Tineke Kraal clearly misjudged the anger she would stoke when she began deliberately and repeatedly laying logs and branches across mountain bike trails on Mount Fromme. It got her name and picture in news stories across the country, and rightly so.
After being secretly filmed in the act by members of the mountain bike community, she pleaded guilty to one criminal charge of mischief rendering property dangerous, useless or inoperative, and she has now been sentenced.
Thankfully, no one was injured as a result of Kraal’s actions although the potential for a life-ending or ruining crash was always there.
As for her punishment, the 150 hours of community service and probation are fair. But if Kraal is truly sorry for what she did and has publicly acknowledged she was wrong to put others at risk, that’s good enough for us.
We’re satisfied her days as a trail saboteur are behind her and she’s certainly made an example of herself.
What bothered us the most is the sense of entitlement she had – an apparent belief the trails were hers to police.
Some good can still come from this whole regrettable affair. It’s been a reminder that, despite whatever petty conflicts various user groups may have with each other on the trails, we have a shared responsibility to look out for one another. It’s on us, the backcountry adventurers of all kinds, to ensure the trails remain a safe and welcoming place of recreation.
If we can’t manage to share the incredible gift of nature at our doorstep, we’re better off at home on the couch, watching the Canucks bumble through another season.
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