Mountain Biking group meeting with La Societe
THE Guernsey Mountain Biking Association is meeting with La Societe Guernesiaise to discuss concerns over the environmental impact of a night-time mountain bike trial.
It was announced last week that GMBA had been allowed to do a four-month trial to use two sections of cliff path in St Peter’s and Torteval for night-time mountain biking, more than a decade after first seeking permission.
GMBA secretary Mark Smith said that he had reached out to La Societe president Trevor Bourgaize yesterday after he had questioned the negative impact the activity would have on fauna and flora in the Guernsey Press.
Mr Smith said the GMBA and its members fully understood the sensitive issues around the trial and would work with La Societe to reduce any potential impact.
‘After reading the negative comments, especially with regard to wildlife, we thought it would be important to meet to see where these concerns could be mitigated,’ he said.
‘The vast majority of mountain bikers are nature lovers too. It is all about finding a balance. The last thing we want to do is have a negative impact.’
Mr Bourgaize welcomed the chance to discuss the issues in person.
‘It will be useful to meet on site, as we have so far had no dialogue with the association,’ he said.
‘We had not been consulted before by ACLMS and have sent our considerations to Environment & Infrastructure.’
The trial, which allows use of the paths between 6pm and 5.30am from 30 November to 29 March, has caused fierce debate on the island, especially online. Mr Smith said he was not entirely surprised, as it was an emotive topic.
‘But please remember it is a trial and if there is negative impact ACLMS are well within their rights not to allow us to continue,’ he said.
‘Conversely if we can address concerns, they may allow further use.’
Mr Bourgaize had raised particular concerns on the impact that night cycling would have on three of the island's owl species which feed at dawn and dusk in the surrounding area.
Mr Smith said the association would have preferred to be using the paths during the day.
‘Ideally we would be using the paths in the daylight, but the reason for the night time use is to avoid interactions with walkers,’ he said.
He wanted to remind those concerned that the cliff path trial was confined strictly to members who have a specific licence.
‘We have issued just 53 licences to members,’ he said.
‘The use of the paths will be very sporadic and mostly confined to the early evening.’
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