National Parks Service Likes Mountain Biking!

http://www.imba.com/news/news_releas..._nps_imba.html

Summary: For the first time, National Park Service leaders in
Washington, D.C., have * formally recognized mountain biking as a
positive activity, compatible with the values of our National Park
system. *

Story:

IMBA Signs Breakthrough Agreement with National Park Service
For Immediate Release
05-02-05
Contact: Pete Webber, IMBA communications director

303-545-9011


If you've ever tried to enjoy a National Park by mountain bike, chances
are you've been disappointed. With some notable exceptions, America's
premier park system is closed to off-road riding.

That's going to change with a new five-year agreement just signed by
the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) and the
National Park Service. For the first time, National Park Service
leaders in Washington, D.C., have formally recognized mountain biking
as a positive activity, compatible with the values of our National Park
system.

A benefit to millions of bicyclists is the potential opportunity for
new access to hundreds of dirt roads in National Park units that have
been closed to bicycling. While National Park Service rules require a
lengthy process to open singletrack to bicycle use, appropriate dirt
roads may be opened with a more straightforward administrative process.


"This agreement represents a true breakthrough for mountain biking,"
said IMBA Executive Director Mike Van Abel. "It opens the door for
individual park units to partner with mountain bikers and investigate
new riding opportunities on a case-by-case basis."

"The National Park Service is committed to increasing public awareness
of outdoor recreational opportunities in the national park system that
promote health and fitness," said Karen Taylor-Goodrich, the Associate
Director for Visitor and Resource Protection."And mountain bicycling in
authorized areas can be an excellent way to enjoy America's outdoor
heritage in a manner that is compatible with resource protection."

As part of the agreement, IMBA and the Park Service will initially
partner on two pilot projects to be selected later this year. The
projects will bring mountain bikers and park officials together for
on-the-ground teamwork and serve as models for future collaboration.

Additionally, IMBA will provide technical and volunteer assistance to
National Park units that are interested in improving their off-road
cycling opportunities. IMBA programs such as the National Mountain Bike
Patrol, Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew and the IMBA club network can now
apply their stewardship skills to our National Parks.

Mountain biking can be a solution to many challenges facing National
Parks today. Bicycling gets people out of their cars; away from
congested roads, parking lots and trailheads; and out into the fresh
air. Mountain biking can also encourage more active exploration of
parks and counter the societal trend toward obesity.

So what does the future hold? While mountain bikers shouldn't expect a
revolution of new singletrack in National Parks, the partnership
signals an encouraging direction for the future. With enhanced
communication and cooperation between IMBA and the National Park
Service, mountain bikers can anticipate that cycling opportunities in
National Park units will continue to improve.

The National Park Service manages 384 parks, monuments, battlefields,
buildings and recreation areas and more than 80 million acres of U.S.
public land. In 2004, National Parks hosted more than 276 million
visitors.

In 2002, IMBA formed a partnership with the Rivers, Trails &
Conservation Assistance program of the National Park Service. Rivers &
Trails helps communities build trail and greenway systems, restore
rivers and wildlife habitat, and preserve open space. Their work
largely focuses on urban and suburban locations, where demand for trail
networks is the greatest.

Visit IMBA's National Park Service Resource Page for the text of the
agreement, speaking points, NPS parks with great riding, and other
resources.

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.



--
Joz

Somebody wrote:
http://www.imba.com/news/news_releas..._nps_imba.html
lengthy process to open singletrack to bicycle use, appropriate dirt
roads may be opened with a more straightforward administrative process.

Huh? Dirt _roads_ are normally closed to MTBs in national parks?
Are these "roads" closed to all vehicles, or can I tear 'em
up in my truck? A dirt road closed to mountain bikes. That is just
stupid. Of course, if it is closed to vehicles, who can patrol it?

j

"Chris Phillipo" wrote in message
.. .


http://www.imba.com/news/news_releas..._nps_imba.html

Summary: For the first time, National Park Service leaders in
Washington, D.C., have * formally recognized mountain biking as a
positive activity, compatible with the values of our National Park
system. *

Story:


In a related story, mikey vandyman has been put on suicide watch at
Bellview.
--
_________________________
Chris Phillipo - Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
http://www.ramsays-online.com

Exxxxcellent Smithers!

j wrote:
Somebody wrote:
http://www.imba.com/news/news_releas..._nps_imba.html
lengthy process to open singletrack to bicycle use, appropriate
dirt
roads may be opened with a more straightforward administrative
process.

Huh? Dirt _roads_ are normally closed to MTBs in national parks?

Many dirt roads (and paved) are closed to non NPS vehicles.

Are these "roads" closed to all vehicles, or can I tear 'em
up in my truck?

Check 36CFR261 and 36CFR212. Closures can be to all vehicles or to a
specific group.

A dirt road closed to mountain bikes. That is just
stupid. Of course, if it is closed to vehicles, who can patrol it?

Just because it is public land, does not mean that there is public
access. A road that is closed to personal vehicles may be patrolled by
NPS vehicles ... or on foot ...or on horseback ... or by plane ... or

R

j wrote in :
Huh? Dirt _roads_ are normally closed to MTBs in national parks?
Are these "roads" closed to all vehicles, or can I tear 'em
up in my truck? A dirt road closed to mountain bikes. That is just
stupid. Of course, if it is closed to vehicles, who can patrol it?

Those are mostly fire roads, maintained for fire fighting crews.
They are closed to the public. They are patrolled by park rangers.

Ken wrote:
j wrote in :
Huh? Dirt _roads_ are normally closed to MTBs in national parks?
Are these "roads" closed to all vehicles, or can I tear 'em
up in my truck? A dirt road closed to mountain bikes. That is
just
stupid. Of course, if it is closed to vehicles, who can patrol it?

Those are mostly fire roads, maintained for fire fighting crews.

You seem to be confusing the USDA and the DOI. The vast majority of
wildland fire crews are USDA. For that matter the DOI has only two hot
shot crews Arrowhead and Alpine (Bison IHC was killed in '85). The
practice of cutting fire roads is, generally, unheard for the NPS.
Although it does occur in areas that are under joint NFS/NPS or NPS/BLM
management. Or in active fire areas ... but those "roads" are generally
restored after the fire.

R

Anyone old enough to remember Arrowhead 1,2, and 3.

Joz wrote:
http://www.imba.com/news/news_releas..._nps_imba.html

Summary: For the first time, National Park Service leaders in
Washington, D.C., have * formally recognized mountain biking as a
positive activity, compatible with the values of our National Park
system. *

Story:

IMBA Signs Breakthrough Agreement with National Park Service
For Immediate Release
05-02-05
Contact: Pete Webber, IMBA communications director

303-545-9011


If you've ever tried to enjoy a National Park by mountain bike,
chances
are you've been disappointed. With some notable exceptions,
America's
premier park system is closed to off-road riding.

That's going to change with a new five-year agreement just signed
by
the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) and the
National Park Service. For the first time, National Park Service
leaders in Washington, D.C., have formally recognized mountain
biking
as a positive activity, compatible with the values of our National
Park
system.

A benefit to millions of bicyclists is the potential opportunity
for
new access to hundreds of dirt roads in National Park units that
have
been closed to bicycling. While National Park Service rules require
a
lengthy process to open singletrack to bicycle use, appropriate
dirt
roads may be opened with a more straightforward administrative
process.


"This agreement represents a true breakthrough for mountain
biking,"
said IMBA Executive Director Mike Van Abel. "It opens the door for
individual park units to partner with mountain bikers and
investigate
new riding opportunities on a case-by-case basis."

"The National Park Service is committed to increasing public
awareness
of outdoor recreational opportunities in the national park system
that
promote health and fitness," said Karen Taylor-Goodrich, the
Associate
Director for Visitor and Resource Protection."And mountain
bicycling in
authorized areas can be an excellent way to enjoy America's outdoor
heritage in a manner that is compatible with resource protection."

As part of the agreement, IMBA and the Park Service will initially
partner on two pilot projects to be selected later this year. The
projects will bring mountain bikers and park officials together for
on-the-ground teamwork and serve as models for future
collaboration.

Additionally, IMBA will provide technical and volunteer assistance
to
National Park units that are interested in improving their off-road
cycling opportunities. IMBA programs such as the National Mountain
Bike
Patrol, Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew and the IMBA club network can
now
apply their stewardship skills to our National Parks.

Mountain biking can be a solution to many challenges facing
National
Parks today. Bicycling gets people out of their cars; away from
congested roads, parking lots and trailheads; and out into the
fresh
air. Mountain biking can also encourage more active exploration of
parks and counter the societal trend toward obesity.

So what does the future hold? While mountain bikers shouldn't
expect a
revolution of new singletrack in National Parks, the partnership
signals an encouraging direction for the future. With enhanced
communication and cooperation between IMBA and the National Park
Service, mountain bikers can anticipate that cycling opportunities
in
National Park units will continue to improve.

The National Park Service manages 384 parks, monuments,
battlefields,
buildings and recreation areas and more than 80 million acres of
U.S.
public land. In 2004, National Parks hosted more than 276 million
visitors.

In 2002, IMBA formed a partnership with the Rivers, Trails &
Conservation Assistance program of the National Park Service.
Rivers &
Trails helps communities build trail and greenway systems, restore
rivers and wildlife habitat, and preserve open space. Their work
largely focuses on urban and suburban locations, where demand for
trail
networks is the greatest.

Visit IMBA's National Park Service Resource Page for the text of
the
agreement, speaking points, NPS parks with great riding, and other
resources.

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.



--
Joz

Gotta put an X in the loss column for this one, hey Mike?