The FMCBC which the BCMC is part of main role is to be an advocate on behalf of non-motorized backcountry recreation users. Protecting non-motorized backcountry recreation activities, access and interests is the FMCBC’s number one goal. In 2012, the FMCBC hired Professor Wolfgang Haider from Simon Fraser University to conduct province-wide research on these three topics. The FMCBC received grant funding from MEC to make this research possible.
The results of the survey are presented in the Non-Motorized Outdoor Recreation in British Columbia in 2012: Participation and Economic Contributions report. These results demonstrate that non-motorized outdoor recreation users contribute significantly to the economy of BC. Conservative estimates suggest that residents of the province collectively traveled more than 1.3 billion km to engage in non-motorized outdoor recreation in the year 2012, and that the direct economic contributions of their participation topped $3.5 billion.
Dr. Haider conducted a separate literature review on the health benefits of non-motorized backcountry recreation. In his report Health Benefits of Non-Motorized Outdoor Recreation: A Summary of Published Findings, there is strong evidence which shows that a person’s physical health can be improved by participating in outdoor recreation.