It seems to me that the cause of off-road access for the public is at a teetering point right now. It also seems like a lot of people are holding their breath to see how things will pan out. I don't think that new ground is ever covered if people just Wait And See.

On southern Vancouver Island, the population is blessed with a multitude of options when it comes to 'getting away from it all'. We have access to lots of islands nearby, a wealth of parklands, and huge chunks of privately owned, undeveloped and unchecked land, all within easy distance from the most populated city on this beautiful chunk of rock reclining majestically off the coast of Canada.

People can access most of these areas by foot. Hiking is legal almost everywhere. Mountain biking is not there yet, and may not be appropriate everywhere, but there is no good reason why there shouldn't be more places to ride. Some of the reasons used against more mountain biking access are these:

1. Mountain bikers are destructive in a natural environment!
Response: "Who isn't? Besides, if trails are built properly and maintained appropriately then people will stay on them, and our impacts will be manageable. We cut down protected species and totally reinvent natural environments when money's waved at our noses, don't we?"

2. Mountain bikers are dangerous to other trail users!
Response: "Who isn't? Besides, if trails are divvied up properly, and built properly and people get used to each others' presence out there, then problems will be few and far between. We let idiots drive, don't we?''

3. Mountain bikers pose significant risk for land owners, liability-wise!
Response: "Who doesn't? I've never heard of a mountain biker pursuing litigation in Canada. Besides, The Landowners' Liability Act of 1998 puts the risk on the recreational users' shoulders while protecting landowners. We sue because the coffee was too hot, don't we?"

The only real park open to those who like to experience singletrack in the outdoors on a bicycle is Mt. Work/Hartland. Of all the parks available to the public around here, one is set aside specifically for mountain bikers. Unfortunately, this is proving to be not quite enough. The marked growth in the numbers of riders is making Hartland look too small. Many riders want more variety, and SIMBS is ready to step up to the plate and take on a second park. We've definitely got a lot of experience to fall back on. But it's still more than other places have. Dedicated mountain bike parks are not common anywhere else, but that doesn't mean we should wait around staring at the clouds. We need to speak up, to our politicians and to the media. One letter from you can help make a difference.

Outdoor enthusiasts, and especially trail users, need to recognize that we all have similar, and ideally complementary, goals. We all have to answer to the usual questions regarding the legitimacy of the activities we pursue. We are all required more and more these days to speak up because less and less is available. If we're called upon, and we don't answer back, what do you think happens? We get overlooked. Those asking questions get offended. It's up to us to educate the world about what we do and why it's a good thing to do.

We can't rely on anyone else to look out for us. But I think that it's appropriate to ask for help. In that vein, I urge all of you folks to please make an effort to make connections with other trail users. Just say hello and be pleasant to them. It's SIMBS job to do the formal politics. You should make it your job to recognize your importance in terms of personal politics. Be a diplomat. Spread the good word. Show others that we're just the same as them and have a right to be there, just as they do. Be respectful and patient. And for cryin out loud, join SIMBS! It's the least you can do!

• March 28, 2002