Implications and Possible Solutions for Mountain Bike Trails in Kokanee Creek Provincial Park

The popularity of mountain bike riding has been steadily increasing since the introduction of the mountain bike in the 1980's. With the introduction of a sport such as mountain biking, controversy usually follows. In the case of mountain bikes, the main issue of controversy is the building of illegal trails on private and public lands. Land managers are now faced with new sets of concerns such as liability, public safety, and environmental impacts. These new concerns are issues that the managers of Kokanee Creek Provincial Park are being faced with in regards to two mountain bike trails that run through sections of the park. Kokanee Creek Provincial Park is located nineteen kilometers Northeast of the city of Nelson on highway 3A. The park was established in 1955 and is two hundred and sixty hectares in size. It offers front country camping opportunities along with easy access to moderate hiking and walking trails. The park is a popular destination for campers and outdoor recreation enthusiasts from around the world, as well as being a popular recreation area for locals.