The following is IMBA's proposed position and direction on mountain cycling in wilderness areas. This is truly a ground breaking approach, hear and feel what it is saying. Notice the use of "muscle-powered recreation" as you read. This is something we need to think proactively about as we spread the word of our responsible use of all trails.

 

I'm stoked,

josh

 

 

Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2005 16:11:11 -0700
   From: Pete Webber <pete@...>
Subject: IMBA Announces Strategy for Wilderness and Mountain Biking

For Immediate Release: February 10, 2005
Contact: Pete Webber, IMBA communications director
pete@..., 303-545-9011

IMBA Announces Strategy for Wilderness and Mountain Biking

The blanket ban on bicycling in Wilderness Areas and its effect on future
trail access continues to be a focus for the International Mountain
Bicycling Association (IMBA) in 2005. IMBA is pursuing a four-part strategy
to protect access for mountain bicycling while preserving natural areas.

IMBA believes mountain biking, a low-impact, muscle-powered recreation, is
an appropriate use of trails on public lands and is consistent with the
values of Wilderness land protection which includes recreation in natural
landscapes.

When proposed Wilderness Areas include significant mountain biking
opportunities, IMBA pursues boundary adjustments and alternative land
designations that protect natural areas while preserving bicycle access.
IMBA supports new Wilderness designations where they don't close singletrack
bicycling opportunities. IMBA members highly value land conservation, clean
water and clean air.

The first part of IMBA's strategy is to continue to build clout in the U.S.
capital where IMBA staff, volunteer advocates and a prominent D.C. law firm
are lobbying to influence proposed Wilderness legislation and protect
bicycle access. This includes pending Wilderness bills that would close
hundreds of miles of singletrack in California, Oregon, Virginia, Idaho and
Washington. Mountain bikers are urged to attend IMBA's "24 Hours of D.C."
April 6-7 for a targeted lobbying campaign. In 2004, bicycle advocates held
140 face-to-face meetings with government officials during IMBA's lobby day,
championing key mountain biking and Wilderness issues.

Second, IMBA will mobilize and lead its grassroots network to participate in
local negotiations over Wilderness lands expansion. It is essential that
IMBA, cycling clubs and individuals speak strongly for mountain biking in
the early stages of Wilderness discussions. Through education, outreach,
community building, partnerships and media relations, mountain bikers can
influence and support appropriate Wilderness bills.

- In Virginia, mountain biking leaders recently negotiated a compromise on a
Wilderness proposal that protects lands and preserves bicycle access in the
Jefferson National Forest by using a National Scenic Area designation.

- In northwest California, a Wilderness bill threatens to close more than
170 miles of trails to mountain biking. IMBA is committed to shaping a bill
that is better for cycling and will continue negotiations.

- In Oregon, mountain bikers have answered a Wilderness proposal for the Mt.
Hood National Forest with an alternative that would maintain access to
singletrack while protecting all the areas in the original plan. The
alternative specifies some land parcels to be managed like Wilderness, but
allow bicycling.

- In Idaho, access to 85 miles of singletrack near Sun Valley is threatened
by proposed Wilderness. IMBA and local riders are working with government
officials to preserve this important cycling destination.

IMBA's third focus is direct communication with key federal land agencies
that manage recreation, set Wilderness regulations and oversee Wilderness
Study Areas. IMBA continues to meet regularly with federal agency officials
and develop strategies to manage trail use on public lands. IMBA recently
challenged a BLM land management plan that would ban bicycling in a
Wilderness Study Area.

Finally, IMBA will continue to evaluate the future of federal land
protection and how each agency regulates bicycling in Wilderness Areas. IMBA
believes current federal Wilderness regulations unnecessarily prohibit
mountain biking and are not based on valid resource protection concerns.
Contributing to this debate is a recently published legal analysis of the
Wilderness Act of 1964. Written by attorney Ted Stroll and published in the
Penn State Environmental Law Review, the article investigates the Wilderness
Act and argues that the current bicycle ban is inconsistent with Congress'
original intention.

IMBA remains firmly dedicated to land conservation and believes that
Wilderness designation is just one of many tools that may be employed to
protect wild places.

IMBA's policy and position on Wilderness is determined by its nine-member
board of directors with assistance from IMBA staff and consultants. To read
more about IMBA's work on Wilderness visit:
http://www.imba.com/resources/wilderness/index.html

About IMBA

Founded in 1988, the International Mountain Bicycling Association is a
nonprofit educational association whose mission is to create, enhance and
preserve trail opportunities for mountain bikers worldwide by encouraging
low-impact riding, volunteer trailwork, cooperation among different trail
user groups and innovative trail management solutions. IMBA's worldwide
network is comprised of individual members, bicycle clubs, corporate
partners and bicycle retailers.