A residents’ association claims dirt bikers and ATVers are ripping up and devastating wilderness in a West Kelowna neighbourhood.
The West Kelowna Residents’ Association has compiled a video to show what they believe is a growing problem in the Smith Creek area.
The video shows dirt bikers and ATVers tearing their way through a creek.
Mike Trenn with the residents’ association says riders are eroding land around the creek and creating fire hazard risks.
Some of the area in question is parkland but the majority is private property. Some riders are ignoring signs saying stay out and pushing through or going around barricades and fences.
“They just don’t have respect for people’s property rights,” Trenn said.
He believes the irresponsible riders must be reined in.
“We have lots of regulations. Unfortunately we don’t have enforcement to go with it. There are enforcement possibilities here for sure,” Trenn said.
After viewing the video, West Kelowna mayor Dough Findlater says the riders must stop.
“We are appalled at the degradation,” he said.
The district is asking the private property owner to bolster the compromised fencing and it will do the same for district property. It is also asking the provincial government to expedite the licensing of motorized off-road vehicles.
“This is the key to managing road vehicles, getting them licensed so there can be consequences,” Findlater said.
The Okanagan Trail Riders Association says it is a typical case of a few bad apples.
“People need to ride responsibility. We have all seen small groups that abuse things and they spoil it unfortunately for everybody. We would like to be able to potentially mediate,” said Jacques Ledoux with the Okanagan Trail Riders Association.
Trenn says Smith Creek is not the only area of concern. He says irresponsible riders are doing damage in several other wilderness sites in West Kelowna.
Nearby Bear Creek Valley is sanctioned for off-roaders and contains properly constructed trails and stream crossings.
Watch the video created by the West Kelowna Residents’ Association below:
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