January 2025
Policy on Unsanctioned Trails
The NSMBA advocates for the mountain bike community of the North Shore, seeking approvals for the construction and maintenance of a trail network that aligns with our mission of Trails for All, Trails Forever. Unsanctioned trails can significantly impact our ongoing advocacy work while having a significant environmental impact.
The proliferation of unauthorized trails represents one of the region’s most significant challenges to mountain biking. On lands where the NSMBA has formal agreements with Land Managers, unauthorized trail or feature construction creates numerous issues, such as:
- Hindering the NSMBA’s ability to maintain existing trails
- Jeopardizes the approval of future projects.
- Threaten the integrity of the original trail and compromise its environmental stability.
- Habitat fragmentation, erosion, soil compaction and increased sedimentation in local waterways
Over the past 15 years—most recently in 2021—Land Managers overseeing Mount Fromme, Mount Seymour, and Cypress Mountain have formally recognized mountain biking. During this time, they evaluated the existing network of trails (primarily built before this recognition) and established a classification system to legitimize these trails for mountain biking. This process has enabled the NSMBA to perform authorized trail work on land managed by the District of North Vancouver, Metro Vancouver (LSCR), Recreation Sites and Trails BC, District of West Vancouver and BC Parks. In recent years, we’ve been working closely with our Land Managers as they formalize new processes and policies around shared outdoor recreation on the lands they manage.
The NSMBA acknowledges that many builders operate outside the organization, often driven by frustration or a desire for more diverse trail experiences. However, the organization encourages all builders to work within the established systems. NSMBA is committed to fostering respectful dialogue with independent builders and, when possible, supporting those seeking to conduct permitted work.
The NSMBA submits work plans to Land Managers to request annual authorization for trail maintenance, improvements, and new projects. Once approved, the organization receives permits to proceed. Ultimately, all work is subject to the approval of the respective Land Manager.
If you would like to learn more about the agreements or trail policies/processes in place with our various Land Managers, we encourage you to contact info@nsmba.ca .