February 14/05 12:47 pm - IMBA Ontario News: Ontario Trails Strategy

Posted by Editoress on 02/14/05
 

IMBA Ontario News

Ontario Trails Strategy - Regional Meetings

In early December 2004, the Ontario government (through the Ministry of Tourism and Recreation) created a Minister's Advisory Committee on Trails to provide advice on the development of an Ontario Trails Strategy. Background:

http://ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/GPOE/2004/12/06/c1990.html?lmatch=&lang=_e.h tml

Since then, nine stakeholder workshops were conducted to gather feedback from prominent trail user organizations throughout the province, as well as members outside the trails community.

IMBA was present at two of these meetings, and had some serious concerns:
• Of the 19 groups appointed to the Minister's Advisory Committee on Trails, none represented cycling of any kind.
• Of the 9 topics covered at the stakeholder workshops, none addressed the need for trail construction standards. No emphasis was placed on environmental and social sustainability of trails
• The process is happening far too fast, with very little opportunity for public comment.

We think cycling groups (especially IMBA-affiliated clubs that have a strong involvement with trails) should be represented in the Draft Ontario Trails Strategy. Here is your opportunity to get involved:

The outcomes of the nine stakeholder workshops have been incorporated into a draft document to be discussed at Regional Consultations in the coming weeks. The purpose of the Regional Consultations is to gather input from local and regional trail groups and other stakeholders affected by trails.

The dates of the Regional Consultations are below:

Chatham: February 15, 2005 (Tues)
Woodstock: February 16, 2005 (Wed)
St. Catharines: February 17, 2005 (Thurs)
Hanover: February 21, 2005 (Mon)
Barrie: February 22, 2005 (Tues)
Peterborough: February 23, 2005 (Wed)
Kingston: February 24, 2005 (Thurs)
Ottawa: February 25, 2005 (Fri)
Thunder Bay: February 28, 2005 (Mon)
Sault Ste. Marie: March 1, 2005 (Tues)
Timmins: March 2, 2005 (Wed)
Sudbury: March 3, 2005 (Thurs)
Toronto: March 7, 2005 (Mon)

PLEASE NOTE: Attendance at the Regional Consultations is by INVITE ONLY. If you think your trail user group should be represented, make sure to CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MTR OFFICE and ask to be involved! Regional offices can be found using the link below:

www.tourism.gov.on.ca/english/about/regional.htm

If you have any further questions about the Ontario Trails Strategy and the upcoming meetings, please direct them to Southwestern Ontario IMBA Rep, Igor Hoogendoorn: ihoogendoorn@hotmail.com
519-831-8634

Results from the Regional Consultations will be posted on the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) Registry for public input:

www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/env_reg/ebr/english


IMBA Canada at Toronto International Bicycle Show

Visit the IMBA Canada booth at the Toronto International Bicycle Show, March 4-6, at the National Trade Centre, Toronto. Join IMBA for only $20 and get a free IMBA calendar, bike pump, or socks! For the show schedule and directions, visit: http://www.telsec.net/bicycleshow/


National Capital Reps

The dynamic duo of Dominique Larocque and Steve Kiernan have recently joined us as IMBA's National Capital Reps. Dom and Steve will be working with a team of mountain bike advocates to improve opportunities for mountain biking in the Ottawa Region. Would you like to be involved? Contact:

Dominique Larocque and Steve Kiernan - National Capital Reps
creativewheel@sympatico.ca or kadi@sympatico.ca - 613-820-1919


IMBA Canada's Newest Member Bicycle Retailer

Please welcome IMBA Canada's newest member bicycle retailer, Fresh Air Experience, in Thunder Bay! With another location in Ottawa, this is the second Fresh Air Experience to join. IMBA-affiliated shops are committed to creating a better future for our sport. Please support them! To learn more about this shop, visit: www.freshairexp.com

To join as an IMBA bicycle retailer, contact canada@imba.com or visit: www.imba.com/canada/membership


   IMBA Ontario News

Ontario Trails Strategy - Regional Meetings

In early December 2004, the Ontario government (through the Ministry of Tourism and Recreation) created a Minister's Advisory Committee on Trails to provide advice on the development of an Ontario Trails Strategy. Background:

http://ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/GPOE/2004/12/06/c1990.html?lmatch=&lang=_e.h tml

Since then, nine stakeholder workshops were conducted to gather feedback from prominent trail user organizations throughout the province, as well as members outside the trails community.

IMBA was present at two of these meetings, and had some serious concerns:
• Of the 19 groups appointed to the Minister's Advisory Committee on Trails, none represented cycling of any kind.
• Of the 9 topics covered at the stakeholder workshops, none addressed the need for trail construction standards. No emphasis was placed on environmental and social sustainability of trails
• The process is happening far too fast, with very little opportunity for public comment.

We think cycling groups (especially IMBA-affiliated clubs that have a strong involvement with trails) should be represented in the Draft Ontario Trails Strategy. Here is your opportunity to get involved:

The outcomes of the nine stakeholder workshops have been incorporated into a draft document to be discussed at Regional Consultations in the coming weeks. The purpose of the Regional Consultations is to gather input from local and regional trail groups and other stakeholders affected by trails.

The dates of the Regional Consultations are below:

Chatham: February 15, 2005 (Tues)
Woodstock: February 16, 2005 (Wed)
St. Catharines: February 17, 2005 (Thurs)
Hanover: February 21, 2005 (Mon)
Barrie: February 22, 2005 (Tues)
Peterborough: February 23, 2005 (Wed)
Kingston: February 24, 2005 (Thurs)
Ottawa: February 25, 2005 (Fri)
Thunder Bay: February 28, 2005 (Mon)
Sault Ste. Marie: March 1, 2005 (Tues)
Timmins: March 2, 2005 (Wed)
Sudbury: March 3, 2005 (Thurs)
Toronto: March 7, 2005 (Mon)

PLEASE NOTE: Attendance at the Regional Consultations is by INVITE ONLY. If you think your trail user group should be represented, make sure to CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MTR OFFICE and ask to be involved! Regional offices can be found using the link below:

www.tourism.gov.on.ca/english/about/regional.htm

If you have any further questions about the Ontario Trails Strategy and the upcoming meetings, please direct them to Southwestern Ontario IMBA Rep, Igor Hoogendoorn: ihoogendoorn@hotmail.com
519-831-8634

Results from the Regional Consultations will be posted on the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) Registry for public input:

www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/env_reg/ebr/english


IMBA Canada at Toronto International Bicycle Show

Visit the IMBA Canada booth at the Toronto International Bicycle Show, March 4-6, at the National Trade Centre, Toronto. Join IMBA for only $20 and get a free IMBA calendar, bike pump, or socks! For the show schedule and directions, visit: http://www.telsec.net/bicycleshow/


National Capital Reps

The dynamic duo of Dominique Larocque and Steve Kiernan have recently joined us as IMBA's National Capital Reps. Dom and Steve will be working with a team of mountain bike advocates to improve opportunities for mountain biking in the Ottawa Region. Would you like to be involved? Contact:

Dominique Larocque and Steve Kiernan - National Capital Reps
creativewheel@sympatico.ca or kadi@sympatico.ca - 613-820-1919


IMBA Canada's Newest Member Bicycle Retailer

Please welcome IMBA Canada's newest member bicycle retailer, Fresh Air Experience, in Thunder Bay! With another location in Ottawa, this is the second Fresh Air Experience to join. IMBA-affiliated shops are committed to creating a better future for our sport. Please support them! To learn more about this shop, visit: www.freshairexp.com

To join as an IMBA bicycle retailer, contact canada@imba.com or visit: www.imba.com/canada/membership