More terrain for mountain bikers?
Proposal would allow access to national parks
By David Montero, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published December 19, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
A proposed rule change to allow mountain bikers access to National Park Service land was sought by the Bush administration Thursday, but he'll be out of office when the issue is decided.
The change, written in the federal registry, still must go through a public comments phase, which ends Feb. 17, and advocates are targeting a national park in Texas and one in Washington, D.C.
Mark Eller, spokesman for the Boulder-based International Mountain Bicycling Association, said the four national parks in Colorado - Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes and Black Canyon of the Gunnison - aren't likely candidates for mountain biking.
"We think this is great step forward for national parks to enhance their visitor experience," Eller said. Many are surprised to find a lack of places to ride bikes.
Eller said the two national parks being eyed for the rule change are Big Bend in Texas and Fort Dupont in the District of Columbia.
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December 19, 2008
5:20 a.m.
Suggest removal
goose writes:
Please spare us. Mt bikers are causing enough trail damage and terror as it is. We need to reduce, not increase, the availability of public land for this "sport".
December 19, 2008
8:02 a.m.
Suggest removal
squeakywheel writes:
So now we know what Bush wants to do after he retires... bike Big Bend.
December 19, 2008
8:28 a.m.
Suggest removal
wilbwil writes:
What mountain bikers need are biker only trails so conflicts with hikers and equestrians are reduced.