Editor:
Buckle up and hold on – here are some facts for readers.
In response to those wanting to close the Bow Valley Parkway – recognized as Banff’s Heritage Drive by Parks Canada – closing the Parkway for bikes simply took advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic and will eventually lead to permanent closure if you the intelligent, conservational, and mindful reader don’t take a stand and let your voice be known to Parks Canada that it is unacceptable and draconian.
It violates all five of Parks Canada’s priorities: conservation (presenting cultural heritage); connecting Canadians; visitor experience; accessibility; diversity and inclusion. It also forces most visitors to traverse an extra 26 kilometres to get to and from Johnston Canyon.
The March 1 to June 25 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. closure is completely invalid and absent of sound science. There was never a problem with vehicles from dusk to dawn averaging less than four vehicles per hour compared to 22 to 42 – 100 train cars daily travelling adjacent, according to information previously presented by Parks Canada staff. It is an impaired ideology these traffic numbers negatively affect wildlife.
Why not provide sound inclusive visitor opportunities that align with Parks Canada's mandate so that the valued visitors can assist Parks Canada? After all, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change has been instructed to invest in the national parks with more Canadians visiting not restricting, suffocating park priorities, and confusing travellers with erratic policies.
Only 16 per cent of Canadians ride bicycles once a week. There are more than 190 kilometres of biking routes available in Banff Park and 97 per cent of Banff National Park is wilderness.
Wildlife mortality has not been and is not a problem on the Parkway. Fencing on the Trans-Canada Highway has reduced vehicle collisions with wildlife by up to 96 per cent. Grizzly bears, the indicator species, population has been stable for 10 years.
Conflating the trains and Trans-Canada Highway mortalities with the Parkway is pure fabrication. Share the road signs for all visitors are posted on the Parkway. Needless restrictions can create public resentment towards bicyclists.
Bottom line, in Parks Canada’s own words “Allowing everyone to access our destinations and participate in our activities”.
P.S. I ride a bike.
Max Barnes,
Banff
