We all know that dealing with the US Federal Government can be a royal pain in the ass, and we ‘re hardly experts in the fight for mountain bike access to the Wilderness. To us it seems the best thing to do is to get mountain bikes reclassified as “horses” and call it a day. We’d be happy with access to everything that horses have access to. In fact, don’t tell anyone, but we’ve already reclassified our bikes as horses. Apparently, there are those who disagree with us.
In their official 2016 Advocacy Position, the International Mountain Bicycling Association has announced that it will “not seek to amend the Wilderness Act of 1964.”
In regards to existing Wilderness, IMBA will pursue legislation to redraw Wilderness boundaries that would open access to select trails and trail connections for mountain biking. This includes trails that government agencies have closed to bicycles without sufficient analysis and empirical evidence of adverse impacts. This legislative effort will be pursued where IMBA has strong grassroots chapters that represent local constituents.
Nice to see they continue to be upfront about choosing their battles, but we continue to be disappointed.
For the official release from the IMBA, please follow the jump. Yes haw!
IMBA Conducts Press Conference to Announce New Plan for Wilderness
On February 18, 2016, the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) announced its 2016 advocacy position during a press conference call. The press gathering followed a meeting of IMBA’s governing board of directors on February 6, in which IMBA’s strategies regarding bike access and federally managed Wilderness were discussed in detail.
Mike Van Abel, IMBA’s President and Executive Director stated, “After thoughtful deliberation and careful consideration, including conversations with many partners and stakeholders, IMBA’s board reasserted its longstanding commitment and approach to enhancing trail access for mountain bikers.”
The organization’s 2016 advocacy position is based on three key points:
•Regarding future Wilderness proposals, IMBA believes it is unacceptable to lose access to trails currently enjoyed by people riding mountain bikes
• IMBA will investigate and pursue legislation that realigns existing Wilderness boundaries to re-open trails to people riding mountain bikes
• IMBA will not seek to amend the Wilderness Act of 1964
As an example of the organization’s strong commitment to increasing bike access, Van Abel pointed out that IMBA is actively considering the possibility of taking legal action in the Bitterroot National Forest in Montana and Idaho. Should IMBA determine there is precedence for legal action, it will ask the court whether the U.S. Forest Service properly applied the National Environmental Policy Act in its determination that bikes would diminish the wilderness character of a landscape.
“IMBA will not accept loss of access to trails on public lands where we have an organized local chapter and where other sustainable forms of recreation are permitted,” said Van Abel.
In regards to existing Wilderness, IMBA will pursue legislation to redraw Wilderness boundaries that would open access to select trails and trail connections for mountain biking. This includes trails that government agencies have closed to bicycles without sufficient analysis and empirical evidence of adverse impacts. This legislative effort will be pursued where IMBA has strong grassroots chapters that represent local constituents.
“IMBA will be strategic in directing resources toward land challenges that have the opportunity to be the most successful,” said Van Abel.
“The recent level of dialogue from mountain bikers about bike access and Wilderness speaks to the high level of engagement our community has with public lands,” said Van Abel. “We look forward to the IMBA network learning from one another’s local experiences regarding access issues at the 2016 World Summit.”
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational association. Its mission is to create, enhance and preserve great mountain biking experiences. Since 1988, IMBA has been bringing out the best in mountain biking by encouraging low-impact riding, volunteer trail work participation, cooperation among different trail user groups, grassroots advocacy and innovative trail management solutions. IMBA’s staff, chapters, partners and members work to benefit the entire mountain bike community. Learn more at IMBA.com.
