Comments on: Bicycles in Legal Wilderness

By: Greg B

Greg B — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 18:57:07 +0000

This is a civil discourse, and so I find it inviting to chime in. The sad role I see wilderness playing, is a divisive one. It pits people that would normally be friends, against one another.

As far as other designations that would be like a “wilderness lite”, mountain bike riders from Montana are bringing forth a “National Protection Area”. We may not get too far, but there is a great deal of grass-roots support, and so far, consistant support from adjacent county commissions. This effort has been with the support of IMBA. Indeed, the principles of our whole effort is gleaned from IMBA.

I am conflicted about the concept of allowing bikes on key trails within wilderness, or instead finding an alternative designation that fits some of our remaining wild lands that isn’t so restrictive. While we are looking hard at alternatives, if enough poorly planned wilderness is forced upon unwilling citizens, (example, the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act) the concept of wilderness will be cheapened to the point where something will break. At that point, bicycling will be probably forced back into wilderness. The efforts of wilderness groups thus far would then be compromised. It would serve everyone better to find a balance when designing where wilderness zoning is placed, rather than forcing it on others, similar to a land grab.

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:01:23 +0000

The case cited above was from the Boundary Waters Wilderness Act, which is more specific than just lands designated under the Wilderness Act. Lands designated as Wilderness can always include a provision allowing other uses not allowed under the general Wilderness Act. Congress can pass or amend any law it so pleases. A nice workaround would be to lobby for Wilderness, with the caveat that horses be excluded, and bikes included. Then, you have your case study for other areas.

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 00:00:02 +0000

Here in Ontario some of our Provincial parks provide All Terrain Wheel Chairs. Some designed like a typical wheel chair others with a wheel print like a bicycle. Well if, from above “Well, issue has really only been litigated once. Pushcarts with wheels (deemed motarized) to portage canoes having been determined mechanized and statutorily unlawful.”, a portage cart is unlawful. I guess a person person pushed in a wheelchair would be breaking the same law. What a sad state of affairs.

By: john beck

john beck — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 06:58:31 +0000

I think it unfair that certain groups use such alleged â€œtrail damageâ€? by mountain bikers as a legitimate reason to restrict areas open to equestrians from mountain bike use.

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 00:15:04 +0000

No doubt a legitimate argument can be made that “mechanized transport” means something like an internal combustion engine. And everyone’s points here about limited environmental impact are valid – AS LONG AS THEY STAY ON THE TRAIL. In Colorado that would be a no-brainer. Off-trail in the Rockies isn’t all that inviting.

But what about other wilderness environments, like open desert with cryptobiotic soil, where off-trail would be easier? What would happen to these wilderness areas? Off-trail biking would tear up the ecosystem. Trail-only rules would do nothing, as the manpower and budget to enforce such rules will never exist. The best way to prevent off-trail riding in these areas is to ban the use of bikes altogether. It’s that simple.

Earlier this year I saw a TV show about extreme mountain biking where dudes were launching themselves and doing amazing tricks normally reserved for snow sports. Very cool stuff. However, at the same time they were ripping the hell out of the hills they were landing on. How would you prevent this from happening in our wilderness? Who would be there to stop them?

Sure, in the hands of responsible people bikes are no more dangerous to the environment than feet. But for the irresponsible or just plain selfish and ignorant, it would be another story entirely.