After dozens of speakers and an hour of debate, CRD directors recognized the changing user base in regional parks and approved the new guidelines as a balance, with some suggesting that future parkland acquisitions should be considered with mountain biking in mind. The new guidelines were developed by the CRD’s parks committee after extensive consultations with mountain bikers and concerned park users. “This sets out terms of reference on how to integrate mountain biking in existing park systems as [the sport] expands in the region,” said parks committee chair Rebecca Mersereau. “Our parks are acquired and managed for the primary purpose of ecological protection. We can’t just flip a switch.”