Calgary Mountain Bike Alliance - Fish Creek Open House missed the point

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Fish Creek Open House missed the point

Our followup to the November 1998 open house

Cyclists were let down by Fish Creek Open House Process

The Fish Creek issue is not dead. While the November Open Houses at Fish Creek Provincial Park were well attended, it seems much of the information gathered from valid users may not be taken into consideration by Fish Creek management.

Many of the comments brought to the attention of CMBA during this process illustrated the frustrations that plague cyclists when faced with potential trail closures.

The most frequent comments received expressed the attendee's frustrations in understanding what was being proposed in Fish Creek at all! Fish Creek presented a wall full of maps at the Open Houses. The maps were presented in a manner that made it difficult for a reasonably competent person to visualize which trails were actually slated for closure. How can an "Open House" possibly expect to gather accurate public feedback on these proposed closures when there are no maps clearly identifying which trails are to be closed?

West-end trail closures are being recommended without valid reasons. Fish Creek has repeatedly alluded to "safety concerns" but has presented no supporting evidence of specific safety concerns in Fish Creek or provided a satisfactory definition of what a valid "safety concern" might be.

A "filter system" was developed by Fish Creek as a means of EVALUATING trails. It seems this evaluation tool has become the sole decisional factor in determining whether a trail will remain open or closed. This violates the Terms of Reference agreed to by all of the Fish Creek Undesignated Trails Committee members when this whole process began. CMBA is a member of this committee but we are a minority and do not have sufficient representation to influence the voice of the committee with anything other than sound rational argument.

Fish Creek recommends the closure of trails exceeding 25% (14 degrees) to ALL USERS. This is not steep! My mother rides steeper stuff than this and she lives in Saskatchewan! The Fish Creek Undesignated Trails Committee, as a whole, supports this recommendation. The Calgary Mountain Bike Alliance, as a member of this Committee, dissents and opposes this recommendation vehemently.

CMBA recognizes that our membership contains a wide variety of cyclists with varying abilities and we recognize that some cyclists want to ride where others might not want to... specifically, we heard a lot of complaints from cyclists who enjoy the challenge of riding the steep escarpment trails of Fish Creek and they were very afraid that their favourite trails were going to be closed.

CMBA has taken the position that we can live with 40% or 22 degrees. CMBA has taken this position because these slopes can be climbed and descended without causing significant environmental damage. Skidding tires can be perceived as riding out of control. Out of control riding and opens the door to safety and environmental criticisms. We feel that these are terms that can be accepted and applied in Fish Creek given the opportunity to participate in a fair forum.

Fish Creek was clear that the biggest concern in the park is trail-user conflict... IE. hiker/biker/dog-walker/horse type conflict. Their solution? Close trails and congest the area even more. Hello??????

Perhaps the most disturbing fall-out from the "Open House" are comments from Fish Creek management that some of the comments received did not directly relate to the SPECIFIC questions (all four of them) that were on the Open House questionnaire. As a result, the unsolicited comments may not be taken back to the Undesignated Trails Committee for consideration. The cycling community should take offence to this. We came out in droves to provide honest feedback on actions that will very much affect our recreational pursuits but because the questionnaire was narrow in scope, our voice may not be heard. They didn't ask enough questions... and the questions they asked were biased.

CMBA wants the process to start over from square one. We want closures to be based on science not on "safety concerns" or at the whim of other user groups. There was inadequate disclosure as to the dates and locations of the Open Houses and the information presented there was inadequately presented by Fish Creek. Comments gathered at the Open Houses may or may not be taken back to the committee because they did not adhere to Fish Creek's pre-formatted and inadequate facilitation. Advertise this thing and let's get a public forum going on it! Let public opinion shape the future of Fish Creek!

The only thing we've agreed on with Fish Creek is the EVALUATION TOOL... let's get all users together (not just selected "user groups" to agree on the CLOSURE TOOL!!

CMBA will endeavour to help get YOUR concerns to the committee. Email us at info@cmbalink.com ... we'll get you the questionnaire and help you get it to Fish Creek. You may agree with CMBA's position as it relates to Fish Creek or you may not. Regardless, you have an opinion so why not take a stand? This policy could pave the way for closures in K Country, in Calgary and in national Parks. Get involved! What have you done for YOUR trails lately?