Users of Kager and Boer Mountain Recreation Site trails are being invited to partake in an online survey that will help determine the social and economic impacts of mountain biking in Burns Lake.
The survey is being conducted by the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) in partnership with the Burns Lake Mountain Biking Association (BLMBA).
“Whether or not you ride, walk, snowshoe, ski or just support a family member, we are interested in your perspectives,” say students of UNBC’s research methods in outdoor recreation and tourism class, who are using Burns Lake for their class project this term.
Students have already been conducting face-to-face interviews with BLMBA members in Burns Lake as part of the research, which is expected to be completed by the end of the school semester.
According to Guy Epkens-Shaffer, BLMBA president, this research will assist BLMBA with grant applications since they will be able to present quantitative information to organizations, as well as to local and regional governments that provide funding for their projects.
“We know that people come here and spend money,” said Epkens-Shaffer. “If we can have a legitimate study that is Burns Lake centred, then we’ll have a really good argument [when applying for grants].”
Pamela Wright, professor of research methods in outdoor recreation and tourism at UNBC, said this partnership also presents benefits for students.
“It’s a chance for students to actively contribute to community development and to engage in all aspects of the research process,” she said. “Students get engaged in learning because they know what they do can make a difference; it’s a real thing and not just an academic essay.”
To access the online survey, visit http://unbc.fluidsurveys.com/s/BLMBA/
If there is more than one adult user of the Kager and Boer Mountain Recreation Site trails and Burns Lake Bike Park in your household, UNBC asks that each person complete the survey; however, only one of person in the household should complete questions 13 and 14.
This survey will close on Feb. 28, 2017.
