"SebastianW" wrote in message
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The risk of injury is one that every mountain biker understands, and
thus undertakes in the sport accordingly. It is unfortunate that this
man is injured, but it is not unheard of by any means. Every aspect of
our life involves risk, even riding public transportation, something
you often advocate, and it is up to the individual to decide what
risks to take. No one forces you to ride your bike off of jumps, it is
entirely a personal choice.

Cyclists who do a lot of mountain biking do indeed know the risks, but most
neophytes do not. Their brains are full of all sorts of nonsense about how
enjoyable it can be without any awareness of the dangers. Mr. Vandeman
performs a valuable service by informing neophytes of the dangers.

Mountain bike trails often contain jumps because negotiating them is
extremely enjoyable, such that the discipline of riding called Dirt
jumping has been created specifically for that purpose. Pictured in
the link below is a series of dirt jumps of various sizes.

Single track trails for mountain bikers need to constructed especially for
them and should not be mingled in any manner with trails for hikers.
Abandoned city dumps and gravel pits would be ideal for them.

Trails that are multi-use, ie. intended for both hikers and cyclists,
will almost never have jumps on them, and if they do they will be
easily negotiable, and not feature gaps between the take off and the
landing as shown in the picture below.

"Multi-use trail" is an oxy-moron. Cyclists need their own trails just as
hikers do.

Trails that are created for the purpose of cycling on the other hand,
are free to have whatever stunts they like, as only cyclists will be
attempting them. An example of something built on a mountain biking
specific trail that shouldn't be on a multi use trail is the teeter-
totter shown in the picture below.

"Single track trails for mountain bikers need to constructed especially for
them and should not be mingled in any manner with trails for hikers.
Abandoned city dumps and gravel pits would be ideal for them." - Ed Dolan

I see no issue with stunts like jumps on mountain bike specific
trails, for the very reason that they are intended for the use of
cyclists only.

Neither Mr. Vandeman nor I care in the least if mountain bikers want to kill
themselves doing dumb things. However, we do not want these fools anywhere
near trails for hikers. Get your own trails and stay off of ours!

--
Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
aka
Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota