Bike ban proposed in National Forests

Submitted Wed, 10/14/2009 - 9:22am by Jonno

NYTimes article discusses proposed mountain bike ban in Montana National Forests.

"Five Northern Region national forests have proposed bike bans in areas
that the Forest Service has recommended for wilderness designations. It
is the nation’s first unified, regional bike ban."

Here is a link to the article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/11/sports/11bikes.html?_r=1

 

‹ Portland Bicycle Master Plan - PDX BMP Plains of Abraham named IMBA Epic ›

That's just sad.  My

by Joe Rykowski - 2009-10-14 11:21

That's just sad. 

My first thought also was... "so are they going to ban horses and hikers too?"

Mountain bikers, however, argue that they maintain their trail systems
and that their effect is no greater than that of horseback riders who
leave holes in the ground on muddy days.

 

Too bad whatever mountain biker(s) gave that quote to the NYTimes reporter didn't express it accurately.   Mountain bike users on trails have the same affect as HIKERS.   There's been studies.   If they ban bikes, they absolutely need to ban hikers also.

 

A letter to dbull at fs.fed.us

by spankythemonk - 2009-10-17 07:23

Dear Dave,

I am writing in regards to the article published in the New York Times regarding trail use. During my years of trail use as a hiker, equestrian, and cyclist, I have made some observations that I would like to share:

  • - The greatest amount of trash and rubbish is in the first mile of the trail, often near parking areas.

  • - Groups of hikers walk side by side, if they can.

    - Groups of horseback riders and bikers often follow and lead.

    - Horses are skittish around hikers and bikers.

    - Nobody likes being past by a horse of bike traveling at high speed.

    - Hiking and walking activist seem to spend lots of time primping the vegetation along side trails.

  • - Mountain bike groups spend lots of time on trail building.
  • - Equestrian groups spend time and funds on the destinations along a trail, camping areas, and watering areas.
  • - Mountain bikers and hikers pick up trash.
  • - Wide open fire roads just are not fun for descents on mountain bikes. There is very little technical difficulty. But, tight twisty trails are lots of fun for horseback and mountain bikes. They slow down trail users, and traffic coming the opposite direction is easier to hear.
  • - Horses leave poop and dibbits in the trail.
  • - Mountain bikers leave a smooth rock free path that hikers often walk on.
  • - New trail users are skittish, lost, grumpy, or tired. Long term users are excited to be there, helpful, and generally in a great mood.
  • - People boast that they live near or close to open space that gets used.
  • - All users groups are bummed when a trail or destination gets shut down.

I hope this provides some objective observation of trail use. The public land set aside for recreational sports has provided a wonderful sanity for my entire family, and I would like to see that continued for future generations. Please keep all of our trails open. And thank you for your service to the US Forest Service, as I know its not an easy job to make all the public happy at once.

Thank you,

Dave Bulls Reply:

by spankythemonk - 2009-10-18 10:39

Thank you for the email. Mountain biking is a wonderful recreational activity, and the national forests provide tens of thousands of miles of trails open to mountain bikers. I bought my first mountain bike over 22 years ago and love the experience a good single track trail can provide.  What I have seen over my 33 years in the Forest Service is that the vast majority of mountain bikers, ATV'ers, skiers, motorcyclists, hikers, snowmobilers, equestrians, etc. have a great love for and care deeply about our national forests.

What I was attempting to convey to the article's author was the view here in the Northern Region that if an area is important enough for the public to ask the Forest Service, through an open public planning process, to recommend it to Congress for wilderness designation, then the Forest Service should protect those important wilderness values until Congress is able to act on the recommendation.

Thanks for your interest in this issue. I encourage you to continue to be involved in the travel planning and land management plan revision processes currently underway on many Northern Region national forests.
 --Dave Bull

Wow, sounds like the big "W"

by TomArcher - 2009-10-21 20:41

Wow, sounds like the big "W" designation is a done deal if they are already enforcing the laws as if it was.

 

This is an issue we really need to watch.  These national precedents can have a ripple effect across the country.  

 

Write IMBA and urge them to hold strong on this.