Horse riders in Burnaby are upset about the city’s plan to pave a gravel trail for cyclists that has been used by riders and horses for over fifty years. The Burnaby Horsemen’s Association is speaking out against the move, as horses cannot safely walk on pavement without special boots and must go slowly to avoid slipping and injuring themselves. The riders argue that Burnaby Lake is the only place in the city where they are allowed to go on trail rides.
The City of Burnaby is expanding its cycling network and converting the Burnaby Lake trail into a multi-use cycle path, which has upset horse riders who feel they are being squeezed out. Plans to pave the trail are underway to make it safer and more accessible for cyclists, but horse riders are concerned about losing access to the trails they have been using for decades. Cyclists argue that the paving is necessary to create a safer route for cyclists and improve the city’s cycling infrastructure.
Cyclists like Jasper Tam are in support of the paving of the trail, as they believe it will provide a safer alternative to busy vehicle thoroughfares like Lougheed Highway. The city is also planning to build a pedestrian and cyclist overpass to connect Burnaby Lake Regional Park to the south side of the highway, further expanding the cycling network. However, horse riders feel that they and their animals are being left with limited trail options if the city goes through with paving the trails, reducing their trail capacity significantly.
