[pct-l] Facts matter (Bicycles on the PCT)

[James Vesely]

The key word is "potential trail use" safety and logic would dictate
that when there are two potential uses for a trail you should look at
possible conflicts.   Something moving at a potential speed in excess of
30 mph+ on a single lane trail would not go well with something moving
at a speed of 2-3 mph on the same trail and this is why bicycles are
banded from driving on city sidewalks.    For the safety of the mountain
biker and the pedestrian there has to be some separation.   We are not
talking about a single lane mountain road here this is a footpath
designed for foot travel.   

 

I would like ask the mountain bike people if they would think it safe
and prudent for a 60 mph+ motorcycle to use the same paths that mountain
bikes use, the motorcycle is only going twice as fast not 10 times as
fast as in the case of a bike/pedestrian.  

 

Jim

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net
[mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Dan Jacobs
Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2012 8:43 AM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] Facts matter (Bicycles on the PCT)

 

Facts matter.

 

So I decided to try to find out some facts. I looked up the Act of

Congress that designated the National Trails system. I found it here:

 

http://www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/nts/legislation.html

 

In case there are some that don't want to read through it, here is a

pertinent part of the Act (SEC. 7. [16USC1246] (j)):

 

"(j) Potential trail uses allowed on designated components of the

national trails system may include, but are not limited to, the

following: bicycling, cross-country skiing, day hiking, equestrian

activities, jogging or similar fitness activities, trail biking,

overnight and long-distance backpacking, snowmobiling, and surface

water and underwater activities. Vehicles which may be permitted on

certain trails may include, but need not be limited to, motorcycles,

bicycles, four-wheel drive or all-terrain off-road vehicles. In

addition, trail access for handicapped individuals may be provided.

The provisions of this subsection shall not supersede any other

provisions of this Act or other Federal laws, or any State or local

laws."

 

So, the Act does not prohibit bicycles, in fact states they are a

potential use of the National Trails System. You will also see that

potential users include motorcycles and four wheel drive or

all-terrain vehicles. If you're gonna fight something, you gotta know

about it.

 

My wish is that we can keep the negativity on this list to an absolute

minimum. If we have a superior moral and ethical position on the

matter, we don't show it well with name calling, biting on the shiny

troll bait and lures, and fighting among ourselves. The timing was

awful after the bickering about horses on the PCT. If this is the kind

of "club" I joined, I am thinking twice about whether I want to be a

member.

 

I spend all day, four days a week with thousands of people that feel

entitled to whatever they want, whenever they want it, and react in

utter shock, disbelief, and anger when they don't get things they way

they want. I don't need any more of that from anywhere else.

 

Dan Jacobs

Washougal

--

"Loud motorcycle stereos save lives"

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