Trail builders across British Columbia are picking up shovels and saws at a breakneck pace these days, which means greater opportunity for mountain bikers of all disciplines. However, the approach to where and how to develop trails diverges greatly. There are also more illegal mountain bike trails with significant stunt (“technical trail features†or TTFs) and jump features than ever before, pushing the sport to new heights, literally. However, the risk associated with these trails is significant to the builders, riders and those responsible for managing public lands.
In part one of this series we examined the new draft BC Trails Strategy. John Hawking, BC trails manager for the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts – the ministry now responsible for trail maintenance, development and promotion in British Columbia – explained how the new trail strategy originated, the process of public consultation, the key areas of concern and focus moving forward and the implementation of the strategy in the months and years ahead.