How to Save Seymour Trails? Here's How.

Since we learned of Metro Vancouver's decision to begin decommissioning several well-loved and beautifully built trails in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve (LSCR), like New Normal, Orleans, Iceland and others, there has been a little movement, but not by Metro. The nsmbA, our local advocacy organization, apologized for the way they handled the mess, without saying specifically what they were apologizing for, and have since promised to listen more to the membership and do better. We'll have to wait and see what that looks like.

There hasn't however, been any change to Metro's policy and they began decommissioning New Normal almost immediately. Why did they start with the most popular trail on their list, not to mention one that was at the top of the sustainability scale and incredibly well-maintained by dedicated volunteer builders? Based on the tone we have heard from Metro, it may have been a decision aimed at maximizing the damage to send a strong message to the community. In reality, it felt vindictive.

While it sounds like nothing positive has happened, public awareness has grown, we've had an informed and well-spoken mountain biker on CBC radio pleading our case, and we've gotten the attention of politicians, particularly those who are on the Water Committee, which oversees the LSCR.

When we first addressed this issue, I put out a call to action to mountain bikers who were unhappy with these heavy handed actions; please contact these politicians. I listed the email address of every member of the Water Committee and then, as an afterthought, I asked them to CC me. To my surprise, 22 letter writers did so,* and I was so impressed by their letters that I decided to share excerpts from some of them with you.

*This likely represents a small percentage of the actually letters written

It's important for those who oversee the LSCR realize that their actions have an impact on both the taxpayers and voters who pay their salaries, and on visitors who bring economic activity to our province. These trails are a huge community asset and destroying them using government employees does not sit well with many local constituents who use these trails.

I didn't have space to use every letter, but here is a representative selection. Every single letter was well-written, rational, thoughtful and even polite. Hats off to everyone who took the time to write. If you haven't written yet and would like to, I will put the addresses at the bottom of this article.

Full Letter

Dear Don,*

I write to you as a concerned resident who lives at the base of Mount Seymour, as a physician who cares deeply about public health and a father of three kids who love hiking and biking in the Seymour forest. 

It is disheartening to hear that the LSCR is destroying trails on our mountain. Destroying well-built trails is a waste of the taxpayer's money. These efforts are counterproductive and misguided. Most of the sanctioned trails built on Seymour over the years were built by caring and thoughtful trail builders who care about the environment and who wish to make sustainable trails that have lasted decades. The trails you have targeted are some of, if not the best on Seymour. 

It's very likely that your actions on Seymour will create environmental damage by displacing riders and encouraging them to do their work deeper in the woods. Mountain bikers who love the forest are persistent. 

I would like the LSCR to consider the following proposal. Adopt a plan for trail creation and maintenance on Mount Seymour.  Work collaboratively with the NSMBA to sanction the building of at least 1 trail per 1-2 years. Provide the licenses and oversight and let the expert trail builders create sustainable and environmentally responsible trails that the users will love. By adopting a policy such as this you focus the efforts of those who care the most about our mountain and dissuade the building of unsanctioned trails. 

Please consider this proposal. If Metro Vancouver and the LSCR does not start working productively and in good faith with those who use the mountain for recreation history will continue to repeat itself. 

Thank you for your attention. I look forward to hearing your response. 

Travis Schisler, 42, District of North Vancouver
Anaesthesiologist at Vancouver General Hospital

*Don Bell is a North Vancouver City Councillor and former Mayor.

Excerpt:

Some of the trails listed for closure, including New Normal, Orleans, and Iceland, are safe, expertly built, sustainable, and actively maintained.  These trails in no way resemble some of the trails that the North Shore was famous for 30 years ago.  Using natural geographic contours and rock, with robust consideration of adequate drainage, has replaced skinny human-built structures high in the trees.  It does not make sense to me to use public service employees to close these trails down indefinitely by effectively destroying them. Cutting cedar bridges apart and throwing the detritus into the woods with exposed nails is not helping anyone and, in my opinion, creates a safety hazard for future hikers and users of the land.  

Adrian White, New Westminster, B.C.

Excerpt:

I urge you to reconsider any plans that would jeopardize trails like New Normal, Iceland, and Orleans, which are maintained by dedicated volunteers and cherished by the community for their quality and sustainability. Preserving these trails not only respects taxpayer investment but also fosters responsible outdoor recreation that aligns with Metro Vancouver's environmental stewardship goals.

Destroying these well-built trails without consultation with the riding community is not only shortsighted but also risks exacerbating the issues it aims to solve. While I acknowledge the need to address unauthorized trail building, I believe a collaborative approach is essential. Engaging with the riding community to promote sustainable trail practices and addressing concerns through dialogue rather than unilateral action is paramount.

Ryan Lucy, Vancouver, B.C.

Excerpt: addressed to Mike Little, District of North Vancouver Mayor

It feels petty and retaliatory under the guise of 'environmental protection'. I'm not sure how chainsawing trail structures, then rolling them into the bush adjacent to the trail does anything to help the environment... Specifically NN and Iceland were two gems of trails. Iceland has been running for years and being a large part on rock and bedded in forest floor, is not hurting anybody. NN has been built to an excellent standard and is diligently upgraded and maintained by dedicated trail builders. Spending any time, effort or money destroying these trails is petty at best, but feels vindictive and malevolent. Our elected officials and governments are supposed to work for us and not the other way around.

Cameron Coatta, 43 years old, District of North Vancouver
Technical Sales Rep, Earls Industries

Excerpt: Addressed to Entire Metro Vancouver Water Board Committee

I am a City of North Vancouver resident and homeowner, as well a mountain biker, dog walker, skier and hiker on our local mountains. I'm in my 40s, and a huge part of the reason I live in North Vancouver is due to the access to nature and natural recreation. I'm writing to you today due to the recent actions Metro Vancouver has taken to 'decommission' certain trails in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve.

The stance that New Normal will never be considered for official inclusion in the trail network because it was a 'rogue trail' and only trails that are sanctioned before build will be allowed also rings a little hollow to me - as far as I'm aware, there has never been a documented case of a new trail being added this way, and there is no process described anywhere for making this happen. Existing sanctioned trails like Neds, CBC and now Cambodia have all been a result of formerly unsanctioned trails eventually being adopted into the network after decades of back-and-forth. Is it any surprise that this is seen as the de facto process?

I'd like to know why Metro is spending my tax dollars to destroy parts of the forest that I use. I'd like to see and review Metro's process for new trail builds, and see real examples of this actually being used and resulting in new trails in a reasonable timeframe. I'd like Metro to reconsider their stance of fighting their own constituents with regard to recreation in the mountains. I'd like to see a real effort to incorporate the best of these existing trails into the network - New Normal, Iceland and Orleans are probably the best examples here. I'd like to know how I can affect Metro's stance and policy towards using Metro land for recreational purposes.

Anonymous, City of North Vancouver

Excerpt:

Here’s the challenge: the current strategy feels heavy-handed and shortsighted. What if instead of using resources on destroying trails and leaving the debris scattered through the forest (curious how this can be considered an ecologically sound act itself)—Metro Van worked with the community to educate riders on sustainable practices and help mitigate unsanctioned trail-building by actually being involved in the process? Making riders allies instead of adversaries could lead to long-term solutions that align with everyone’s goals.

I’d love to hear your perspective on this. Is there a way for us to open a dialogue and find common ground? I’m confident there’s a better path forward—one that strengthens both the trails and the trust between Metro and the local community.

We just want what is fair…

Alex Cronje, 32, Vancouver, B.C.
Partnerships Manager at SOLE Footbeds

Excerpt: Addressed to Entire Metro Vancouver Water Board Committee

The reactionary and punitive nature of these trail closures does nothing to discourage trail builders, only pushes them further into the wilderness around the trail networks. Furthermore, measures taken to decommission these trails makes them more dangerous to ride for those who choose to ignore the closures. Closing trails on the basis of their unsanctioned origin is also dubious, since essentially all MTB trails in Metro Van began "unsanctioned."

The NSMBA and the mountain bike community at large is a passionate group of individuals whose primary goal is to expand and enjoy a well maintained, diverse, sustainable network of trails, something Vancouver is already internationally recognized for. With more meaningful and respectful outreach, Metro Vancouver has the opportunity to collaborate with this community to ensure trail builders are well-informed about sustainable practices. In return, these authorities have a responsibility to respect their constituents and support the responsible expansion of this network.

I hope that you and other policymakers in the region will pay closer attention to the needs of the community on this issue, and reverse the decision to decommission these invaluable trails. I hope that all concerned parties can move forward with a spirit of collaboration and mutual respect, and that the input of the trail users in question will have its value recognized.

Sincerely,
Shawn Friesen, 31, Vancouver, B.C.

Full Letter: Addressed to Burnaby Councillor Joe Keithley (formerly known as Joey Shithead, vocalist and lead guitar of the Punk Band DOA)

My name is Devin Zoller and I'm a mountain biker from the States. This morning I learned of the choice to remove mountain bike trails on Seymour Mountain and felt compelled to write and express my dismay.

These trails and the entire tourism ecosystem they create is a unique feature of the North Shore- one I've been part of since I started riding during the 90s. You have an extremely rare resource on your hands, one that people around the entire world know of and hope to ride some day. Those people fly and drive through your province and city to experience the Shore, and they spend a lot of money to do so. Hearing about this decision to remove trails in the manner you've chosen makes me question my summer plans to visit North Van with my family.

I do not dispute your right to manage land under your jurisdiction as you see fit- but removing extremely well built trails with the justification that they did were not properly applied for, while not having an actual formal process is pure Kafkaesque absurdity. While I'm obviously not a resident of Canada and can effect no true change through voting in your local elections, I can (and many other riders from the States can as well) vote with my wallet and choose to avoid your city. 

My hope is to hear that you will create a robust system that allows the passionate riding community to work with land stewards to apply for new trails and thus disincentivize unauthorized building by giving the trail builders a legitimate path forward.

I appreciate your time, 

-Devin Zoller

Devin Zoller, Portland, OR
Account Manager for Specialist Fabricating Company

Response from West Vancouver Mayor, Mark Sager

Hello Devin,

Thanks for your email and bringing this to my attention. I have asked the Metro staff for a full details. I too love the trails.

All the best

Mark  

Mark Sager

Mayor  |  District of West Vancouver

t: 604-925-7000  | westvancouver.ca

Excerpts:

While it is understandable that MetroVan would seek to leverage the NSMBA to communicate with the mountain bike community, this points to a lack broader and effective community engagement and education efforts from MetroVan, and the lack of clear and timely approval processes for new or existing trails.

Truly, the optics are not good for Metro - given the highly publicized 2.8B cost overruns  creating higher costs for local residents, and the huge economic significance of mountain biking to the North Shore, dedicating resources to destroy trails that will only increase the likelihood of injury and push unsanctioned builders to build new trails seems absurd. The demand for trails is only increasing and will continue to regardless of these types of shortsighted actions.

Rory MacLeod, 31, Public Servant, Vancouver, B.C.

Excerpts:

I last came to the North Shore in 2015 for the BC Bike race. 10 years later my kids are finally old enough for me to plan a family vacation there from California.    It kills me to read about the destruction of trails like New Normal, Iceland and Orleans, trails that are built sustainably, linking together slabs of rock.  These are the kinds of trails we want to ride when we visit and spend our tourist money in North Van vs heading up to Whistler or the famous slabs of Squamish.

Attempts at decommissioning these trails will just result in more ecosystem and watershed damage, at significant expense, while likely being quickly re-opened by the dedicated volunteer digging community. Your official stance is extremely short-sighted; "we're tearing down your trails because you didn't ask us, but you can't ask us, and even if you did, we'd say no."    To my knowledge, unsanctioned trails are the only way any trails have been added to the authorized trail network before this.

We all acknowledge that trails inexpertly scratched in with little consideration of drainage, alignment or sustainability are a problem and most riders would like to find a solution. It's possible to imagine a world where mountain bikers are partners in this effort, but it's unlikely to happen when the land manager takes hasty action with no consultation of the ridership or is completely ignorant of the difference between expertly built sustainable well-maintained trails, and trail-trash.

LCSR needs to find a way to allow well designed trails to expand on Seymour. NorthVan is the original mecca.

Anonymous, Nuclear Power Engineer/Trail Gnome, California

Excerpts:

The North Shore is an iconic cycling destination, and home to many of the original pioneers of modern mountain biking and trail building. It is a shame to see the reputation of the Shore tarnished by the recent punitive and tone-deaf actions of an unresponsive land manager (Metro Vanocuver).

Remove the red tape, and think outside the box. Squamish, Cumberland, Nelson, and many other rapidly growing BC mountain bike communities have managed trail expansion in a healthy and collaborative way, whilst also balancing ecological concerns and other land users. Why can't the North Shore (and Metro Vancouver) do the same? 

Kind regards, 

Mark Poskitt, Naniamo, Regional Manager, First Nations Health Authority

Excerpts:

I would urge you to speak on behalf of myself and the communities which live, play, build businesses and add to the economic prosperity of this region, to create a meaningful process which allows for these communities to see and feel progress with respect to the land which really belongs to all of us. 

I did not have to choose Vancouver to start a business, and it was certainly not easy to start a business in this city. I am not the only small business owner wondering why they should still live in Vancouver if the way we choose to recreate is just as difficult as the economic realities of living in the lower mainland.

I hope that my voice can be heard and that it can resonate in a way which would encourage you and your fellow board members to reconsider the actions being taken by Metro Vancouver and hopefully create some meaningful dialogue.

Thank you for the opportunity to express my concerns,

Terry Brown, Co-founder, Container Brewing, Vancouver, B.C.

Full Letter:

I am from Salt Lake City, UT, USA and come to visit Vancouver on a yearly basis to ride the trails on the North Shore. I am an advanced rider and although there are lots of technically difficult trails in the area, there are not many "sanctioned trails" that challenge me. A big reason that I enjoy coming is riding some of the "unsanctioned" trails in North and West Vancouver as they can often be much more challenging. I understand that many are built poorly and without regard for good trail building practices, but many of the ones that you have recently decommissioned were not, and are built and maintained in a much better fashion than a majority of the sanctioned trails.

I think that spending time and money on destroying these trails is a waste, and to be honest, people will likely build even more trails now. Also, using environmental concerns as the crux of your argument is so incredibly silly given the expansions approved for the ski resorts as well as the construction of expensive condos being done in the area and encroaching on forest land. Neither of these, which are significantly more environmentally impactful, seem to be an issue and I'm sure it is because of the financial side of things. I am very aware of the local history of trail building and trail destroying on the North Shore (I first visited twenty years ago as a teenager) and think that your methods are not only antiquated, but downright insulting to the local biking community.

I have decided that, because of your actions, I will no longer be coming to Vancouver and spending my money in local hotels, restaurants, businesses, etc. for my two-week trips every year. I will be patronizing communities where the local government has shown more respect to, and earnest engagement with, the bike community.

Thank you for your time in reading this.

Jon Judkins, Physician, Salt Lake City, UT

Where are We Now?

When I wrote my first article, there was an upcoming meeting of the Water Committee on the books. That meeting was cancelled. I have been trying to speak to Heidi Walsh of Metro Vancouver and was asked to submit some questions. Hopefully she will agree to have a conversation with me.

Clearly this isn't over. Any of you who feel inspired by what you've read above, we could use your support, but not just any support. I have learned a few things along the way about dealing with municipal politicians and getting their attention.

Include your age, occupation, and city of residence if you are comfortable doing so. If you would like to have your letter read, and perhaps receive a response, if possible, address your letter to a politician who governs in the community where you live. If not, choose one politician and CC the rest. Mike Little, Don Bell, or Mike Sager, who are all based on the North Shore, are excellent choices. I would also CC Heidi Walsh. If you'd like, feel free to CC me as well. I have been energized by your letters and I'm keen to read more. I will include the email addresses below.

Thanks again to everyone who has gotten involved.

West, Brad (C) – Port Coquitlam​​ email: [email protected]
Sager, Mark (VC) – West Vancouver email [email protected]
Albrecht, P​aul – Langley City email: [email protected]
Bell, Don – North Vancouver City email: [email protected]
Guichon, Alicia – Delta email: [email protected] ​
Hodge, Craig – Coquitlam email: [email protected]
Keithley, Joe – Burnab​y email: [email protected]
Little, Mike – North Vancouver District email: [email protected]
MacDonald, Nicole – Pitt Meadows email: [email protected]
Meiszner, Peter – Vancouver email: [email protected] ​
Rindt, Rob – Langley Township​ email: [email protected]
Stutt, Rob – Surrey​ email: [email protected]

Walsh, Heidi - [email protected]

For any email you send, cc [email protected]

And CC me if you'd like - [email protected]