"Support! National Park Service Rule Change 36 CFR 4.30"

"Support! National Park Rule Change 36 CFR 4.30"

The International Mountain BIcycling Association (IMBA) asks you to support the National Park Service and the proposed Rule Change 36 CFR 4.30- the special regulation that applies to mountain biking in the parks!

It is our national parks that unite us all as Americans. From the establishment of Yellowstone as Americas first national park in 1872, to the 391 National parks that we have today. Americans have been united in their support of a national park system that protects our countriess most treasured natural landscapes, ecosystems and cultural resources.

Our national parks provide many opportunities for exploration — from hiking and horseback riding, to fishing and rafting, to climbing and mountain biking. Mountain biking is an ideal way to explore dirt roads and trails. Currently, more than 40 national parks offer mountain biking opportunities, helping connect visitors to the natural world.

The non-profit Outdoor Industry Foundation tells us that bicycling is the number one gateway activity that gets kids outside and involved in a variety of outdoor sports, such as fishing, backpacking and hiking. Mountain bikers are committed to protecting the environment, and are proven stewards of the lands in which they ride. Every year, IMBA members contribute more than one million hours of volunteer trail work, building and maintaining environmentally sustainable trails around the United States.

Independent scientific studies, including those conducted by the National Park Service, have shown that, the environmental impacts of mountain biking are similar to those of hiking, and far less than many other recreational activities.

IMBA has worked in partnership with the park service to maintain park trails, develop effective management strategies, and identify new opportunities for mountain biking in the parks. Mountain biking is officially recognized by the NPS as an appropriate activity, harmonious with the park services mission of conservation and preservation.

The park service has recently suggested a rule change for the process of opening trails to bikes — a process that currently requires tremendous expense, years of paperwork and redundant local- and national-level processes. In the 30-year history of mountain biking in the national parks, the lengthy regulatory process has only been successfully completed twice. The suggested rule change will eliminate duplicative paperwork and help to create new, appropriate opportunities for mountain biking. It would only apply to parks where including mountain biking is considered non-controversial by park staff.

The rule change would not diminish environmental protections or opportunities for public comment. It would not impact Wilderness or Wilderness Study Area regulations. All trails would still have to comply with all National Park Service Planning rules and the National Environmental Policy Act.

Creating opportunities for mountain biking is not about taking opportunities away from existing users, such as hikers or equestrians. Shared-use trails work — there are hundreds of success stories around the country demonstrating that hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians can all get along.

Join IMBA in supporting the National Park Service and their suggested rule change to improve sustainable mountain biking opportunities. Go to imba.com and send an electronic comment letter supporting Rule Change 36 CFR 4.30.

The national parks have united us all as Americans. We must now unite to support a positive change for our national parks.

Production Credits:
"Support! National Park Service Rule Change 36 CFR 4.30"
(Running Time: 3:53)

Produced By:
International Mountain BIcycling Association

Producer:
Jenn Dice IMBA Government Affairs Director

Written By:
Nat Lopes- Hilride
Rachael Lopes- Hilride

Co-Written By:
Jenn Dice- IMBA Government Affairs Director
Mark Eller- IMBA Communications Director

Videography:
Nat Lopes- Hilride
Rachael Lopes- Hilride

Photography:
Rachael Lopes- Hilride
IMBA Archive

Narrated By:
Bryan Dean- myspace/bddeanbassist

Original Score:
Glenn McMullen- soundofpop.com
Thomas Ryder Payne- soundofpop.com

Edited By:
Nat Lopes- Hilride

Production Manager:
Rachael Lopes- Hilride

Special Thanks:
Marin Trips For Kids
Miwok Livery Stables
Outdoor Alliance

A Hilride Production
All Rights Reserved © 2008
www.hilride.com

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

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• policy
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• 36
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[leedarch]

Bikes cause erosion just like foot traffic on a trail but they always repair and build back the trail. Why would we bike a trail to its destruction to never be able to ride it again? The mission behind IMBA is to open more trails and that benefits the hikers too. Hikers that think like you are why so many trails get shut down because of the narrow mindedness behind the "hiker only" cause. Again I will say it, IMBA creates more trails for everyone, not just us bikers!

[nx01craig]

98% of all the trails I've hiked in a National Park are poorly designed and require a lot of maintenance. If the National Parks adopted the IMBA standards for sustainable trail building, everyone would benefit.

[skynug]

Has anyone studied the impact of biking vs hiking when it comes to animal behavior? Wouldn't a bike startle an animal more? What about multi-user conflicts? I'd think the potential of a blind corner single track collision is pretty high...maybe even kill a small child. I like mountain biking but like ATV's, we have our designated use areas and should be happy with that. Greed is not good.

[AmericasLostTreasure]

I wouldn't suggest mountain biking at the Dry Tortugas ;) Kayaking... yes.

[localdecaf]

It is 7:15 AM, and I am waiting patiently for the sun to come up so that I can set out to maintain the trail I spent the entire summer building. After I brush the leaves aside, and fill in the ruts, and I will ride that trail before I go to work for the following 12 hours. I am dedicated to biking for life, and encourage everyone to try it. Mt. Bikers maintain trails with compasion and tact. Get your facts straight before you make misnomers about Mt. Bikers. We have heart, and pride!!!

[localdecaf]

People, people, people. Come on now. If it werent for the invention of the horse drawn wagon, our forefathers (and mothers, sisters, brothers) would never made it beyond ohio. Bicycles are one of the greatest invetions known to man, and I find the exclusion of them on NATIONAL forest land to be elitest and down right racist!. Mt. Bikers are rarely exclusive. Yes, we tend to have fun WHILE we enjoy the wonders of nature. Rather than share trails with these people, why not create our own. SHAME!!

[kevin12161995]

I have come in contact with hikers, trail runners, and equestrians and have never had even the slightest hint of annoyance from anyone. Most are happy to see another person out enjoying the same beautiful day. The only problem is breaking rules. There will always be those who are selfish. To say that a mountain biker by definition is more destructive or selfish than a hiker is of course ridiculous. How many have rounded a corner to see unleashed dogs barking at you? My dachshund rarely rides.

[mjvande]

Mountain bikers just don't listen, nor tell the truth. We aren't discussing "bad seeds". We are discussing banning BIKES from the trails. Mountain bikers rarely do trail maintenance, and when they do, they build trails so as to create thrills for mountain bikers, NOT trails that are appropriate for other trail users. Besides, trail building and trail maintenance are both destructive activities. they destroy wildlife habitat. BTW, horses were wiped out by humans. they have a right to return.

[snidemcbride]

mjvande -

You say that you share the trail with everyone, but your other posts say that bikes don't belong. Trail construction is habitat construction, but don't you hike on the on these trails too? If you've had a bad experience with MTB's that stinks. Cyclists in general are concerned about the environment, participate in their communities, and encourage active life styles of all Americans. Try to open up and shake the misery. A whole new world will open up to you.

[moonar11]

Horses went extinct in the Americas 15,000 years ago.  They were re-introduced by the Spanish Conquistadors around 1493.

[Octopetalia]

Nature-deficit?