I’ll be the first to say that I’m not a fan of mountain bikes shooting down hiking trails. While there are certainly some mountain bikers who are cognizant of others, the vast majority of mountain bikers I’ve encountered have been rude, unsafe cyclists who don’t seem to be in control of their equipment; I’ve seen far more accidents involving bikers running into hikers than the other way around.
That’s not to say that I think mountain biking should be legislated out. I just don’t believe that having a bunch of speeding cyclists who can’t control their machinery sharing the road with hikers is a good thing. Mountain biking is a great outdoor sport, it is great exercise, and it results in some spectacular YouTube footage.
Mountain biking should be encouraged … and the sport should have their own separate trails; they shouldn’t share the road with hikers. The spaces where they are prohibited should remain.
From the American Hiking Society:
In recent months there has been an upsurge of organized mountain biking groups working to gain access to sections of National Scenic Trails where they are currently prohibited. These trails – or in some cases, sections of these trails – were not designed nor built to be shared with mountain bikes. Due to concerns about safety, sustainability, and the displacement of hikers on trails with heavy bike usage, AHS believes that National Scenic Trails, and/or sections of these trails, where mountain bikes are currently prohibited, should remain closed to bicycles.
American Hiking Society is now working with federal agencies, hiking clubs, and others in the outdoor recreation community to understand and address this sudden surge in attacks on certain National Scenic Trails. As a part of these efforts, we ask you to add your name to our petition to the National Park Service and the US Forest Service, asking them to protect the hiking experience on the portions of National Scenic Trails where mountain biking is currently prohibited.
Please note: AHS is not opposed to mountain biking and, in fact, has demonstrated over the past decade a genuine willingness to work alongside the mountain biking community to promote and protect trails and the outdoor recreation experience. That being said, AHS believes that trails that allow hikers to explore the outdoors without competing with bicyclists are in some instances entirely appropriate. On such trails, we invite mountain bikers to secure their bikes at the trailhead and enjoy a nice hike.
If you haven’t already, I recommend you sign the petition. You can do so HERE.
You can join the American Hiking Society HERE.