to return. While training of 60,000 (18%) provincial MORV users is working well in established clubs represented by power-sport organizations, education is sorely lacking for the remaining 276,000 BC MORV users. Segregated outdoor recreation areas  and education for all after machine purchase are both sorely needed, so BC can once again be seen as a SuperNatural destination for eco-friendly tourists.

Please help support the BC Trails Society in its efforts to protect trails and greenways for the future use of non-motorized active transportation users by volunteering, donating, and/or becoming a member.

Written by Dr. Simon Priest, a retired professor of outdoor recreation and Director of FMCBC as well as the Trails BC Boards of Directors.