I have had a great conversation with Terry Burke of the Okanagan Trail Riders Association. This group is a local motor cycle enthusiasts dedicated to protecting their right to ride within the Okanagan. We discussed the situation on McDougall Rim and I have now been made aware that this trail falls within the Bear Creek Motorized Recreation Area that this club manages and has fought to protect.
Terry provided me with a great deal of background on the club, its projects (which are extensive) and its struggles with disrespectful trail users from all user groups. Terry made it clear that other user groups are welcome in the area that they maintain as long as it is clear that his group and members are the stewards of the area. I made it clear that the intention of the Mountain Bikers of The Central Okanagan club (MTBco) is to respect this fact and offer our assistance in the care of the McDougall Rim Trail. We both agree that proper signage is a good way to deal with trail misuse and abuse. The Okanagan Trail Riders have plans in to improve the trail head area and include signage providing information on proper trail etiquette, safety and use. Possible future signage could include notices at the entrance to the single track area of McDougall Rim informing ATV riders that the trail is singletrack from this point and not suitable or intended for ATV use.
I made it clear to Terry that MTBco has expressed the importance of including all user groups and clubs in the overall mountain bike strategy being undertaken by The City of Kelowna, Regional District and BC Parks. This is especially important when the strategy begins looking at regional areas and issues in detail. After all, MTBco is a mountain bike club but we are really trail advocates in a broader sense. This discussion with Terry has reinforced this need in my mind. The Okanagan Trail Riders Association and all other trial user groups share areas and face similar issues that threaten these areas. With each of our groups maintaining communication and working together when needed it should strengthen our position when looking to the province, regional district and city for support and funding for our sports.
I must admit that I was very angry upon first hearing the news about McDougall Rim from Stu but my initial thought was that it is always a few individuals that create conflicts and problems for the majority of us who respect our trails and other users. Speaking with Terry has reinforced this. I look forward to keeping in touch with The Okanagan Trail Riders and other areas user groups and thank Terry for taking the time to give me a call to discuss the McDougall area.
As an MTBco director I am posting this update on the club site so that our membership is aware of the way the McDougall area is designated and managed. I want our member to be aware of the fact that the area is a motorized recreational zone and that many of these riders, like us, respect the area. Misuse by a select few can be dealt with by confronting the individuals (only if safe) or reporting any incidents to MTBco or The Okanagan Trail Riders Association as both groups agree that we should be able to manage issues such as this between ourselves.
Hopefully future discussions will take place between MTBco and the local ATV club(s) as well.
Thank you,
http://www.okanagantrailriders.com/maps/riding_area_with_rmz_overlay.htm
Mike Kittmer
xc/All Mountain Director
MTBco
