I read the story about the youth that ran into the barricade and I wondered what would have happened if there had been a person standing there who did not get out of his way.
There are many hikers in this same area who fear such riders because they do not see what is on the trail.
There is a reason for the trails being posted as “no motorized vehicles allowed” and because there are youth who cannot read or cannot do what is asked of them, the barricades have to be erected so hikers have a right to some degree of safety while they use the area.
We are a fortunate people in this city as we are allowed to ride motor bikes, ATVs, and snowmobiles within the city limits (thanks to the hard work of the Klondike Snowmobile Association) and, though these machines should have a licence, many of them do not.
The snowmobile association has worked hard to establish “out and away” trails so people who love this sport can hop on their vehicle in their backyard and ride into the wilderness. We are the only city in Canada that gives such a privilege, and if the owners and operators do not start using only the “out and away trails” to travel within the city, the outcome will be that this privilege will be revoked. Many people would like to stop the privilege of allowing these motorized toys in the city. I warn you the outcry has begun.
The operators of these toys are ruining the only wildlife habitat in the city and the only place people can go to watch the birds and beavers quietly - until a motorbike roars by and scares them all away. This area used to be a great area to watch the flowers bloom, but that is disappearing at a fast rate, being demolished by the screaming tires of these horrible, noisy machines.
Riding through the creek is killing the fish eggs and fry before they are big enough for people to cast a line to catch them. The silt you stir up while you are having fun smothers the fish that could be caught by a youth in a year or two.
You have the motors and the gas to get farther away from the city to enjoy your sport than we who prefer to walk or fish, bird watch or photograph flowers.
Can you not use the “out and away” trails only and leave the rest for us to enjoy?
Would you please share the wilderness in the city that we are so privileged to keep.
Please keep this city beautiful and safe and let it remain a wilderness city.
Dorothy Bradley
Whitehorse