Treadsoftly: adopting environmental management in the start‐up phase

Illustrates the importance of a strong, implementable environmental plan and control system for the start‐up phase of a back‐country mountain biking company in the Crowsnest Pass area of Alberta, Canada. Careful planning showed that a commitment to the environment allowed the founder access to the necessary trails on public land. The key was to consider where company goals overlapped with stakeholder goals and incorporate a plan to achieve these goals. By developing a simple but effective monitoring and control system, the company was allowed to self‐regulate. The Land and Forest Service felt that the only regulation needed for Treadsoftly was adherence to its own environmental policy and monitoring its progress through its own control system. The company’s environmental management system was instrumental in receiving speedy approval for other permits and licences needed to operate in the area.