Americans will be able to enjoy better mountain biking experiences in national parks through a proposed regulation change by the National Park Service (NPS). The policy would allow park superintendents to manage bicycle trails without compromising environmental review or public comments.
Many national parks are well-suited for bicycling. Mike Van Abel, Executive Director of IMBA, said that it is a low-impact, quiet activity that can be enjoyed by the whole family. It’s a great way for kids and adults to enjoy America’s most beautiful places. We are pleased to see that the NPS is updating its regulations in order to better serve visitors.
IMBA is looking forward to the NPS’s announcement about the pending regulation changes and the ensuing public comment period. Keep checking IMBA’s website for more information and to register your comments to the NPS. Bicycling helps National Parks
By increasing mountain biking opportunities, national parks can be energized by new visitors, especially young ones. According to the Outdoor Industry Association bicycling is the most popular gateway activity for getting kids outdoors and involved in a range of outdoor sports.
We are working with many partners like IMBA to improve visitor numbers. I know how important it is to bring mountain bikersof all abilities onto public lands in gateway communities. Dean Reeder, NPS National Tourism Director. My experience shows that we can maintain a balance between resource conservation and appropriate, healthy recreational opportunities like mountain biking.
Mount biking on designated trails within national parks can also increase visitors’ appreciation of the natural world. Parks are more enjoyable to be viewed from a bicycle or on foot than inside cars or RVs. Independent scientific studies, including those done by the National Park Service have shown that mountain biking has similar environmental effects to hiking, and that it is less harmful than many other users.
IMBAs Partnership with National Park Service
The NPS and IMBA have worked together since 2005 to enhance mountain biking opportunities in national parks. More than 40 NPS properties currently host mountain biking on dirt roads and narrow trails. Each year, IMBA organizes volunteer work parties to improve eroded trails and unify trails communities in national parks. Mountain bicyclists spend nearly one million hours each year trailwork on public lands.
Christopher J. Stubbs is a NPS community planner from Virginia. He says mountain biking is a suitable activity for many National Park System units. I know firsthand the benefits bike trails can bring to a park. The IMBAs are experts in creating sustainable trails that connect all users. There is a lot of potential to bring a new generation mountain bikers into the parks system.
IMBA has requested rule changes for years
The current policy for bicycling on NPS trails dates back to 1986. It does not reflect more than 20 years worth of research and experience in managing bicycling trails on public lands. This outdated rule applies to motorized users, such as personal watercrafts, motorboats snowmobiles, ORVs, commercial trucking, mining, and aircraft. The National Environmental Policy Act requires that regulations be changed to streamline an already complicated process while still allowing for all comments and review.
Van Abel says that IMBA asked the agency to clarify the rule and streamline it in 1992 when IMBA Executive director Tim Blumenthal met with NPS Director James Ridenour. We expect to see the recognition of mountain bike trails become easier and more efficient.
