Two recent occurrences are getting me to think about where we stand and who we argue against. The first of these is the ride I took last Saturday at Bear Swamp. The second is the recent vote by the Monroe County legislature to permit a trial period for mountain biking in a couple of the county's parks.
First, Bear Swamp. This is one of the first locations I really experienced mountain biking at that was close to home. I remember riding there with my brother and friends back in the early 2000s. Many of the trails were double track created by ATVs, snowmobiles and dirt bikes. We never grumbled about the trail erosion or poor routes created by vehicles that can go straight up or down steep hills. We didn't know better but we were appreciative of a great place to ride that was close by and not off limits. Since this time, I have learned about the less than sustainable consequences that occur due to motorized off road vehicles.
The legalization of a trial period for mtb'ing in Monroe County is the result of nearly two years of consistent, organized, and level-headed advocacy on the part of many biking enthusiasts in the area. Some are labeling the biking community a special interest group and chastising lawmakers for yielding to their wishes while also infringing on the rights of hikers and others. Now these other special interest groups will have to find new places to recreate or risk being run down by out of control, inconsiderate bikers.
These events make me think about how quickly the biking community turns from trying to be inclusive to exclusive. Many times, I have heard how "bad" ATVs and the like are and that they should be prohibited from riding in places where we cyclists like to ride. I question this because if it weren't for the ATVs, would we have the privilege to ride where we do? Did the ATVs presence make hikers and other pedestrian users write off the area a loss and move to other less impacted places to preserve? In the winter at Bear Swamp, it appears the xc-skiers and snow mobilers are able to coexist. In the summer, the bikers and ATVs coexist for the most part - I did see a barrier intended to keep ATVs from getting on to a trail constructed out of logs. These barriers do nothing but encourage ATV riders to either knock them down or destroy more by finding another place to access the trails. In all the years I've ridden at Bear Swamp, I've never seen an ATV. And in the other places where I have, the riders have always been friendly - I've never been ridden down or forced off the trail.
Yet we argue from the opposite side of the fence when fighting for places to ride. We ask hikers to understand that the biking community is given a bad name by a few rogue riders who disrespect everyone, barreling down trails, skidding, and otherwise riding recklessly. Why are we, then, surprised when the opposition is, well, in opposition? Aren't we (like the ATVs) creating a change in the status quo that causes fear and uncertainty? Shouldn't we be more understanding of their position? I am not saying we shouldn't challenge the archaic laws prohibiting off-road cycling. What I am saying is that we should be more understanding of all our fellow trail users and work together to find ways that everyone can recreate in a way they enjoy. This may mean we have to give up things occasionally - like the super-flowey trail I found last week that had a few very fun but erosion-prone sections. Maybe the ATV community would be interested in learning about sustainable trail design and create a advocacy group like IMBA that travels around the country showing local clubs how to improve their favorite riding spots. And mtb'ers will need to respect the locations where they are allowed to ride by slowing down when they see hikers, maybe even stopping to say hello. A smile goes a long way, I find.
However, don't get me started on horses... no, that's not fair. I choose to ride in places that have horse use - if I didn't want to endure the mud pits and "horse exhaust" I should look for other places to ride.
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