[pct-l] Bikes on PCT- alternative enforcement idea

[FP H]

I've read with interest the various suggestions that we crack down on
cyclists on
the PCT with 1) more federal money and government agents patrolling the
trail or 2) private, armed, bounty hunters gunning for mountain biker
scalps and reward money or 3) cameras cameras cameras. None of those
ideas is going to happen,
none would work...and nor should they because they would be an
indication of a society (and the PCT along with it) moving in precisely
the wrong direction. We seem to be overlooking a fourth option, and
this one
would actually bring additional resources to the trail (rather than
drain them) and potentially
solve once and for all the problem of irresponsible, illegal bicycle
use of the PCT. Wait for it...here it comes...pure heresy: share the
trail. 



To rebut Edward Anderson's initial assertion, NO, we do NOT all agree that bikes are a
serious safety hazard and that they cause more erosion than other uses.
That's because some of us live in a world where - by some
special magic - we successfully and peacefully share many hundreds of
miles
of public trails with our fellow outdoor enthusiasts who choose to
enjoy the backcountry by bicycle. And, stranger still, we see many
hundreds of miles of trail that appear to be sustainable, ecologically
sound and perfectly manageable despite heavy bicycle use.



How have we
achieved the impossible? The answer has many elements, but every one of
them sounds more attractive to me than 1) massing federal agents at
trailheads, 2) paying private wackos (oh yes, they will be wackos) to
chase down bicyclists, 3) wiring the trail to a high-tech video surveillance system and, all the while,
continuing to spread fear and division in the trails and conservation
community. Instead, good trail design and maintenance (made easier by
the involvement of cyclists) and ongoing education and socialization of
all trail users (made easier by
the involvement of cyclists) seems to work rather well. In fact, those
are
the same tools we've always used successfully to reign in and reduce
the numbers of
uneducated and irresponsible hikers and equestrians that have created
management challenges since the beginning of time. It hasn't been easy, but it beats the pants off of every "us vs. them" suggestion that I've seen. 


Safety and
environmental impacts are always legitimate concerns when it comes to
trail management, and since it's clear enough from many of the posts
here that exclusion, division and vitriol aren't working so well, how
about focusing on the tools and techniques that are actually effective
at creating positive outcomes? Let's
finally take those safety and impact issues seriously and work -
together - towards a better future for the community and for the PCT. Or maybe we can pass the collection plate and buy some military drones equipped with powerful anti-cyclist lasers!



I anticipate that the only replies I'll see to this post are from
people who are completely convinced that there isn't one inch of the
2,650 mile PCT that could possibly be shared with bicycles. But for
those readers on the list who know, believe or even just hope that working with
bicyclists could be productive - just as it has been elsewhere - I hope you'll chime in with whatever constructive thoughts or concerns you may have.

-FPH