CARLSBAD, Calif. (KGTV) - After hundreds of signs and fences along the trails at the Carlsbad Ecological Reserve are ripped from the ground, Fish and Wildlife is now setting up a specialized enforcement team.
Secret cameras set up around the 500 acre reserve caught dozens of bikers ripping up signs, cutting fence wire and vandalizing property.
Fish and Wildlife representative Peter Tira told 10News this is nothing new.
"We're not dealing with recreational mountain bikers, we're dealing with folks who disregard the law and believe the law doesn't apply to them," said Tira.
Starting Saturday, April 6, Fish and Wildlife enforcement officers will hand out citations to all bikers who are caught riding the trails. Each citation comes with a $250 fine.
"We've installed about 500 signs on this property almost all of which have been taken down or vandalized. On each of the signs it says 'No Bicycles'," said Tira.
However, many mountain bikers who showed up to the trails Wednesday told 10News this is a popular spot for many in the Carlsbad area. Ivan Sekanovich comes to ride these trails at least once a week and is disappointed that Fish and Wildlife are letting the actions of a small group of bikers ruin it for the rest of them.
"For the most part, people know where they're supposed to hike and the bikers know where to bike," Sekanovich said.
