[pct-l] The AT and cyclists

[Brick Robbins]

On Mon, Oct 29, 2012 at 10:54 AM, JPL <jplynch at crosslink.net> wrote:
> excuse my ignorance, but what's the difference between a mountain bike and a
> dirt bike?
>
> -----Original Message----- From: abiegen at cox.net
> Sent: Monday, October 29, 2012 1:41 PM
> To: pct-l-request at backcountry.net
> Cc: Brick Robbins ; Douglas Tow ; JPL
> Subject: [pct-l] The AT and cyclists
>
>
> RE: Any movement by mountain bikers to get access to the AT.
>
> The National Trails System Act of 1968 defined the existing/proposed
> National Scenic Trails. It specifically states for the Appalachian Trail:
>
> "The Appalachian Trail shall be administered primarily as a footpath by the
> Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of
> Agriculture."
>
> When the bill was written, the Appalachian Trail was well established and
> had a strong association to protect their vision.
>
> The fact that it is stated "primarily as a footpath" ensures that it cannot
> be opened to mountain bikes except by an act of Congress. Given that
> Congress has refused to act even as we careen toward the fiscal cliff
> (please excuse my one bipartisan political statement) it is extremely
> unlikely that the AT will be opened to MBers.
>
> IMBA definitely has their sights on Wilderness and started several years ago
> to propose alternate designations that they feel will allow mountain bikes.
> The MBers are trying to define a thin line since they hate dirt bikes. They
> cite the difference in speed and weight and how that impacts their safety.
> Hmmmmm.
>
>
> TrailHacker
> --
> "When my feet hurt, I can't think straight"
> Abraham Lincoln