The Capital Regional District has signed a licence agreement with Sooke Bike Club to maintain existing authorized mountain bike trails in Sea to Sea Regional Park.
The CRD said the deal will foster quality mountain-biking experiences in the Sooke Hills.
“The licence agreement aligns with the new mountain-biking guidelines which recognize that mountain-biking groups play a key role in championing etiquette and sanctioned trails and monitoring and advocating for safe and quality experiences,” the CRD said.
The guidelines were developed with advice and guidance of a mountain-biking advisory committee, which advocated for increased community involvement.
Sooke Bike Club, which has had a long association with Sea to Sea Regional Park, is a non-profit organization with a mandate to promote cycling and mountain biking in the community through fun events and the expansion and maintenance of trail networks.
Sea to Sea Regional Park is the second largest CRD Regional Park at 4,000 hectares. Mount Manuel Quimper, within the park, has biking trails ranging from easy to extremely difficult.
The trails take advantage of natural rock formations which create technical features, from drops to jumps. Although some trails are mountain biking only, much of the 57-kilometre network of trails is shared with hikers and equestrians.
The CRD said any work done under the licence agreement will align with the existing park management plan, honour land covenants and protect park values. Improved and monitored trails will help mitigate environmental impacts, it said.
