Trail Crisis on Vancouver Island

The South Island Mountain Bike Society (SIMBS), maintains a partnership agreement with the Capital Regional District (CRD) to build and maintain the mountain bike trail system in Mt. Work Hartland Regional Park. This agreement has been very successful and, SIMBS was in a position where other agreements were coming together. This would have greatly expanded the amount of legal/sanctioned riding areas on Vancouver Island. Unfortunately, this has all come to a grinding halt.Photo by James Brown

On March 26, 2005, the $5 million general liability insurance policy held by SIMBS ran out and there are no other insurance companies we can turn to. Most don't want to cover us and those who do want big time cash. As part of our partnership agreement with the CRD, we are required to have this liability insurance.

This is an issue that numerous jurisdictions across Canada are facing. If we don't act now, mountain biking trails will become an endangered species.

Photo by Russ Campbell

Photo by James Brown

For those who live on Vancouver Island, you can help by joining SIMBS.


If you are a member of a mountain bike society or association, it's time we all organized and linked the numerous mountain bikers across this country. The more of us there are, the louder our voice.