Compromise and camaraderie have eased tensions between 樱桃视频mountain bikers and dirtbikers, and money raised through an upcoming 樱桃视频Dirtbikers Association fundraiser will help to further resolve land use issues, said spokesperson Blaine Schuttler.
The association will hold a fundraising barbecue Saturday (July 9) to pay for signs it plans to post at trailheads to ward off dirtbikers.
"It's a voluntary signage that we want to start doing on certain trails that we know are problematic," said Schuttler. "We want to do a lot of the education and enforcement through peer pressure versus a bylaw drawn up that just bans everybody from everywhere."
The association was formed eight weeks ago as a reaction to a proposed bylaw that would eliminate dirtbiking in the District of Squamish. At first antagonistic, the relationship between conflicting user groups has improved tremendously as more and more members join the dirtbikers.
"Our club helped out and volunteered to assist with parking at the Test of Metal so we've definitely had some interaction with the group that's been positive," said Schuttler.
The association has met with mountain bike group SORCA as well as the district, the Trail Society and Parks and Recreation authorities to identify areas appropriate for multi-use purposes. And the formerly conflicting trail users have also been invited to the barbecue. But the group's motivation remains the same: to protect the right to ride.
"Congratulations, all your hard work has paid off!" states the association website. "The bylaw has been put on hold and we have a voice, but don't let your guard down. Keep those letters and complaints coming into the District."
In the eight weeks since the association was formed, 69 members from Squamish, Whistler and the Lower Mainland have joined the cause, and the association has spread the notion of safe family fun with a focus on trail maintenance. The website includes the best riding locations on old and new logging roads from Shannon Falls to Ashlu River.
"If you give people a place to ride, especially the younger people, it takes the pressure off other areas immediately," said Schuttler. "It's kind of like a skateboard park, it pulls them away from in front of the 7-11."
Future donations to the association, Schuttler said, will be used to build a motorcross track.
The barbecue will be held at 38581 Westway Ave. from 3 to 9 p.m. The cost is $5 for kids and $10 for adults.
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