Motorbikes ripping up new Bonshaw trails, says Cycling PEI

Cycling PEI is urging dirt bikers to stay off the new trails in Bonshaw Provincial Park.

• Expanded trails, new playground coming to Bonshaw Hills Provincial Park

When the trails first opened last year, officials noticed only a few motorized dirt bikes sneaking onto the biking and hiking trails.

Last week, a cyclist caught three teens on dirt bikes, and escorted them out. Mike Connolly of Cycling PEI said the teens said they were lost.

"Not sure if they were lost or not, but the point is that they were in there, and they did significant damage," said Connolly.

"If they're doing a climb, they have the throttle open and they're spinning as they go up. A lot of soil is removed, a lot of roots are exposed, and it only takes them going up there so many times before the damage is done. There's a lot of money going into that trail and if motorized vehicles get in there, that money will be for naught because it will only take a month and those trails will be ruined."

Connolly said Cycling PEI doesn't want to alienate the dirt bikers. In fact, he said he'd like to work with them to find an alternate place to ride.

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