It's about time someone does something about mountain biking and the damage it does to these areas! Unfortunately, there are a lo g of disrespectful idiots out there that are wrecking it for the responsible few (and I mean very few). As a private property owner who must deal with these trespassing bikers, it is a constant battle to stop my land from eroding, keeping bikers off my land when it's muddy, and picking up their garbage including abandoned broken bikes.

Maybe an at your own risk policy should be submitted? A compromise.. smoking is at peoples own risk along with drinking... I suppose if they could tax you for riding there it may be a different story.

Loved Montana and loved the great divide trail.

Fact - rubbish is dropped by humans other than bikers. Even the wind blows it in.

Fact - mountain bikers would not dump bikes like that. They generally cost thousands and the last thing you do is dump a real mountain bike anywhere. Sounds to me like somebody cleared out there garage and left it with you. If it's a real mountain bike stick it eBay ... You'll make a fortune.

Fact - mountain biker erosion has been studied and tires cause no more erosion than a walking boot.

As a mountainbiker of twenty years experience I'd say that most other mountainbikers are very environmentally conscious, much like myself. We're generally lovers of the great outdoors and don't want to see our natural environment degraded by anyone, including ourselves. There are times however when you're in the zone and riding hard when tyres break traction and and trail erosion occurs. This can be addressed in several non conflicting ways. First and foremost we need to always ride responsibly and courteously. Secondly, where landowners allow it, trailbuilding and repair days should be encouraged. North shore style riding evolved from wanting to avoid areas that were too fragile, dangerous or slow to ride. Implementing devices like ladder sections and berms in properly built trails not only adds to the technical difficulty of a trail but protects it's surrounding environment. Only through a real effort from both sides (and mainly ours) can this matter be resolved and before anyone panics I'm not suggesting we build elevated wooden trails absolutely everywhere. We just need to think laterally and pursue every avenue when trying to solve a problem like this. When done correctly though there can be great trails to be ridden and also great revenue opportunities for landowners such as charging for trail site services, maps etc.

As a mountainbiker here in Florida, we maintain the trails year round here in the

Withalacoochee State Forrest and the motocross riders have permission to use portions of our trails once a year for a race. This ruins the trail for several months. The motocross tire loosens up several inches of dirt. This not only causes errosion problems but can slow a mountain biker down to max 4 mph while muddling through it. I would be more fun to ride on the beach! Allowing motocross to use the same trail would just cause severe decrease of use of our trails by mountain bikers. They would look to ride elsewhere.

We will continue to support IMBA in the matter and hope that this does NOT set a precedent nationally.

Barbara

www.riverbanksoutdoorstore.com

BLOG: www.riverbanksoutdoorstore.wordpress.com