Dear Editor,
The recent decision by our town council not to allow ATVs on the urban portion of the Trans Canada Trail makes it very clear that our mayor and council do not care about the businesses and their employees.
Over the past 10 years ATV and snowmobile users have had a significant contribution to Princeton’s economy.
Managed properly, ATV users could be a huge economic benefit to our town.
Princeton is in a unique position due to its proximity to a very large ATV user population and the fact that the trail connects our valleys, opening up a huge recreational area.
It is estimated that there are about 47 thousand ATVs within a one-day drive of Princeton.
Further, on average, ATV users spend $200 per day in the community.
Recreational ATV riders are always looking for places to ride.
I think that our town should try to attract that group instead of making it more difficult for them to ride.
(The state of Colorado enjoys a $1.3 billion economic benefit from the ATV industry).
The Trans Canada Trail has to be shared by all Canadians. We all just have to try to get along and respect each other.
The trouble with banning motorized vehicles is that the riders that cause problems on the trail will do so even if they are not supposed to be there in the first place.
All a ban does is stop the respectful riders from using it.
O.W. Coers
Princeton