Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site varian.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!mcnc!decvax!decwrl!amd!fortune!hpda!hplabs!zehntel!varian!fred
From: fred@varian.UUCP (Fred Klink)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Mountain bikes and the environment
Message-ID: <245@varian.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 27-Sep-84 14:54:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: varian.245
Posted: Thu Sep 27 14:54:00 1984
Date-Received: Mon, 1-Oct-84 07:25:34 EDT
Organization: Varian, Walnut Creek, CA
Lines: 42



	I don't claim that my objection to mountain bikes
	on trails has any rational basis.  Its simply a 
	gut reaction based on what experience I expect on
	a "wilderness" trail.  I have always and hope I will
	always have a reasonable expectation that others
	on trails are moving at a speed similar to mine and 
	that unexpected noises are from the wildlife, not
	wild riders.

	As stated previously, this is
	the same reaction I have to other types of mechanical
	conveyances in these same situations.  Its also not
	based on any assumption that otherwise rational people
	with operate bicycles irrationally on a mountain trail.
	Rather, its a question of the appropriateness of the 
	bicycle for the situation.  The incident I related last
	time had another component:  there was a distinct
	"burned rubber" smell along the steep part of the trail
	after the cyclists passed.  I assume this was from the
	brakes and I therefore am concerned that brake fade
	will create unsafe kamakazee riders regardless of their
	actual intent.  Trails are not graded like roads and
	15-20% or more grades are common with all the usual ruts
	and bumps of a trail.  Combine this with a narrow path
	and short visibility ahead and you have an inappropriate
	place for any wheeled vehicle, especially when pedestrians
	are present.  I guess I have a few rational arguments after
	all!

	I don't believe the issues of erosion or disturbance to 
	animals will ever be shown to be serious enough in them-
	selves to be the basis for mountain bike regulations.
	Rather, I think preserving the quality of the wilderness
	experience for the majority of (foot-powered) users is
	the main concern.  On this basis I think a rational choice
	of whether to permit bikes on not can be made on an
	area by area basis similar to what's been done with off-road
	vehicles of other types.