Where trails accommodate equestrians or hikers, they could accommodate cyclists. I am not advocating that all Wilderness trails be open to bikes, or that all Wilderness areas have some trails open to bikes. I am arguing the principle that the use of bikes is not inconsistent with Wilderness protection. The political reasons for allowing bikes in some designated Wilderness are, I hope, obvious and compelling. Wilderness is designated by Congress.
New designations face opposition from a variety of interest groups.
Their passage relies in part on a strong, united political constituency. It is in the best interests of Wilderness advocates to have bicyclists as part of that constituency. A lot has happened since 1984. We are and will be increasingly involved in land-use planning. A pro-Wilderness coalition that includes organized bicyclists would be prodigious.