Whitehorse council bans motorized use of Whistle Bend trail

Whitehorse city council has banned motorized vehicles on a perimeter trail that surrounds the Whistle Bend subdivision.

The city designated the trail as multi-use, including motorized vehicles, in 2009. That wasbefore any homes were built in the new development.

There are now hundreds of homes and some of the residents spoke at city council's meeting Monday night in favour of restricting trail use.

"We have never participated in any previous discussion or consultation regarding the designation of the Whistle Bend paved trail," said Tim Brady.

"When we purchased this lot we didn't know that our new home would be backing onto a motorized multi-use trail."

Brady said the trail is not wide enough for safe use by motorized and non-motorized users.

Mark Daniels, the president of the Klondike Snowmobile Association, countered there is no evidence that motorized multi-use trails are unsafe.

"So my concern is safety is a red herring thrown about in trail use," said Daniels.

"Discussions by people who's real motive may not be about safety, but to keep motorized vehicles off recreational trails," he said.

After a debate, the council voted to make the trail non-motorized until a viable alternative is brought forward.

Background information provided to council by city staff said the original plan was to build two perimeter trails with one designated for motorized use, but that did not happen.