[MindBomber]

Originally Posted by Soundy

Just curious, since you're running the numbers... how many hundreds of miles of trails, roads and backroads, and hundreds if not thousands of acres of fields, are available to these same people to ride their horses? Now compare that to the paved stretches where the race enthusiasts can do their thing in safety.

I think you're approaching equestrian space availability poorly.

I would divide it into two categories: trail/road riding and competition venues.

Campbell Valley is one of two major equestrian trail heads, and quite a few short trails along dykes and the fraser river also exist, and of course rural road riding adds hundreds of kilometers.

For equestrians, trail riding, and especially road riding, I consider equivalent, for drivers, to the casual cruising.

I would then not consider equestrians to have an advantage or drivers in this regard.

Campbell Valley is the only major municipal equestrian competition venue, a minor one unsuitable for the majority of activities also exists. A number of private competition venues exist, but this is not primarily a discussion of private facilities so it seems those should be excluded.

The availability of one major municipal equestrian competition facility to serve thousands of potential users, thus, makes the lack of availability municipal motor sports facilities to serve a hundred or so potential users seem quite reasonable.

If motor sports had wide enough support private facilities would open, like they have for equestrian.

I drive through south Surrey/Langley Aldergrove now and then, I see horses being ridden along the sides of even the main roads most times I'm through there. Nobody seems to have a problem with this. Do you think society would be equally forgiving of a couple guys ripping their GT-Rs along 8th Ave.?

Ripping GT-Rs along 8th avenue is totally cool, as long as they obey the MVA.

Riding horses along the sides of roads is legal.

I see no bias favouring equestrians here.

I don't see where asking to use an EXISTING piece of oval asphalt, in an EXISTING facility, on a relatively small chunk of land, where those with a need for speed can get their jollies without endangering anyone else, is really so much to ask, compared to all the open, public spaces everyone else is free to use for whatever other non-motorized pursuits they may enjoy.

Have you ever been to Langley Speedway, Soundy?

I suspect not, because you would realize, it's an existing piece of asphalt, but not an existing racing facility. The asphalt has been derelict for four decades, it's not usable. The stands have been derelict for four decades as well, they're not usable. A road to access the oval no longer exists. A set of pits does not exist. A washroom, concession facility does not exist. A parking area large enough to accommodate the proposed crowds does not exist. A new facility essentially needs to be constructed.

And yes, it is too much to ask. Niche hobbies cannot be accommodated by municipal governments, that's up to private industry. I can cite countless examples of other niche hobbies that do not have spaces provided.