The Interior Department is working on a rule change that would make it quicker and easier to designate trails for mountain bike use in national parks and other public lands.
An environmental group is calling it a “lame duck gift for our Mountain-Biker-in-Chief,” while mountain bike supporters call it a way to energize the national parks.
The rule change would allow decisions about mountain bike trails in parks to be made at the superintendent level, instead of run up the bureaucracy to headquarters with requirements for a public review period.
Prohibited
Currently, mountain biking is prohibited in national parks except on park roads and routes specifically designated for mountain bike use.
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility recently got wind of the rule changes, which were to be written and proposed in November. Slamming the rule change as a gift to the mountain-biking President, PEER executive director Jeff Ruch wrote:
“With all the troubles facing the country, the White House should be concerned about more than where the president can ride his bike.”
Scenic places
The International Mountain Bicycling Association, however, says bicycling is good for national parks. Says director Mike Van Abel:
“Bicycling is a good fit for many national parks. It's a quiet, low-impact, family-friendly activity that provides a great way to get adults and kids excited about exploring America's most scenic places.”
In explaining the controversy, the AP reported that mountain bikes on backcountry trails are blamed for trail erosion, trampling of native plants, and disturbances to hikers, birders and horseback riders.
Piles of crap
I never understood how mountain biking could be banned where horseback riding is allowed. Horses can cause just as much or more erosion and plant trampling, as well as leaving piles of crap around.
The IMBA says studies by the National Park Service and others show “the environmental impacts of mountain biking are similar to those of hiking and less than those of many other user groups.”
The mountain biking association and National Park Service have been working together since 2005 to improve mountain bike access in the parks, including sponsoring work parties on trails.
Biker Bush
Over his tenure, President Bush has become one of the highest profile mountain bikers in the US. He took up the sport as an alternative to running and is known for jetting around his ranch in Crawford, Texas, or in DC-area parks on Mountain Bike One. He rides both Treks and Cannondales, given to him as gifts.
He once mountain biked at his rance with Lance Armstrong.
The current mountain bike rules have been in place since the Reagan era, and the International Mountain Biking Association has been lobbying for changes for at least 10 years.
IMBA press release: “Mountain bikers will benefit from rule change in National Parks“
PEER press release: “Interior Department readies mountain bike expansion in National Parks“
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