We should all respond to the IMBA Alert
From: www.imba.com
Mountain bikers could lose access to some of the most beautiful rides in the Beaverhead Deerlodge National Forest, southwest Montana. The forest is proposing a blanket ban for bicycling in areas that are designated wilderness. These areas are home to some of Montana’s best singletrack.
Local cyclists proposed companion designations, and slight boundary adjustments, to protect these wild places and singletrack experiences. The Forest Service has now reiterated its intention to ban bicycles. This would eliminate 25 years of mountain biking history and set a dangerous precedent.
Get involved! Tell Forest Service that mountain biking and protecting land are not mutually exclusive. Comments are due Monday, March 31, at 11:59 PM.
Additional Information
Mountain bikers are keen to collaborate with conservationists in order to preserve their backcountry trails. Local riders have asked the Forest Service not to place a blanket ban on bicycle access and instead allow for route-by-route access.
Studies have shown that mountain biking has similar impacts to hiking, and much less than other activities. The authors concluded that, although the impact mechanics and forces of mountain biking are different than those experienced by foot traffic, they are similar to hiking, which is the most popular and traditional trail-based recreational activity. (Marion and Wimpey 2007).
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest houses the Montana High Divide Trails Agreement. This user-based collaboration process brought together bicyclists, equestrians and Wilderness advocates in order to create a proposal to protect land around Butte-Hilary. It would be a huge obstacle to the creation of a similar group in other parts of the forest if there was a blanket ban on bicycling within recommended wilderness.
A blanket ban on bicycle access to the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) would limit its use. The 3,100-mile route runs from Montana to New Mexico. The forest plan would ban bicycling in at least five sections on the CDT. Existing bicycle routes around these areas are not viable.
Write Your Own Letter
Personalized messages and unique messages are very important. Mountain bikers concerned can send their feedback via IMBA’s easy online form, their email address, or by a postal letter. You can edit all your comments to maximize their effect.
Forest Plan Comments
Forest Service
420 Barrett Street
Dillon, MT 59725
3 Things You Can Do
1. Get Active!
2. Donate to the IMBA Legal Fund to help save these trails.
3. Encourage your friends to do the same!
Epic Areas at High Risk
Ita Peak, Garfield Mountain, Garfield Mountain and East Pioneers are the most important areas. These are some the most beautiful lands in the Lower 48. They offer epic singletrack for all lengths of rides. These lands deserve protection but they should be allowed to continue bicycle use.
A proposed wilderness area will block a two-mile stretch of one of the most loved trails. The Spanish Peaks Wilderness Trail, 22 miles long, is a challenging ride with amazing views. This section, located near Ennis Lake and just before Trail Creek Trailhead, dips into the proposed Recommended Wilderness. It is a great way to end this epic through-ride.
