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

[Jim Keener ( J J )]

Greetings,

So. The solution for illegal activity is to make it legal? Doublespeak. 

Bicycles *do* erode the trail more than hikers. Much more. And bicycles on the trail diminish the wilderness and wilderness-like experience of the trail. 

The only places where it is appropriate for bicycles to share the trail is on the road walks. 

Enforcing the law is a good idea - not one that should be sneered at. 

I hope you enjoy riding where it is legal and safe. And keep off the Pacific Crest Trail. 

Jim Keener ( J J )

On Nov 6, 2010, at 2:38 PM, FP H <footpedalhoof at hotmail.com> wrote:

> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 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
>                           
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