I have always wondered why exactly is it that mountain bikes are banned from designated wilderness areas within the U.S. Mountain bikes are a human powered, zero pollution, environmentally sustainable, outdoor recreation, so I decided to do some research to find an answer. Quite frankly, I didn’t find any strong arguments supporting the ban of mountain bikes, but I didn’t find a plethora of evidence supporting the lifting of it.
The most compelling evidence stems from a handful of diverse scientific studies regarding the environmental impacts of mountain bikes vs. hiking. I’m not going to go into detail of any particular studies, but what I found was that there are none that have proven mountain bike activity any more environmentally damaging than hiking. So why is it that mountain bikes are banned?
The mountain bike ban from the 1984 wilderness regulation act is a historical artifact. It is a remnant of early caution and the fear and hostility towards emerging recreational use and encroachment of mountain bikers on trails during that time. This 1984 ban is antiquated and clearly indicates the lack of accurate information and fear at that time.
Not only does it discriminate against and harm a significant number of cyclists, but it ultimately weakens the intactness of environmental and outdoor recreation communities; resulting in a less unified community to protect nature and wilderness lands. Creating multiple use guidelines and allowing mountain bikes to utilize some wilderness trails is the best policy.
11 comments:
I could not agree more with Rand. This is a stupid policy that is there only because its an historical artifact and people are too comfortable to change anything, even if the policy is dead weight. The catalyst for change has to come from the mountain bikers since they are the discriminated/disadvantaged group and they want the change the worst. There needs to be a union of the environmental and outdoor recreation communities and everyone should realize biking on a trail does no more environmental degradation than walking on that same path does.
I am a mountain biker also and I have dealt with this ban many times. I also agree that it is a very dumb idea since it does not harm the environment any more than hiking. I really dont know why this ban would be put into place but i can take some guesses as to why someone would want that.
Maybe the hikers are being selfish and dont want to share with the bikers. Some mountain bikers do go pretty fast when they are going downhill.
Or maybe the tire marks ruin the trails during the wet seasons and so it costs a lot to maintenance the trails.
What do you guys think?
I also agree that Mountain biking is a great environmentally friendly activity. However I was wondering if any part of the band could be because of the hikers. I figure more people hike than mountain bike and maybe part of the ban is keep attracting hikers. It would seem that less hikers would roam the trails if they knew that they would be sharing it with mountain bikers. Another reason for the ban could be they figuring you are more likely to go off the trail on a mountain bike than hiking (I have no idea if this is true or not) and than a mountain bike would cause more damage than a hiker.
I like how this post addresses the necessity of unity for protecting nature and wildlands. Although it is true mountain bikers themselves must press the issue of getting these bans lifted, it is ultimately cooperation and understanding from both sides of the issue that will lead to policy reform. Bikers, and most others that use these areas for recreation, most likely share a common interest in enjoying and protecting outdoor recreation areas. It takes understanding and reciprocity from all involved in these types of policy decisions in order to inact change.
I agree with your end point about the unity of outdoor loving people, and how this fragments them. If they were not divided there perhaps would be stronger support and protection for the areas that they all enjoy. The main problem after that is...the trail etiquette.
David McKinley
On a similar note, I noticed that wingsuits, a kind of BASE jumping that involves gliding to the ground on a suit with, well, wings, is also banned in wilderness areas. This ban has resulted in numerous deaths. I saw a case in Yosemite where a protester of the rule illegally jumped off El Capitan, and was chased by the rangers after he landed. He drowned trying to escape, crossing a rushing river. Supposedly jumping is banned because some previous jumpers before it was banned were seen as 'disregarding the environment'. Mad River Glen, a ski area in Vermont, banned all snowboarders because the owner saw two snowboarders in a supermarket cussing. It is not fair to use one person or instance to represent an entire sport! This is discrimination, and someone needs to make better policies.
Great post. I wonder if the ban was put in place partially for safety of the mountain biker. It just seems like there is a lot more risk in mountain biking some of the Boulder trails than hiking those same trails. I guess safety is something to think about. Regardless, I am all for opening trails to mountain biking.
I think the ban was originally put into place because many of the trails that are mainly used for hiking/jogging/dog walking etc. are simply not wide enough for mountain bikes, especially if there are blind curves or anything of that nature that could be dangerous for cyclist and hiker. It could also be that the trails need much more maintenance with bikes on them and that could prove to be costly. I do agree however that it is a dumb policy and should be reformed/lifted to be more accommodating to all outdoor activities, not just some.
I think it is because of the hikers that the Mountain biking is ban even though its a great environmentally friendly activity.
Also it might be for the conservation of the species.
I agree that the mountain biking ban is most likely because of concern from hikers. Mountain biking doesn't seem to harm the environment any more than hiking does but it does disrupt hiking. In the 1980's when there were more hikers than mountain bikers on trails, I'm sure there were complaints that led to the bans.
The event of human impact is a direct effect of this area of ecotourism. We should find the balance between our impact and tourism.
andrew sieving
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