[pct-l] Forest Service to consider allowing Mtn Bikes on the PCT

[Timothy Nye]

I spoke with Scout about this issue two years ago during one of the periodic threads involving the increasing prevalence of mountain bikes on the trail.  My point was that the mountain bikers were creating "facts on the ground" to the point where allowing mountain bikes would be, at least to a sizable segment of both their and our communities, merely maintaining the status quo. I felt lobbying Congress on this issue during the annual DC trip by the PCT would help, but not voiced was my concern that adding bikes could be seen by the PCTA as a revenue enhancement mechanism through additional memberships.  Don't forget that many additional positions were added through TARP funding that will inevitably come to an end one way or another.

The response I received was that he felt that the PCTA shouldn't raise the issue because they might lose.  I didn't agree because I felt the passage of time served only to weaken our position. Now that Scout is Chairman of the Board I wonder if the PCTA will take a position one way or another or, if they do, what it might be.  My thought was that wilderness areas should be expanded. However, given their past behavior I'm sure a segment of the bicyclists will violate that prohibition as well.  And why not?  Their past transgressions have been proved to be a winning strategy that was unopposed.  Now may be too late.

I have no doubt that the list is, or will be, monitored by the biking lobby. I cannot fathom how bikes can co-exist with equestrians.   Even as a hiker I've been run off the trail several times.



Sent from my iPad

On Oct 7, 2012, at 1:13 PM, Jeffrey Olson <jolson at olc.edu> wrote:

> I hope this doesn't happen.
> 
> My girlfriend and I were lying across the trail in a brushy section 
> north of Tahoe when two bikers came charging up.  They were miles from 
> being legal.  Of course we couldn't have moved fast enough to get out of 
> the way, and one of them hit his brakes and twisted off the trail and 
> his chainring landed on a small boulder and bent.  He had a couple miles 
> to walk...
> 
> Try hiking the Tahoe Rim Trail and see what it's like.  I'd almost 
> rather have grizzlies to be hyper-sensitive about than mountain bikers.  
> 98% are respectful, but like the selfish, small minded thrus that build 
> fires on the PCT in non-emergency situations, it's the 2% it's too easy 
> to remember.
> 
> I'm not trolling...
> 
> Jeffrey Olson
> Rapid City, SD
> 
> 
> On 10/7/2012 2:03 PM, Brick Robbins wrote:
>> http://forums.mtbr.com/passion/big-news-feds-consider-allowing-bikes-pct-816289.html
>> 
>> As a result, the Forest Service is going to begin a rulemaking
>> procedure, probably in March of 2013, to consider making the
>> non-Wilderness parts of the PCT multiuse. This will involve public
>> notice and comment.
>> 
> 
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