Mr. Vandeman and I have never yet heard a good argument for
permitting mountain biking on hiking trails. Until we do, we shall remain
steadfast in our opposition to this inappropriate use of hiking trails.

And, in your mind, you never will. Your mind is closed on the subject, don't know if quite as irretrievably as the criminal Vandeman, but you will discount any argument advanced to support the proposition.

There are several valid propositions to support it;

1. People are entitled to use a public resource; it does not belong to any one activity group

2. Environmental impact, whilst hotly contested by some, is broadly equivalent to other low-impact uses so the activity cannot be banned on that basis

3. It is a low risk (0.000123 fatalities per million miles travelled [US figures estimated]) activity and highly beneficial to cardiovascular health

4. It cannot be tenable to ban it simply because it is a 'new' use and will discomfort some existing users. On that basis, as has already been pointed out, slavery, misogyny, racism and homophobia would all be justifiable.

5. Sensible and equitable trail sharing IS possible ... despite assertions to the contrary. Not on all trails ... but on most.

6. Getting people off their backsides and exercising in the countryside is good for their health and good for their appreciation of, and thus consideration for, nature.

I rejoice every time a mountain biker is killed or injured while biking on a
hiking trail. Good riddance to bad rubbish !

"No man is an Iland, intire of it selfe; every man is a peece of the Continent, a part of the maine; if a Clod bee washed away by the Sea, Europe is the lesse, as well as if a Promontorie were, as well as if a Mannor of thy friends or of thine own were; any mans death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee." - John Donne

To rejoice in another's death or injury, when that person has not wronged you, is to become rather less human.